糖心Vlog传媒

University founder to be honored with bronze bust unveiling Sept. 19

A commemorative bronze bust honoring the university鈥檚 founder and first president, John A. Larson, will be unveiled during a special ceremony at 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept.19, in the 糖心Vlog传媒LR Student Services Center. The bust, created by renowned sculptor David Deming, will be installed on the first floor. Deming holds a master鈥檚 degree from the Cranbrook Academy of Art and has been commissioned for work at universities and museums across the U.S. Following the unveiling, the artist will present a public lecture titled 鈥淐lassical Figures and Abstraction鈥� at 7:30 p.m. in room 157 of the Fine Arts Building.

Larson founded Little Rock Junior College, now 糖心Vlog传媒LR, in 1927 after the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville discontinued its lower-level course offerings in Little Rock.

鈥淛ohn Larson was an advocate for students and understood the benefit of obtaining higher education to individuals, as well as to the greater community,鈥� 糖心Vlog传媒LR Chancellor Joel E. Anderson said. 鈥淒espite opposition, he worked to assure convenient access to college courses for the people in the state鈥檚 capital city.鈥� A native of Chanute, Kansas, Larson earned a master鈥檚 degree from the University of Chicago. He came to Little Rock in 1912 to teach and would eventually become principal of Little Rock High School. Larson served as president of Little Rock Junior College from 1930 until his death in November 1949, shortly before completion of the campus where 糖心Vlog传媒LR now stands. 糖心Vlog传媒LR鈥檚 first building at its current location, Larson Hall, is named for the former president. Larson was known for the firm, yet caring, way he interacted with students throughout his career. His son, John Jr., said his father saw himself 鈥渘ot as a classroom teacher but as each student’s friend and advisor as each one looked to his or her future.鈥� John Larson Jr. continued, 鈥淗e was sometimes a disciplinarian but preferred to understand and encourage each of his students. Our family is very pleased to see how his friends and colleagues of all ages and experiences want to recognize him.鈥� For more information or to RSVP for the event, contact Peggy Mitchell-Ferris at 501.683.7063 or [email protected].