Norvell Thomas
Norvell Thomas first made a go at earning his college degree in the mid-1980s in northern Illinois. Now, the Kankakee, Illinois, native and nursing major is ready to complete his college career at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Norvell, a 56-year-old, first-generation student, is one of the 72 new Trojans who attended student orientation Jan. 10 at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, where they talked about their hopes for the future.
鈥淚 was in college when I was younger. I started working, got on academic probation, and then had to stop college to focus on working,鈥� Norvell said.
As a hospital training coordinator, Norvell has provided training for nursing students whose instructors encouraged him to return to college.
鈥淚 work for the Arkansas Department of Health in the training department,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he nursing instructors at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock asked me if I was a nurse. When I said no, they encouraged me to become a nurse because they said I was so good with the nursing students during their training.鈥�
In 2009, he moved to Arkansas following a death in the family.
鈥淚 had a cousin who was diagnosed with cancer and passed away,鈥� Thomas said. 鈥淢y uncle is a pastor, and I thought it was my calling to come and assist him in his ministry.鈥�
John Easdon
Now, the pastor and former professional gospel singer is looking forward to a career as a travel nurse.
鈥淣ursing is very rewarding. Travel nursing is my goal after I work at the state level first,鈥� Thomas said. 鈥淚 love the diversity in the nursing program and learning from people from around the world about different cultures and places. I can share some life experiences with the younger generation.鈥�
Another new student, North Little Rock-native John Easdon, is excited to start school so he can concentrate on what鈥檚 important in life.
鈥溙切腣log传媒 Little Rock is close to home and gave me the best scholarship,鈥� Easdon said. 鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to learning the stuff that I want to learn. Science classes are my favorite.鈥�
After graduation, Easdon, a nursing major, plans to join the military.
Maddie Becker
Maddie Becker, a Colorado Springs, Colorado, native who graduated from Jacksonville Lighthouse Charter School, is looking forward to starting her journey to become a broadcast journalist.
鈥溙切腣log传媒 Little Rock is close to my family,鈥� said Becker, a mass communication major. 鈥淚 know a lot of people who go here and say good things about the school. After graduation, my goal is to become a broadcast journalist and work for 鈥楪ood Morning America鈥� or the 鈥楾oday鈥� show.鈥�
Alexander Burks
Future physician Alexander Burks, of North Little Rock, is a fall 2019 college graduate who is here to take some prerequisites for medical school.
鈥淚 just graduated from Hendrix College as a Spanish major, but I am here to take organic chemistry and biochemistry so I can go to 糖心Vlog传媒MS,鈥� Burks said. 鈥淎t 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, I鈥檓 looking forward to furthering my education and learning new things.鈥�
