- University News Archive - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Receives $150,000 NSA Grant to Host Cybersecurity Educational Program Across Arkansas

John Hill — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 12:50:05 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has received a nearly $150,000 grant from the National Security Agency to hold a year’s worth of free cybersecurity educational events for junior high and high school students in Arkansas. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock will partner with Philander Smith College to host the 2nd Arkansas GenCyber Strength Training camp in Arkansas, which will support the state’s long-term investment in secondary school cybersecurity education. The grant will fund a free two-week cybersecurity summer camp at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in July 2023. In addition to the summer camp, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock will host a series of quarterly education events designed as escape rooms with cybersecurity challenges to get Arkansas students excited about cybersecurity education. Those working on the grant include Dr. Philip Huff, assistant professor of cybersecurity at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Sandra Leiterman, managing director of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Cyber Arena, and Dr. Suzan Anwar, a ��Vlog��ý Little Rock graduate, assistant professor, and department chair of computer science at Philander Smith College. The Arkansas GenCyber Strength Training program will be offered at no cost to up to 100 rising 7th-12th grade students in Arkansas. There will be both a virtual and in-person camp option so that students from across the state can participate even if they are unable to travel to Little Rock. Students will also participate in hands-on activities in cyber attacks and defense provided through ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Cyber Arena, which already provides cloud-based cybersecurity labs to more than 500 virtual students in Arkansas. “Students will learn how to think like a hacker and stop cyber criminals in their tracks,” Leiterman said. “Each day will feature a world-renowned expert speaker in cybersecurity and the top hands-on cybersecurity training in the region. We will bring partners from industry, academia, and professional development organizations to provide multiple pathways to a cybersecurity career.” This two-week camp focuses on the GenCyber Cybersecurity Concepts. Participants will hear from industry experts about career opportunities and will learn about cybersecurity with state-of-the art hands-on activities that allows the students to experience cyberattacks from both the victim and adversary side. “I will teach portions of the camp, provide assistance to the teachers teaching the camp, assist in content and curriculum development to ensure it is relevant and unbiased to the target audience,” Anwar said. “Philander Smith College undergraduate student researchers will assist with camp preparation and develop cybersecurity labs and the GenCyber escape room used for outreach activities.” Those interested in the GenCyber programming should for more information.

Chan Family Marks Professor’s Legacy with $6.75 Million Gift to Benefit ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Engineering Programs

John Hill — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 15:39:29 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has received a $6.75 million gift from the family of a beloved engineering professor who was responsible for establishing some of the university’s first engineering programs. The Yupo and Susan Chan Charitable Trust made the gift to fulfill the expressed vision of Dr. Yupo Chan, the founding chair of the Department of Systems Engineering, who passed away in 2020. The transformational gift will support ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s new School of Engineering and Engineering Technology and provide scholarships for engineering students for many years to come. This gift represents the fifth largest donation in the university’s history and kicks off an important moment as ��Vlog��ý Little Rock celebrates the public launch of its new capital campaign. The gift was announced Oct. 13 during the official launch celebration of the Centennial Campaign, which commemorates the university’s upcoming centennial anniversary in 2027. “Education was very important to Yupo,” his wife Susan Chan said. “Yupo’s vision boiled down to an interest in helping make ��Vlog��ý Little Rock an important center for engineering and operations research. The two things he most enjoyed about working at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock were mentoring individual students to make a difference in their lives and doing engineering research. He wanted to make a significant difference to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.” The gift from the Yupo and Susan Chan Charitable Trust, for which Susan Chan and her niece Alexandra Johnson serve as trustees, includes:

$1.5 million to establish the Yupo Chan Director of the School of Engineering Endowment
$2 million to create the Chan Wui and Yunyin Endowed Undergraduate Scholarship
$3.25 million to create the Chan Wui and Yunyin Endowed Graduate Scholarship

“Dr. Chan was an extraordinary leader and mentor,” said Dr. Christina Drale, chancellor of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “His accomplishments at this university touched many lives and helped elevate our engineering school to national prominence. This gift will continue the transformational effect on students and programs that he was known for and to which he dedicated his career.”

Dr. Lawrence Whitman, right, dean of the Donaghey College of STEM at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, is moved as a portrait of the late professor Yupo Chan is unveiled by his niece Alex Johnson, and wife, Susan Chan, who were honored for their family’s $6.75 million gift to benefit the School of Engineering and Engineering Technology.

The Yupo Chan Director of the School of Engineering Endowment will provide funds to benefit the university’s School of Engineering and Engineering Technology, which launched July 1 in the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). “Dr. Chan served as the initial chair of systems engineering and brought engineering to our campus,” said Dr. Lawrence Whitman, dean of the Donaghey College of STEM. “Dr. Chan’s legacy will continue to positively impact engineering at our university by strengthening the School of Engineering and Engineering Technology at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. We are grateful to the Chans for the transformational gift that will provide for the future of engineering on our campus.” The endowment will help attract and recruit highly qualified individuals to the position of the director of the School of Engineering, which will be named for Dr. Chan, and provide the director with the resources to further their contributions to teaching, research, and public service. The fund will also supplement university support for outstanding faculty in the school. The scholarships will provide assistance to full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students studying engineering and engineering technology at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock for education related expenses, including tuition, books, fees, and room and board. Scholarship recipients will be selected based on financial need and/or merit. The scholarships are named in memory of Dr. Chan’s parents to honor their commitment to education. During the Communist takeover of China, the country seized the family’s property, and the Chan family fled to the British colony of Hong Kong in the 1950s.

Susan Chan and Alex Johnson, wife and niece of the late Professor Yupo Chan, are honored at the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Centennial Campaign Gala for their family’s $6.75 million gift to benefit the School of Engineering and Engineering Technology. Photos by Ben Krain

“Yupo’s parents believed strongly in the value of education, that education was the path toward success in life,” Susan Chan said. “They sent Yupo to a very good Hong Kong Catholic High School that prepared him to be admitted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.” Dr. Chan received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, a master’s degree in transportation systems, and a Ph.D. in operations research, all from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His academic career included positions at the State University of New York at Stoney Brook, Penn State, the University of Washington, and the Air Force Institute of Technology. He joined ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2000, where he spent two decades as a leading engineering educator and researcher. Dr. Chan founded the Chan Wui and Yunyin Rising Star Workshop to consider the analytical relationship between mobility and communication and established a chapter of Tau Beta Pi, an honor society for engineering students, at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. In later years at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, he worked with a team of scientists to develop a small, cost-effective way to observe atmospheric levels of greenhouse gasses using CubeSats.

AY Magazine Names Collier-Tenison as 2021 Intriguing Woman

John Hill — Thu, 28 Oct 2021 13:28:55 +0000

Dr. Shannon Collier-Tenison, associate dean of the College of Business, Health, and Human Services (CBHHS) at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, has been named to A veteran of higher education for more than two decades, Collier-Tenison found it surprising to be named an intriguing woman by AY. “This was a surprise, although it’s fun to think someone might find me intriguing,” she said. “This is certainly outside of my comfort zone, as I am more of a behind the scenes person generally. Even so, it is good for me to step outside of my usual role, especially as an introvert.” After beginning her career as a teaching fellow, graduate advisor, and assistant professor of social work at the University of Texas at Arlington, Collier-Tenison joined the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock School of Social Work as an assistant professor in 2006. While she now spends her days in administrative leadership roles, Collier-Tenison said that working with students has always been the draw to higher education. “My favorite thing about working in higher education now, as it was then, is working with the students,” she said. “I enjoy teaching and mentoring individuals who are new to the field, and it is especially gratifying to see a student reach an ‘aha’ moment in class when it all (policy/practice) starts to come together. That interaction with students pushes me to continue to grow and I often say it feeds my soul, particularly as I’ve been in primarily administrative roles for so long now.” Collier-Tenison graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Hendrix College as well as a master’s degree and Ph.D. in social work from Washington University in St. Louis. She was inspired to become a social work professor after working in centers that focused on counseling and women’s programs. “My second internship in my Master of Social Work program was in student affairs at Washington University in St. Louis, where I split my time between Counseling Services and the Women’s Resource Center, a student-run center,” Collier-Tenison said. “A couple of years and some direct practice experience later, I returned to Wash U for a full-time position as the coordinator of Women’s Programs and Community Service/Women’s Crisis Counselor. I loved the blend of social work and higher education, and it was in this role that I felt called back to earn my doctorate in social work.” At ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, she served as interim dean of CBHHS, interim co-director of the School of Social Work, associate dean of the College of Education and Health Professions, interim chair of the Department of Speech Language Pathology, and interim dean of the College of Education and Health Professions. With her many years of service in mind, Collier-Tenison shared her advice for how college students can be successful in school and during their careers. “First, choose a major/profession that speaks to you, that will allow you to grow as a person, and that sets you on the road to a career that suits you,” she said. “Reach out to your professors with questions. Utilize office hours to connect with faculty. Find a cohort of peers that you connect with, whether it is a study group, individuals in your major classes, or people with shared extracurricular interests. Make the most of opportunities to work with a mentor, whether in school or in your chosen profession. While each relationship with a mentor is unique, that support and guidance is invaluable.” Collier-Tenison lives in Little Rock with her husband and twin sons. An active member of the community, she serves as an executive board member and Race Equity Committee member of Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families and volunteers at Little Rock Central High School.

Deitz becomes National Association for Gifted Children Board Member

John Hill — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 13:04:38 +0000

Dr. Christine Deitz, associate director of the Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Children at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, has been elected as a state representative to the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) Board of Directors, the largest advocacy association focused on the needs of talented children and adolescents in the U.S. Through education, advocacy, community building, and research, the NAGC aspires to help individuals who work to improve the growth and development of gifted and talented children. “Serving the children, their families, and educators of our state has prepared me for the national position,” said Deitz. “My chief role and responsibility at the state level was to advocate for all children to develop their gifts and talents, and now I will be able to do that at the national level.” Deitz is one of 15 elected board members with the responsibility to read and research current issues, engage deeply in conversations, and help the board reach a consensus on issues that impact children. She also has volunteered for the NAGC Conference Committee, where she previously attended for over 20 years, to ensure equal representation and inclusiveness. Upon leaving the Little Rock School District as the secondary coordinator for gifted services, Deitz is currently a ��Vlog��ý Little Rock faculty member going on six years in the Jodie Mahoney Center, where they work alongside the School of Education to help teachers obtain their gifted and talented licensure. “The University of Arkansas Little Rock is very fortunate to have a national leader in gifted, creative, and talented education on our campus at the Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education,” said Dr. Ann Robinson, director of the Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Children and past NAGC president. “Dr. Deitz has recently completed her term as the president of our state organization, Arkansans for Gifted and Talented Education, and is now joining the board of directors of the National Association of Gifted Children. She brings creativity, diplomacy, and keen insight to her new role as an NAGC Board member. To be sure, we appreciate her here in Arkansas, but it is also very gratifying to know that her superb leadership and her gracious collegiality are recognized across the country.” Deitz has been actively involved in NAGC since she began as a graduate student here at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. She has frequently presented at the national conferences, served as the chairperson for NAGC’s Middle Grades network, and wrote many articles on gifted education. She won the A. Harry Passow Classroom Teacher Award in 2007 and was named Doctoral Student of the Year in 2013 by NAGC. Along with her career, she served as the president of Arkansas for Gifted and Talented Education organization for two years from 2018-2020. The nationally recognized advocate’s success was no small feat running against two other well-qualified applicants and now, thanks to her, Arkansas will have a voice at the national level. Deitz’s first aim is to engage and network with the 47 states who have NAGC affiliate memberships in meaningful conversations and to support the affiliates in reaching their goals. “I’ve been in gifted education for most of my teaching career and having the opportunity to serve at the national level is truly an honor,” said Deitz. “I’m thankful to NAGC’s membership for the opportunity to serve in this capacity.” Deitz received her bachelor’s degree from Ohio University. She completed her master’s degree in gifted education and a doctorate in education leadership with a co-emphasis in gifted education from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “��Vlog��ý Little Rock has played a critical role in shaping my professional career,” said Deitz. “I’ll carry my Trojan spirit with me as I take on my new leadership responsibilities with NAGC.”

Ben Coupet Jr. Named Lou Henson National Mid-Major Player of the Week

John Hill — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 16:09:57 +0000

On the heels of a career weekend, Little Rock senior guard Ben Coupet Jr. has been named the Lou Henson National Mid-Major Player of the Week, announced Jan. 4 by College Insider. The accolade for Coupet comes hours after he was tabbed the Sun Belt Conference’s Player of the Week for the first time in his career. Coupet becomes the first Trojan in program history to be named the Lou Henson Mid-Major National Player of the Week. He is the first Little Rock player to garner national weekly honors since 2015 when Josh Hagins was named the College Sports Madness National Mid-Major Player of the Week. Coupet had a phenomenal weekend for the Trojans, helping guide Little Rock to a 2-0 start in league play with a sweep of UT Arlington. He averaged 26.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, shooting 77.3 percent from the floor, 73.3 percent from three-point range and 80 percent from the free throw line. In the Jan. 1 game, Coupet set a new career-high with 27 points, knocking down 10 of his 13 shots, including 5-of-7 from three-point range. He scored 15 of his 27 points in the second half to help the Trojans pull away for the 102-93 win over the Mavericks. The following night on Jan. 2, Coupet nearly duplicated that feat, finishing with 26 points on 7-of-9 shooting, going 6-for-8 from three point range and 6-of-8 at the free throw line with six boards. Again, he was a major factor in the second half, scoring 18 of his 26 and playing a key role in the 22-4 run that separated Little Rock from UT Arlington in the 75-62 victory. The Chicago, Illinois native came into this season as a preseason third-team All-Sun Belt selection and is averaging 10.9 points and 3.7 rebounds for the Trojans. He leads the team in qualifying three point percentage at 51.5 percent and is shooting 57.6 percent from the floor.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to honor Sheffield, Blass, and Zakrzewki as 2020 Distinguished Alumni

John Hill — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 19:53:26 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will honor outstanding graduates Ron Sheffield, ’72 and ‘89, Becky Blass, ’73 and ’82, and Katie Zakrzewki, ’20, with its Distinguished Alumni awards during a virtual ceremony at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 23. Sheffield, a former associate justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court, is the 2020 recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award, and Blass, a special associate justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court, will receive the Presidents Award. Zakrzewki, the former president of the Student Government Association and 2020 graduate with bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and anthropology, is the 2020 Edward L. Whitbeck Memorial Award. The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Alumni Association annually awards the Distinguished Alumnus Award to a Little Rock Junior College, Little Rock University, or ��Vlog��ý Little Rock alumnus. The award is reserved for individuals who have achieved extraordinary distinction in their chosen field and made special contributions to the community.�� “Ron is known for his distinguished record of service to the people of Arkansas,” said Christian O’Neal, vice chancellor for university advancement. “As a student at Little Rock University in the 60s, he helped to integrate the LRU baseball team. Later in his career, he became only the sixth African American to serve on the state’s highest court. Ron remains a visible and vocal supporter of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and of Trojan Athletics, where he is a fixture at most basketball home games.”�� After serving in the U.S. Air Force, Sheffield earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a Juris Doctor from the ��Vlog��ýLR Law School (now the William H. Bowen School of Law). In 2010, he was appointed to the Arkansas Supreme Court by Gov. Mike Beebe. His most important opinion led to the liberation of the West Memphis Three, the three young men convicted of first-degree murder of three boys in West Memphis in 1994.

Spring graduate Katie Zakrzewski is the 2020 Edward L. Whitbeck Memorial Award. Photo by Ben Krain.

He also served as deputy commissioner of the Arkansas Insurance Department, where he investigated complaints against insurance companies. This led to the establishment of a consumer division to expose insurance schemes that defrauded college students, farmers, and others. The division’s investigations resulted in millions of dollars in lost revenue for those affected in Arkansas and the nation. In 2004, Sheffield ran for lieutenant governor against Winthrop Rockefeller. He was the first African American in the school’s history to be inducted into the Lettermen’s Hall of Fame in 2014 as a baseball player. A .346 hitter who started in center field, Sheffield had a reputation as an outstanding hitter and base runner and earned NAIA All-District honors in 1971. The Presidents Award was established to recognize ��Vlog��ý Little Rock graduates who achieved success in their career, donated time and talents to their community, and remained in touch with their alma mater as a volunteer and resource person. “Becky is a passionate advocate for the university,” O’Neal said. “She is a tireless proponent for students and their involvement in campus life. She has dedicated her volunteer work to the Chi Omega Sorority as well as the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Alumni Association. Becky leans in so that students will have an experience that will make their time at the university the most memorable and meaningful. Whether it is finding the right spot to host a recruiting event, or raising money for endowed scholarships, you can count on Becky giving 110 percent.” Blass earned a bachelor’s degree in business and a Juris Doctor from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. A tireless supporter of scholarships, Blass was active in Chi Omega Sorority as a student and is still involved with the organization today. She was instrumental in establishing its first endowed scholarship and assisted in the sorority’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2014. She is also the immediate past president of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Alumni Board of Directors and has been a proponent of encouraging alumni to establish needs-based scholarships.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Testing Services recertified by the National College Testing Association

John Hill — Thu, 23 Jul 2020 16:07:26 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Testing Services has earned recertification from the National College Testing Association. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Testing Services is among a growing number of test centers in the U.S. and Canada to have completed this intensive recertification process. This recertification will be in place for five years and can be renewed by demonstrating continued compliance with national standards. Criteria for certification are rigorous and are based on the National College Testing Association Professional Standards and Guidelines, which were developed to guide post-secondary test centers in the delivery of quality testing programs. A university testing center that has received recertification is recognized for maintaining high test administration standards and for providing excellent service to a wide variety of students and community members in the performance of their duties. “I am very proud of what we do in Testing Services,” said Kimberly Bright, director of Testing Services. “National College Testing Association recertification verifies that our office upholds national testing center guidelines in order to provide the best testing environment, policies, and procedures possible for our students and community members. What a bonus for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock!” , a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of professionalism and high-quality service in the administration of testing programs, offers certification to college and university test centers that demonstrate exemplary practices. Membership numbers more than 2,200 testing professionals from 650 colleges and universities as well as 50 test companies and organizations offering test-related products and services.

Zakrzewski named 2020 Whitbeck Memorial Award winner

John Hill — Thu, 21 May 2020 09:10:53 +0000

This year’s president of the Student Government Association not only captured the hearts and minds of the student body of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, but her impressive achievements during her ��Vlog��ý Little Rock career also earned her the 2020 Edward L. Whitbeck Memorial Award.�� Katie Zakrzewski, a Donaghey Scholar from North Little Rock, earned the top graduate award while double majoring in criminal justice and anthropology at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. In the fall, she will begin the criminal justice graduate program at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Frank L. and Beverly Whitbeck established the award in memory of their son, Edward Lynn Whitbeck, who was a senior at Little Rock University, the predecessor of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, at the time of his death in 1965. Each scholar receives a personalized plaque and a monetary award. “I still can’t believe that I won,” she said. “A lot of my friends also applied, and I honest to God thought that one of my best friends won. This is pretty amazing!” Dr. Richard Harper, dean of students, described Zakrzewski as an exceptional student leader with a strong record of service.�� “As advisor for SGA, she has been an asset to the organization and has used her skills to advocate for the student body, subsequently enhancing the student experience at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock,” Harper said. “She has tirelessly volunteered and coordinated numerous community service programs and events within each organization she has been involved in and is identified as one of our top student leaders at the university. I have no doubt she will continue these endeavors and make the global community a better place for all.” In addition to SGA, Zakrzewski also served as president of the Criminal Justice Society and president of the Anthropology Club. She helped restart the College Republicans group on campus and was vice president. Zakrzewski said some people are surprised to learn that she is a conservative who advocates for climate change and environmental issues, which are considered liberal issues, but she’s very passionate about helping the environment. In 2019, she interned with Audubon Arkansas to campaign for the passing of the Solar Access Bill. “In October of 2019, my efforts as a conservative concerned about the environment caught the attention of the bipartisan organization, Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL), who covered all of my expenses in order to travel to Washington, D.C. and lobby for United States House Resolution 763, calling for carbon pricing,” she said. “I personally met with U.S. Senator Cotton, U.S. Senator Boozman, and U.S. Congressman Hill to discuss bipartisan environmental solutions.” While she is active in multiple student organizations, Zakrzewski is also passionate about helping the community. She has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arkansas, Girls of Promise, Fair Park Early Childhood Center, Arkansas Hospice, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and Be the Match bone marrow drive. “Katie is passionate about climate change and works to help make changes on campus and on a larger scale,” said Dr. Kathryn King, assistant professor of anthropology. “At ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, she spearheaded a campaign to make student dining greener by introducing reusable materials and reducing the use of disposable plastics. Katie is active in the local community as well. Katie never shies away from service whenever she sees a need. She strives to make the lives of those around her better.” Last year, Zakrzewski had two opportunities to study abroad. She studied death in the Basque culture while studying abroad in San Sebastian, Spain. Additionally, she traveled to Morocco to compete in the International Model Arab League Conference. Zakrzewski has lived much of her life by the motto, “Be the change you want to see.” For future students to be successful, she said they must be active in making the world a better place. “If you don’t like the way something is, don’t run away. Change it,” she said. “I’m very much of the opinion that taking charge and working to fix things is key. If any student wants to be successful at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, they are going to have to get involved.”

Mitchell attends State of the Union as Rep. Hill’s Guest

John Hill — Wed, 05 Feb 2020 17:46:20 +0000

Dr. Brian Mitchell, an assistant professor of history at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, attended the State of the Union on Feb. 4. U.S. Rep. French Hill, a Republican from Little Rock, invited Mitchell as his guest. In addition to the State of the Union, Mitchell also visited the Smithsonian National Museum of African History and Culture and the U.S. House of Representatives. Mitchell and Hill have worked together in recent years to honor black World War I soldiers whose history has been overlooked. In 2018, the duo worked together to obtain a Purple Heart and other medals for the family of Pvt. Leroy Johnston, a World War I veteran who was killed in the Elaine Massacre with his three brothers just months after coming home from the war. Johnston earned several military honors for his service to his country, but did not receive them at the time of his discharge or death due to racial discrimination. This collaboration was the inspiration for Hill’s introduction of the World War I Valor Medals Review Act, which reviews the military records of all minority service members during World War I to determine if they received the proper recognition. The act was included in the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. “Dr. Mitchell’s partnership was instrumental in the World War I Valor Medals Review Act being signed into law in December,” Congressman Hill said. “His work advocating on behalf of victims of past racial discrimination sets right injustices perpetrated against African Americans and other minority groups. Only by acknowledging tragedy can we begin to heal and move forward together towards a more hopeful future.” Mitchell and Hill are now working to recognize the contributions of Scipio Jones, a black attorney who rose to national prominence after successfully defending the Elaine 12, a dozen men who were sentenced to death by all-white juries after the Elaine Massacre.

Lee to Lead ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Athletic Department

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 15:10:09 +0000

University of Arkansas at Little Rock Chancellor Christy Drale has named George Lee, current senior associate athletic director and CFO, as the new athletic director for the . Lee, who joined the Athletics Department 23 years ago as business manager, assumes the position Nov. 1. He replaces Chasse Conque, who left the university in August to become vice chancellor and AD at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. “George Lee’s experience with our Trojan Athletics program, along with his thorough understanding of every aspect of NCAA Division I collegiate athletics, make him highly qualified for the position,” said Drale. “He is well respected by his colleagues and is dedicated to the success of our student athletes. This two-year appointment will give us the opportunity to review and strengthen our program under the leadership of someone who knows the program well, understands our mission, and has critical institutional insight.” Lee thanked Dr. Drale for the opportunity. “We have an outstanding program of coaches and staff who will help me continue to move ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Athletics forward,” he said. “Our student-athletes are talented not only in their respective sports but also in the classroom. Last year our athletes’ GPA average was one of the highest percentages in program history.” The new athletic director pointed out that this is the university’s inaugural year of men’s wrestling, and many fans are enthusiastic about starting the state’s only Division I wrestling program. Lee commended the members of the Trojan Athletic Foundation for their support and assistance in raising funds for the program and helping raise the profile of the Trojans. “We wouldn’t be where we are today without them and all of our fans and supporters over the years,” he said. “We will continue to lean on them and the community to back Little Rock’s Team and generate enthusiasm for the program.” Lee urged central Arkansans to come out to beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15, in the Jack Stephens Center. Men’s and women’s basketball coaches, players, and the Trojans Dance Team will be introduced during an evening of activities and refreshments. Season ticket holders can pick up their tickets and schedules for the 2019-20 season. A 1987 graduate of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, he is married to Joni Lee, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock vice chancellor of University Affairs. They have two children.

- University News Archive - ����Vlog��ý Little Rock

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Receives $150,000 NSA Grant to Host Cybersecurity Educational Program Across Arkansas

Chan Family Marks Professor’s Legacy with $6.75 Million Gift to Benefit ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Engineering Programs