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

Boy next door leads to new campus family at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 06 Dec 2018 23:32:39 +0000

A tip from the boy next door led Lucee Lugo, a senior interdisciplinary studies major, to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where she gets the intimacy of a small, family campus that appeals to this small-town girl from De Queen, Arkansas. “While I never pictured myself at this university, the moment I set foot on campus, I knew it was the school for me,” she said. “My next-door neighbor, James Sellers, who is a year ahead of me mentioned that I should apply. I remember being so afraid to move from a small, rural town to the big capital city of Little Rock. This university has a family type feeling that appealed to me.” Lugo started college with a full scholarship through the Chancellor’s Leadership Corps (CLC), a competitive scholarship based on leadership, service, and high school performance. She is doing well in CLC and is now a student peer mentor and event coordinator for the academic year. “I received the Chancellor’s Leadership Corps Scholarship Program and so that was where I began to make my first friends,” Lugo said. “We all lived together on the third floor of West Hall. As I began to make friends and meet people on campus, I became involved in Greek life, the Baptist Campus Ministry, intramural sports, admissions, and an orientation leader. I really began to find my place at the university the more I put myself into various activities and organizations. I am now going into my senior year and can’t wait to spend my last year at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock actively involved.” She is thankful to CLC Coordinator Amber Wolf for making a positive impact on her college experience. “The Chancellor’s Leadership Corps has blessed me in a plethora of ways that range from scholarships to lifelong connections to providing me with knowledge and skills that I will be able to use in the real world,” she said. “The coordinator, Amber Wolf, has always been an advocate for CLC scholars and it’s comforting to know her door is always open. In addition to this, I have worked for the program as a peer mentor for a year and half, and it’s very inspiring to be able to give back to the program that gave so much to me.” While at campus, Lugo has also been active in West Hall Council, Maroon Mob, and Pre-Health Club. This past spring, she had the opportunity to complete an internship as a research assistant in the emergency room at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. “My favorite part of being on campus and the thing I will miss the most when I leave is the community,” she said. “No matter what you are involved in, I feel like we are all tied together. Being able to be in a class and know some of my classmates, or being in Greek life and CLC, I know that all these people have my back, I have some great teachers, and I like the small student-to-teacher ratio. I like how we still have a close-knit feeling. There are a lot of faculty and staff who want us to grow not only in the classroom, but in our lives as well. That is something you don’t always find in larger campuses.” Lugo started off as a biology major, but she recently switched to interdisciplinary studies so she can make the most of her education. The interdisciplinary studies degree allows Lugo to combine three areas of study – biology, Spanish, and health and exercise science – into one unique degree that fits her academic and professional interests. She is especially looking forward to improving her language skills to connect with her own heritage. She also thinks knowing more Spanish will be of help in her work as a patient care technician at Baptist Health.

Lucee Lugo studies in Ottenheimer LIbrary. Photo by Benjamin Krain.

“My father is Puerto Rican and is the pastor of a Hispanic church in De Queen,” she said. “My dad is fluent, but I did not grow up speaking Spanish, and it gives me a chance to learn about my own culture.” Faith has always been a strong part of Lugo’s identity, whether it is being active in the Baptist Campus Ministry at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock or the annual trip to Ethiopia that her hometown church, First Baptist Church, takes. “There are about 175 students in Ethiopia who are orphans or have lost one parent,” she said. “A bunch of people from our church sponsor them for $38 dollars a month because the students cannot go to school without uniforms and supplies. We bring toys, do crafts, play soccer, and do Bible camp. It’s so neat to just give back. It’s one of the best feelings ever.” After she graduates in 2019, Lugo plans to earn a master’s degree and is considering working in student affairs or public health. “While I am still not 100 percent sure of what my future plans are, I would like to pursue a master’s degree,” Lugo said. “Whatever path I choose, I am confident I will succeed because this university has done a phenomenal job of preparing me for whatever lies ahead.” Lugo’s advice for new students is to take advantage of all the resources that are available on campus. Whenever she needed advice or someone to talk to, there was always someone available for Lugo. “I think something we all have in common, whether we realize it or not, is that we all need help from time to time,” she said. “Whether that be a need for counseling services, health services, financial aid, or even tutoring assistance, it’s important to remember that we are all struggling in one way or another. The transition from high school to college and from college into adulthood is difficult and utilizing the resources that have been made so readily available to students here at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock can make all the difference in terms of one’s college experience.” In the upper right photo, Lucee Lugo plays soccer on the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Intramural league. Photo by Benjamin Krain.

Gu finds second home a world away

Tue, 04 Dec 2018 16:34:56 +0000

Junior Christina Gu may have grown up thousands of miles away, but Arkansas is as much a home to her today as her birthplace is. Gu has been a student at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock since August of 2016 and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in accounting and is set to graduate in May of 2020. Originally from Jiaxing, China, a large city with a population of over 4 million, Gu enrolled in a foreign exchange program when she was in high school and soon left for the United States. The host family that chose her lived in Prattsville, a small town in Grant County with a population of about 300. They had a daughter the same age as Gu, and both girls attended high school in nearby Poyen. “My host family is my second family. My host sister is my sister,” said Gu. “I still go home to China for holidays, but while I’m here they are my home.” In her first year in Arkansas, Gu developed an interest in accounting from her host mom, a CPA, who introduced her both to what she does in her career as well as how taxes and other financial systems operate in the United States. At Poyen High School, Gu also was mentored by her guidance counselor, who happens to be the mother of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Chancellor’s Leadership Corps Program Coordinator Amber Wolf. Gu soon decided that ��Vlog��ý Little Rock was where she wanted to go. “She told me about ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and CLC, and about what her daughter did. When I got here they made everything so easy. Amber, in particular, has made everything less stressful for me, and I’m really lucky to have her here,” said Gu. “I got in touch with International Student Services next. They’re really sweet and they know what they’re doing, and Miss Chloe is my fave!” At ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Gu has found a place where she can develop academically, professionally, and personally. Aside from CLC, she also joined Chi Omega, which she describes as “the best sisterhood I could ask for.” She has served as president of the Chinese Student and Scholars Association and is currently working toward membership in Beta Alpha Psi, the accounting honor society. “��Vlog��ý Little Rock is a small campus, but everyone is very kind and welcoming,” Gu said. “I also enjoy the multiculturalism and how everyone here is from a different background. I think it’s great how not everyone here is a traditional student. I’ve gotten to meet so many kinds of people because of that.” Although her major is in accounting and finance, Gu says that her true passion lies in fashion, in which she hopes to build a career. “This may sound weird, but I just love fashion,” Gu said. “I love everything from streetwear to high-end things. I’m hoping that one day I can use my business background that I’m getting here to work in marketing or something similar in the fashion industry.” In her relatively short time here, Gu says that above all else the state of Arkansas continues to impress her, and she plans on staying as long as she can. “Growing up in a big, crowded city in China I had never seen nature like we have in Arkansas,” she said. “I’m still seeing things every day that really put things into perspective. Little Rock is such a great city, and I’m thankful that I get to study here. I plan on staying involved for as long as and in any way that I can.”

Metro BCM Team wins Reach 13,000 Dodgeball Tournament

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 31 Aug 2018 19:39:46 +0000

The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Reach 13,000 Campaign kicked off with a dodgeball tournament that ended in an all-out battle between two campus ministry teams. The tournament finale came down to a showdown between (Baptist Collegiate Ministry) Team #1 and Metro BCM Team No. 2. Metro BCM Team No. 1 came out on top as the winner. Amber Wolf, coordinator of the Chancellor’s Leadership Corps, which sponsors the Reach 13,000 Campaign, would argue that everyone came out a winner in the end. The winning team members include Chyna Dial, Anthony Freeman, Hunter Hobby, Sam Jordan, Lucee Lugo, Logan Snapp, Nia Washington, Mat Wheeler, and Taemora Williams. “We had 23 great teams that came out and participated in our second annual dodgeball tournament,” she said. “The battle was intense, but everyone had a great time. In the end, we received more than 2,900 donations for the Reach 13,000 Campaign, which is almost double what we collected last year. That will greatly benefit three community organizations that help a lot of people.” The hosts four events to raise support for the Reach 13,000 campaign. These donations are given to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Trojan Food Pantry, Staff Senate Helping Hands Committee, and the 12th Street Clinic. The next event is Constitution Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 17, with a voter registration drive, free Constitution handouts, and a bake sale, followed by the Fall Festival and kickball tournament in October and the annual Battle of the Talents on Nov. 8. An additional element of the campaign is a campus wide competition to see which ��Vlog��ý Little Rock student organization and department collects the most items for the food drive. At the end of the campaign, the winners will receive a trophy in honor of their dedication to fighting hunger. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock departments and organizations can request a food drive donation box by. The most needed items include children’s books and coloring books, crayons, markers, toothbrushes, toothpaste, personal hygiene products, corn, cornbread mix, rice, pasta, Kool-Aid, peanut butter, jelly, cereal, Ramen noodles, and bottled water, as well as cans of green beans, beans, chicken, tuna, potatoes, fruit, pasta sauce, and soups. For more information, contact Amber Wolf at clc@ualr.edu. In the upper right photo, Metro BCM Team No. 1 came out on top in the 23-team dodgeball tournament that raised nearly 3,000 donations for the Reach 13,000 Campaign.

Trojan Food Pantry, Career Closet to hold open house Aug. 31

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 14:21:04 +0000

The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Trojan Marketplace Food Pantry and Career Closet will hold an open house from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 31. The food pantry and career closet are located on the second floor of the Administration North Building. The open house theme is “Stock the Shelves” as donations will be accepted on behalf of the food pantry. Trivia games, prizes, and refreshments will also be available. The most needed items include canned fruit, vegetables, meat, beans, and soup, as well as whole grain pasta and rice, cereal, and peanut butter. For more information, contact Amber Wolf at anwolf@ualr.edu or 501-569-8240.

Reach 13,000 Campaign kicks off with dodgeball tournament

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 13:49:34 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is beginning its annual Reach 13,000 Food Drive with a dodgeball tournament on Friday, Aug. 24. The dodgeball tournament will be held from 3-6 p.m. in the Donaghey Student Center Fitness Center and marks the final event of welcome week activities for Trojan Daze Week. Teams who want to participate in the dodgeball tournament can sign up through. The entry fee is a $100 cash donation or a donation of 60 nonperishable food items per team. Teams can have 9-12 players and must include three female and three male team members. At least one member must be a ��Vlog��ý Little Rock student, employee, or graduate. The hosts four events to raise support for the Reach 13,000 campaign. These donations are given to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Trojan Food Pantry, Staff Senate Helping Hands Committee, and the 12th Street Clinic. Additional events include Constitution Day on Sept. 17 with a voter registration drive and bake sale, the Fall Festival and kickball tournament in October, and the annual Battle of the Talents on Nov. 8. An additional element of the campaign is a campus-wide competition to see which ��Vlog��ý Little Rock student organization and department collects the most items for the food drive. At the end of the campaign, the winners will receive a trophy in honor of their dedication to fighting hunger. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock departments and organizations can request a food drive donation box by. The most needed items include children’s books and coloring books, crayons, markers, toothbrushes, toothpaste, personal hygiene products, corn, cornbread mix, rice, pasta, Kool-Aid, peanut butter, jelly, cereal, Ramen noodles, and bottled water, as well as cans of green beans, beans, chicken, tuna, potatoes, fruit, pasta sauce, and soups. For more information, contact Amber Wolf at clc@ualr.edu.