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

International student leaves behind a legacy of leadership

Wed, 15 May 2019 18:53:23 +0000

For the past four years, Ann Kharlamova has considered the University of Arkansas at Little Rock her second home, where she has been able to grow, make friends, and gain invaluable professional experience. Kharlamova, a native of Cherepovets, Russia, first came to the United States as a high school exchange student in Texarkana during her junior year. After returning to Russia and graduating, she was recruited by ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s swim team. On May 11, she graduated with two bachelor’s degrees in marketing and business analytics. “Ann has been a pillar of leadership in our program over the last four years,” said ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Swimming and Diving Coach Amy Burgess. “She left an impression wherever she went on campus.” Kharlamova’s accomplishments go beyond the swim team. She also served as an ambassador in the Chancellor’s Leadership Corps and worked for Testing Services. “I’m not going to lie. It was challenging,” Kharlamova said. “There was a lot of time management involved, but I realized that the sky is your only limit.” Outside of her busy life as a student, worker, and athlete, Kharlamova still found the time to make lifelong friends despite being thousands of miles away from her friends and family in Russia. “I enjoyed every night I spent with my girls on the swim team, and every single practice we had was memorable,” Kharlamova said. “Our freshman year training trip to Puerto Rico was especially memorable. We got to go to the best beaches, but it was also very challenging. It really prepared all of us for competitions.” As a student, Kharlamova excelled in her coursework and became very involved in research during her senior year. She and another student recently gave an award-winning presentation at the 2019 Student Research and Creative Works Expo and also presented the same project at a major business law conference in San Antonio. “It’s great to see how your hard work pays off. I’m very thankful to Dr. Casey Rockwell (Kharlamova’s faculty mentor) for convincing us to do this with her,” Kharlamova said. After graduation, Kharlamova plans to stay in Arkansas and work a few years before pursuing a master’s degree in a business-related field. She encourages anyone, regardless of where they live or what they want to do, to consider ��Vlog��ý Little Rock for their education. “Your experience is what you make it, no matter where you go. I truly believe that you need the heart of a Trojan to be here, and I see that in my classmates and teammates,” she said. “We have great programs, and you get a level of one-on-one attention from your professors here that I don’t see at other schools. I’m very thankful to have been here.”

Trojans dedicate scoreboard in honor of Coach John Torbett

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 13:49:00 +0000

Little Rock added another major upgrade to its athletic facilities with the John F. Torbett Memorial Scoreboard at the Donaghey Aquatic Center. The new scoreboard will greatly enhance the Trojans’ swimming and diving meets while honoring one of the program’s cornerstones. The scoreboard, which was officially dedicated prior to the Little Rock Invitational on Saturday, October 20, measures 17 and a half feet wide by nine feet high with a 10mm full color LED matrix display. The $70,000 project was made possible by generous donations from Little Rock swimming and diving alumni as well as friends and supporters in the Little Rock swimming community. “This scoreboard is a tremendous upgrade to the Donaghey Aquatic Center, bringing us to the forefront in terms of technology and what we are able to do with this new board,” said head coach . “It is a great way to honor Coach Torbett and we are so thankful and appreciative of everyone who donated to help make this a reality.” Coach Torbett was the head coach of the Little Rock swimming and diving teams from 1969 until 1984. During his time at the helm of the Trojans, his teams compiled a dual meet record of 91-39-1, including a program-best 33-meet winning streak. “I cannot think of a more fitting tribute to a man who has influenced so many lives over a long and distinguished career,” said Senior Associate Athletic Director , who competed for Little Rock under coach Torbett. “It is important to acknowledge what this means to the swimming community in this region of the country, elevating the Donaghey Aquatic Center to a level that makes it one of the premier competitive and training venues in this part of the country. My gratitude to the legion of donors who made the purchase of the scoreboard possible.” “This project could not have been possible without the private support of our lettermen, alumni and the central Arkansas swimming community,” said Associate Athletic Director . “We are eternally grateful to coach Torbett, the entire Torbett family and our own in making this program and community what it is today. We look forward to seeing this new addition to the Donaghey Aquatic Center continue to enhance the Little Rock swimming and diving program, as well as serving the central Arkansas community, for years to come.” Along with the scoreboard honoring Coach Torbett is a donor recognition board, recognizing those whose generosity helped make the new scoreboard a reality. Those wishing to support the project, as well as the Trojan swimming and diving program, can contact , Little Rock’s director of athletic development, at (501) 569-3449 or twbaldwin@ualr.edu.

Dates for 2018 Summer Swim Academy announced

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 04 May 2018 13:39:22 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock swimming and diving team will host its annual summer group swimming lessons for children ages 4-12 in four summer sessions beginning on June 4 at the Donaghey Aquatic Center. Group sessions include eight 30-minute lessons over a two-week period and will meet Monday through Thursday. Groups will consist of no more than five children and will be determined by swimming ability and age. The first session will take place June 4-7 and June 11-14 while the second session will take place June 18-21 and June 25-28. The third session will happen July 9-12 and July 16-19, and the fourth session will occur July 23-26 and July 30-Aug. 2. Session times of 4:30-5 p.m., 5 p.m.-5:30 p.m., 5:30-6 p.m., and 6-6:30 p.m. are available. Participants will meet in the Donaghey Aquatic Center on the south end of the pool by the bleachers. Each group will be supervised by coaching staff, and lifeguards will be on duty. Every child will be encouraged to try something new and develop their skills in each lesson. Children of all levels of swimming ability are welcome. Both ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and non-��Vlog��ý Little Rock families are welcome. Spots are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. The cost is $75 for all eight group lessons with credit cards and bank account withdrawals accepted. Private lessons will be available for $25 per 30 minutes for a one-on-one session. Payment for those will be made onsite at time of lesson. For more information or to schedule a lesson, contact at ualrswim@gmail.com or 501-529-4041.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock hosts summer camps

Ajani Oyindamola — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 13:58:57 +0000

Looking for an engaging summer program to keep a motivated student academically challenged, or interested in having the student explore a new interest? The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is hosting a variety of summer camps in musical theatre, writing, engineering, computer coding, robotics, geology, transportation, swimming, and more. Young Writers Camp Dates: June 11-15, 8 a.m. to noon Grades: 3-6 Cost: $125 Contact: Pam Maisen, 501-951-6574 Emerging Writers Institute Dates: June 25-29, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Grades: 6-8 Dates: June 25-29, 1:30 to 5 p.m. Grades: 9-12 Cost: $125 Contact: Greg Graham, gxgraham@ualr.edu MT Stage: The Hamilton Experience Dates: June 25-29 with Student Showcase at 2 p.m. June 29 Grades: 7-9 Cost: Free Contact: 501-569-3410 or ��ڳٱ�峦��Գٱ��ܲ��.��

“MT Stage: The Hamilton Experience”

Summer Laureate University for Youth (SLUFY) Dates: July 9-20, 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Grades: K-8 Cost: $300 Contact: 501-569-3410 or giftedcenter@ualr.edu AP (Advanced Placement) PREP Boot Camp Dates: July 23-27, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Grades: Arkansas high school students enrolled in advanced placement courses in biology, calculus, chemistry, English, English literature, and statistics for fall 2018 Cost: Free

Each VEX Robotics camp costs $175 and includes a T-shirt, snacks, and robotics competition on the final day of camp. Contact Sandra Leiterman at saleiterman@ualr.edu for more information. VEX IQ for beginners Dates: Session 1: July 9-13, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Dates: Session 2: July 16-20, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Grades: 3-6 Girl Powered VEX EDR Dates: July 9-13, 1 to 4 p.m. Grades: Girls 6-12 VEX EDR Dates: July 16-20, 1 to 4 p.m. Grades 6-12 VEX IQ – Advanced session Dates: Session 1: July 23-27, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Dates: Session 2: July 23-27, 1 to 4 p.m. Grades: 3-6

Neva Dagtas (middle) of Little Rock celebrates as her robot, “Walle Jr.,” wins the robotics camp competition for fifth and sixth graders in June 2017.

George W. Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology free residential summer camps

For the following camps, contact Vernard Henley, assistant dean of the College of Engineering and Information Technology, at 501-569-8203 or vwhenley@ualr.edu for more information. High School Research Program Dates: July 9-28 Grades: 8-11 Applications due April 20 Engineering Scholars Program Dates: Session 1: June 17-23 Dates: Session 2: June 24-30 Grades: 8-11 Applications due April 20 EIT Middle School Summer Science Camp Dates: Session 1: July 8-13 Dates: Session 2: July 15-20 Grades: 5-7 Applications due April 30 Geology Camp Dates: June 10-15 Grades: 8-11 Applications due April 20 Girls Coding Camp Dates: July 22-27 Grades: 7-8 Applications due April 20

Trojan Athletics summer camp

Contact: Amy Burgess, amburgess1@ualr.edu Session I: June 4-7, June 11-14, Ages 4-12, $75 for eight lessons Session 2: June 18-21, June 25-28, Ages 4-12, $75 for eight lessons Session 3: July 9-12, July 16-19, Ages 4-12, $75 for eight lessons Session 4: July 23-26, July 30 – Aug. 2, Ages 4-12, $75 for eight lessons Session times of 4:30-5 p.m., 5 p.m.-5:30 p.m., 5:30-6 p.m., and 6-6:30 p.m. are available. Contact: Logan Dahms, lmdahms@ualr.edu Dates: June 11-14, June 25-28 Ages 5-8, Mini Camp, $120, and Ages 9-17, Regular Camp, $220 Contact: Steve Wiedower, slwiedower@ualr.edu, Robert Dallimore, rjdallimore@ualr.edu, Team Camp 1: June 21-22, $180 per day Team Camp 2: Aug. 1-3, $180 per day Advanced Skills Camp: June 23-24, Grades 9-12, $100 Mini Camp: June 18-20, Grades 1-4, $75 Individual Camp: June 18-20, Grades 5-12, $100 Contact: Van Compton, 501-607-2056 Hitter/Setter Camp: July 9-10, Grades 8-12, $50 Serve/Serve Receive Camp: July 1-12, Grades 8-12, $50 Defensive Specialist Camp: July 13, Grades 8-12, $35 Individual Camp: July 16-19, Grades 4-12, $150 Senior High Team Camp: July 23-24, $50 Junior High Team Camp: July 25-26, $50 Contact: Kyle Giusti, kjgiusti@ualr.edu Summer Kids Skills Camp: June 18-20, Grades 1-7, $150 Summer Showcase: July 19, Grades 9-12 and junior college athletes, $150

Swimming and diving team breaks nine school records at Missouri Valley Conference Championship

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 23 Feb 2018 14:47:33 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock swimming and diving team members broke nine school records while competing in the Missouri Valley Conference Championship Feb. 14-17 at the University of Iowa. On the first day of the event, Laura Ruiz Astorga, Nuria Gallego Murcia, Isabelle Finzen, and Emma Doll broke the school record for the 200-yard medley relay with a time of 1:44.11 — over a second faster than the previous record set in 2014. On Feb. 15, senior finished third in the A-Final of the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 4:54.33, breaking her previous school record of 4:54.47. “It is awesome to see Tori finish one of her favorite events with a third place and a school record,” Head Coach said. “She worked so hard for this and is more than deserving of this.” In the 200-yard freestyle relay, the team of , , , and Ruiz Astorga recorded a time of 1:34.32, breaking the record of 1:34.52 that Goff, Doll, and Ruiz Astorga set last year along with former teammate Courtney Coe. Two more school records fell for Little Rock swimming and diving in day three of the Missouri Valley Conference Championship on Feb. 16. Ruiz Astorga placed fifth going into the finals with a time of 55.87. Her time was .34 seconds faster than her own time set at last year’s MVC Championship. broke her second school record in two days while competing in the 200-yard freestyle as she finished fourth in the A-final with a time of 1:50.28. Fryar smashed her own record of 1:51.52 set in last year’s MVC Championship — 1.24 seconds better. In the final day of the championship on Saturday, Feb. 17, Little Rock swimming and diving broke four more school records while also medaling in the 400-yard freestyle relay. The next record to fall in another big weekend for Little Rock was in the 400-yard freestyle relay as the team of , , Ruiz Astorga, and medaled with a third-place finish and a time of 3.26.03 — 1.12 seconds faster than the previous record. Fryar had a big evening in the pool as she took a fourth-place finish in the 1,650-yard freestyle, breaking her 1000-yard record at the split with a time of 10:12.08 and then breaking the 1,650-yard time at 16:56.21. The split time edged out her own previous record by over eight seconds while her 1,650 time was 8.98 seconds faster than also her own previous record. broke another record, taking down her previous 200-yard backstroke time of 2:03.14 with a fifth-place finish time of 2:01.47. Fryar was named to the All-MVC First Team in the 500-yard freestyle. Gray, Ruiz Astorga, Doll, and van Huyssteen were all named All-MVC Honorable Mentions for their performances. As a team, Little Rock finished the MVC Championships in sixth place with a final score of 363.5 points.

9-year-old Edyn Walterhouse joins ��Vlog��ý Little Rock swimming and diving team

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Fri, 22 Sep 2017 14:39:27 +0000

Nine-year-old Edyn Walterhouse made her future ambitions known as she signed a National Letter of Intent to join the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s at the Donaghey Aquatic Center on Sept. 20. Walterhouse’s signing was assisted by Team IMPACT, whose mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses through the power of team. In 2017, Edyn was diagnosed with a rare, degenerative neuromuscular disease called CAPOS Syndrome. “We’ll do everything we can to include Edyn in our team activities,” Little Rock swimming and diving head coach said. “We’ll do specific activities with her, and it’s going to be huge for her to cheer us on at practice and our swim meets.” Edyn has been an inspiration to the team, Burgess said. “No matter how tough life gets, it’s amazing when she comes onto the pool deck,” Burgess said. “The few times that she has come with us, it’s been smiles and excitement, and you can see it in her. It’s fun to watch the girls want to get to know her and try to talk to her. It’s wonderful to see these girls get out of their comfort zone and everyday college life to connect with someone like Edyn Grace.” Team IMPACT children are drafted onto college athletic teams, close to where they live, and to the greatest extent possible, become a member of the team from signing day to graduation. “It means a lot to a little girl to have some female role models to love on her and encourage her when she’s down,” Edyn’s mother Michelle Walterhouse said. “It’s great seeing how excited she gets to spend time with other ladies.” Team IMPACT is a national nonprofit headquartered in Boston that connects children facing serious or chronic illnesses with college athletic teams, forming life-long bonds, and life-changing outcomes. Since 2011, Team IMPACT has matched more than 1,200 children with more than 450 colleges and universities in 46 states, reaching over 35,000 participating student-athletes. The child joins the athletic team and the student-athletes join the child’s support team. Throughout the journey, the child gains strength, camaraderie, and support while the student-athletes experience lessons of courage, resiliency, and perspective they can’t learn in a classroom. “We’re thankful for the opportunity that Team IMPACT provides and that Little Rock swimming and diving is willing to partner with us and invite her to be a part of the team,” Edyn’s father Jonathan Walterhouse said. “We know she likes to cheer people up, and she’s excited to be part of a great team like this. She loves water, and any chance she gets to get in the water with the team, she’s going to take advantage of it.” In the upper right photo, Edyn Walterhouse signs a letter of intent to join the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock swimming and diving team. Pictured, from left to right, include the Trojan Man, Swimming and Diving Head Coach Amy Burgess, and the Walterhouses: Jonathan, Michelle, Jaiden, Levi, and Edyn.

Trojans will attempt to break world record while raising awareness of global drowning pandemic

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 13:46:57 +0000

In collaboration with the International Water Safety Foundation, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock swimming and diving team will be treading water Sept. 27 at the Donaghey Aquatic Center to raise awareness of the global drowning pandemic. At the same time, the Trojans will take part in attempting to break the Guinness World Record for “Most People Treading Water at the Same Time in Multiple Locations.” “We are thrilled to be teaming up with the International Water Safety Foundation and help bring awareness to the global drowning pandemic,” Little Rock swimming and diving head coach said. “The number of childhood deaths due to drowning around the world is alarming and preventable. The International Water Safety Foundation has an established drowning prevention intervention program, and funds we help raise will directly benefit children around the world in teaching them how to swim.” The International Life Saving Federation — the global authority on drowning — estimates there are 1.2 million drowning deaths around the globe each year. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our team to not only help the International Water Safety Foundation and bring awareness to drowning but also to be a part of a Guinness World Record,” Burgess said. If all goes to plan, the Trojans will help break the current record of 805 people. In the lead up to the event, the team is holding a fundraising campaign on behalf of the International Water Safety Foundation. The International Water Safety Foundation is a non-profit organization raising drowning awareness while bringing basic swimming, water safety, and safe rescue skills to children in developing countries. Funds raised will go to drowning intervention programs like SWIM Cambodia through the Tread-A-Thon fundraising platform. “Please help us in supporting the International Water Safety Foundation by donating to our campaign,” Burgess said. “Together let’s help put a stop to this drowning pandemic.” For more information and to donate, please visit this .

��Vlog��ý Little Rock offers adult swim lessons

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 31 May 2017 13:37:18 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is offering lessons for adults who want to learn how to swim. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Head Swimming and Diving Coach Amy Burgess said there has been an increase in demand for adults with children who want to learn how to swim. “This is our first time to offer group adult swim classes,” Burgess said. “Recently, with the growth of our lessons for children, we have had an increase in adult requests as well.” The cost is $75 for eight half-hour lessons over a two-week period. The lessons will be offered from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Sessions run June 5-8 and June 12-15; June 19-22 and June 26-29; July 10-13 and July 17-20; and July 24-27 and July 31-Aug. 3. Spots are limited. Those interested may register using the. Swimming lessons for are available beginning in June. Group sessions are $75 and include eight 30-minute lessons over a two-week period and will meet Monday through Thursday. Private lessons are also available by contacting ualrswim@gmail.com or 501-683-7312.

Trojans volunteer with Salvation Army

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 18:16:13 +0000

University of Arkansas at Little Rock student-athletes accumulated more than 250 volunteer hours with the Salvation Army over the recent holiday period. The Trojans were stationed at kettle locations across Pulaski County as bell ringers. From Black Friday through Christmas Eve each year, rings bells outside local stores as part of its largest fundraiser of the year. The Red Kettle Campaign provides food and shelter for the homeless, assists with utilities and medicines for needy families, and supports Salvation Army Christmas programs for the central Arkansas area. “Our student-athletes did a superb job getting around central Arkansas to help with the Kettle Campaign,” Senior Woman Administrator and Head Swimming Coach said. “Our Student-Athlete Advisory Committee helped coordinate, and it was great to see so many get involved.” In the upper right photo, three Trojan soccer players volunteer as bell ringers for The Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign. The volunteers, from left to right, are junior forward Fali Garuba, senior midfielder Kayla Turner, and junior forward Quin Wilkes.

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