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

Tell-Hall explores reasons for removal of West Rock

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 15:23:22 +0000

A graduating student is shedding light on the removal of one of Little Rock’s first working class African-American suburbs, West Rock, as part of the city’s urban renewal efforts of the 1950s and 60s.�� Nancy Tell-Hall, who will graduate Dec. 14 with a master’s degree in public history, studied the city’s removal of the neighborhood for her master’s thesis, “Urban Renewal PROJECT-ARK-4: The Demise of West Rock, Arkansas: 1884-1960.” West Rock was a part of what is now the Riverdale neighborhood near Fred Allsopp Park and downhill from present day Hillcrest. West Rock provided affordable housing and accessibility to many people who had domestic, service, and labor jobs. The Slum Clearance Referendum of 1950 allowed Little Rock to accept federal assistance to remove dilapidated urban housing under the guise of “urban renewal.” “The Little Rock Housing Authority and city leaders had all of them removed by 1960,” Tell-Hall said. “The plan to remove West Rock started in 1926 because the city needed to open the westward corridor to make room for segregated western suburbs and to expand Highway 10. They knew the property would be very valuable one day.” When Little Rock bought West Rock, the city estimated the land was worth about $59 per acre. The city purchased the property at that price and sold it for $12,380.03 per acre. The residents were relocated to other areas of the city. Just this spring, some of the land in the area sold for more than $475,000 per acre. “Today, that area is prime, commercially zoned land,” Tell-Hall said. “I often think about the residents forced to move. Some families owned West Rock land for generations. There are those who say the Housing Authority did them a favor by providing the residents a better place to live. However, a 1960 newspaper article wrote the Little Rock Housing Authority was about rehabilitating neighborhoods. I wonder why they didn’t upgrade the housing that was already there. Removal was not rehabilitation.” Tell-Hall researched primary historical documents from the time to tell the story of West Rock’s creation to its removal in 1960. She has also created an educational website about West Rock public use.�� In addition to telling the story of West Rock, Tell-Hall has been involved in promoting the history of racial justice in Arkansas. In 2018, Tell-Hall won second place in the F. Hampton Roy Award competition for her paper revealing the unusual circumstances surrounding the desegregation of Fisher’s Bar-B-Q in Little Rock in 1962. Unlike many sit-ins and Freedom Rider protests that targeted white-owned or white-controlled operations, the protesters targeted an African-American owned business that segregated its customers.�� Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Department of History recognized Tell-Hall’s civil rights research earlier this year when she was awarded the department’s $5,000 Little Rock Nine Endowed Scholarship, which is awarded to a graduate student focused on race relations and community development. One lesson Tell-Hall wants to emphasize to all college students is that it’s never too late to complete your education. “I find it very exciting,” said Tell-Hall, 58. “I’ve heard people say that 50 is the new 30. I talk to a lot of people who wish they had gone to school, and I recommend to anyone who is older to go to college. I was often older than my professors, and I found that younger students appreciate having older students who have lived through some of the experiences you talk about in class. I remember studying about the night the Berlin Wall fell. I watched it all on CNN! I think people appreciate hearing living history.”

Nancy Tell-Hall at Allsopp Park. Photo by Ben Krain

Tell-Hall left college in 1979 to concentrate on raising her son. The two family members coincidentally graduated together from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2017, both having earned bachelor’s degrees. Four decades after leaving college, Tell-Hall’s college education is now complete after earning a master’s degree. “Originally, I considered 2017 the year my academic journey ended,” Tell-Hall said. “I never considered going to grad school. While it is true that grad school can be intense, it was rewarding beyond imagination. To be considered a ‘master’ in the field of racial and ethnic American history is quite satisfying and exciting.” After graduation, Tell-Hall and her husband of 37 years, Jeffrey, plan to move to Okmulgee, Oklahoma, the capital of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Tell-Hall became a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation in 2012 after discovering her father’s unknown lineage. There, she plans to put her history research skills to work for the tribe. While at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Tell-Hall has worked as a graduate assistant with the Anderson Institute on Race and Ethnicity, interned with the City of Little Rock Planning and Development Department, the Sequoyah National Research Center, and volunteered with the National Register of Historic Places. “Nancy flourished as a graduate assistant at the Anderson Institute on Race and Ethnicity, which provided the hands-on experience that will help her land what she describes as her ‘dream job’ upon graduation,” said Dr. John Kirk, George W. Donaghey Distinguished Professor of History.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock announces 2019-20 Signature Experience Awards

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 15:16:50 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has selected nearly 125 students as recipients of 2019-20 Signature Experience grants.�� Since 2017, the program has provided ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students with a grant of up to $1,000 to fund a signature experience, such as a research project, creative activity, or community project, to enrich the students’ academic experience at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.�� This year’s 124 awards include projects that range from the delivery of drugs for bone tissue disease and cancer using nanotechnology and the creation of a voice-controlled drone to assist people with disabilities to the design and optimization of a portable medical scooter. For the first time, a subset of grants were awarded to freshmen, sophomores, and transfer students to encourage research projects by new college students. Also for the first time, Signature Experience grants were awarded to graduate students to encourage advanced research projects.�� “In support of retention efforts aimed at getting students involved in research so they identify with their majors or programs early in their academic careers, 19 percent of our grants went to support projects undertaken by freshmen, sophomores, or students in their first year as a transfer student,” said Dr. Ecke, director of the Signature Experience Program. “At the other end of the spectrum, for the first year since its inception, the Signature Experience Program funded 29 graduate student projects.”�� Recipients of the Signature Experience grants will exhibit their work at the 2020 Student Research and Creative Works Showcase on April 17, 2020.�� The Signature Experience grant winners and their respective colleges are as follows:

College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences

Zayna Abdulla, a junior studying English and biology, mentored by Anindya Gosh – “A Novel, Injectable Hydrogel Based on Guar Gum for Anti-cancer Drug Delivery” Reem Adai, a sophomore studying physics, mentored by Gregory Guisbiers – “Synthesis of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles By Laser Ablation” Anthony Aloi, a junior studying chemistry and biology – “Laser-induced Graphene Nanofiltration Membranes for Water Purification” Nabeel Alwan, a junior studying chemistry and biology, mentored by Noureen Siraj – “The Role of Functional Groups of Porphyrin as a Photodynamic Therapy Nanodrug” Emily Anderson, a senior studying biology, mentored by Shanzhi Wang – “Silver Nanoparticle Conjugated Glucose Oxidase for Prevention and Growth of Bacteria” Michael Appiah-Kubi, a senior studying chemistry, mentored by Wei Zhao – “Controlling the Pore Sizes of Graphene Oxide Nanostructures through Hydrothermal Reactions for Efficient Water Purification” Mujeebat Bashiru, a graduate student studying applied chemistry, mentored by Noureen Siraj – “Room Temperature Phosphorescent Materials for Use in Optoelectronic Application” Assem Basurrah, a graduate student studying chemistry, mentored by Wei Zhao – “Electrochemical Nitrogen Reduction to Ammonia Using MoS2-based Nanocatalysts” Alexis Boling, a freshman mentored by Sandra Leiterman – “Mom and Me STEM” Marvin Bonney, a graduate student studying applied physics, mentored by John Nichols – “Investigation of Strain Effects in Superconducting Magnesium Diboride Thin Films” Jess Brasher, a senior studying theatre arts, mentored by Lawrence Smith – “1,000 Cranes 10,000 Thoughts: Trans Narrative in Performance” Stuti Chatterjee, a junior studying chemistry and biology, mentored by Noureen Siraj – “Effect of Nanoparticle’s Morphology towards the Cellular Uptake, Toxicity and Selectivity to Cancer Cells” Meghan Clark, a senior studying biology, mentored by Nawab Ali – “Effect of Oxidative Stress on Programmed Cell Death (Apoptosis) Mediated via Endoplasmic Reticulum Multiple Inositol Polyphosphate Phosphatase 1 (Minpp1)” Sarah Coffman, a junior studying chemistry, mentored by Anindya Ghosh – “Esterification of Aromatic Aldehyde using Nickel” Thomas Coleman, a graduate student studying interdisciplinary studies, mentored by Heather Hummel – “Intersections of Poetry and Music” Ivy Crowe, a junior studying English, mentored by Jeffrey Condran – “Braddock Avenue Books Spring Catalogue at the Association of Writers and Writing Programs Conference, San Antonio, Texas, March 2020” Iris Denmark, a graduate student studying chemistry, mentored by Noureen Siraj – Synthesis of Conductive Materials from Chemically Treated Renewable Carbon Precursors for Use in Energy Applications Kajal Desai, a junior studying chemistry, mentored by Wei Zhao – “Graphene Oxide-MoS2 Composite Membranes for Arsenic and Lead Polluted Water Purification” LaDarius Doaks, a senior studying dance and psychology, mentored by Robin Neveu Brown – “WithIN MOTION: BFA senior Dance Project Film” Yousef Elbalawy, a sophomore studying biology, mentored by Nawab Ali – “Effect of Microgravity on the Expression of Multiple Inositol Polyphosphate Phosphatase” Rad Elsaidi, a senior studying chemistry, mentored by Shanzhi Wang – “Anti-Microbial Effects of GSDMD” Sakr Elsaidi, a post baccalaureate student studying biology, mentored by Gregory Guisbiers – “Synthesis of Topological Nanomaterials” Taiwo Famuyiwa, a graduate student studying applied mathematics and statistics, mentored by Wei Zhang – “Develop New Machine Learning Methods for Integrative Analysis” Ashi Franke, a senior studying graphic design/web design and development, mentored by Lynne Ellsworth Larsen – “Bauhaus’ Renaissance and the Future of UI/UX Design” Luke Geoffrion, a graduate student studying applied physics, mentored by Gregory Guisbiers – “Synthesis of Colloidal Topological Insulators” Cordell Gilreath, a senior studying chemistry, mentored by Shanzhi Wang – “Examination of the Enzymatic Characteristics of Borrelia Burgdorferi” Taylor Green, a senior studying theatre arts, mentored by Lawrence Smith – “Uncovering Elaine: The Story of the Elaine Massacre of 1919” Carmen Gutierrez, a junior studying dance, mentored by Stephanie Thibeault – “Nature vs. Nurture: The Roots of Movement Preferences Amongst Dancers” Yanping Harville, a senior studying biology and geology, mentored by Scott Woolbright – “Toxic Effects of Acetaminophen on Bacteria from a Probiotic Supplement Utilized as a Surrogate for the Human Gastrointestinal Microbiome” Tina Hesabizadeh, a junior studying biology, mentored by Gregory Guisbiers – “Quantum Structructure of Selenium Nanoparticles” Evan Hicks, a senior studying physics, mentored by Gregory Guisbiers – “Synthesis of Tellurium Quantum Wires” Amanda Jalihal, a graduate student studying chemistry, mentored by Noureen Siraj – “Near Infrared Ionic Dye Pairs for Optimization of Dye-sensitized Solar Cells” Travis Jumper, a transfer student studying chemistry, mentored by Anindya Ghosh – “Polyamide Formation via a Nickel Pincer Catalyst” Rawan Kattom, a junior studying biology, mentored by Anindya Ghosh – “Cellulose-based Doped Carbon Materials for the Efficient Degradation of NPs Under Visible Light” Caroline Kornelsen, a senior studying chemistry, mentored by Noureen Siraj – “Investigation of Förster Resonance Energy Transfer in Ionic Materials” Hannah Krehbiel, a sophomore studying chemistry, mentored by Noureen Siraj – “Application of Ionic Materials in Organic Solar Cells” Thuy Le, a graduate student studying chemistry, mentored by Noureen Siraj – “Understanding of Stretchability and Conductivity Characterization of PEDOT:PSS/ionic Liquid for Flexible Electronics” Samantha Macchi, a doctoral student studying applied science, mentored by Noureen Siraj – “Molasses-derived Nitrogen and Silicon Co-doped Carbon Material for Use as Electrocatalyst in ORR for Fuel Cell Application” Mary Melissa Miller, a graduate student studying History of art, mentored by Floyd Martin – “Titian’s Venus of Urbino: A New Interpretation” Brandon Moore, a senior studying biology, mentored by John Bush – “The Use of a Dominant-negative Rab32c Protein from Slime Mold, Dictyostelium Discoideum, for the Study of Neurodegenerative Diseases in Humans” Gary Morris, a graduate student studying biology, mentored by Scott Woolbright – “Urban Ecology of Pearl Crescent Butterflies in the Little Rock Metropolitan Region” Daniel Nde, a graduate student studying applied chemistry, mentored by Wei Zhao – “Investigating Algae-derived Reduced Graphene Oxide Membranes for Ionic and Molecular Nanofiltration” Thao Nguyen, a sophomore studying chemistry, mentored by Hong Li Wang – “Enzymatic Characterization of Bgp from B. Burgdorferi, the Main Causative Agent in Lyme Disease in the United States” Anil Parameswaran-Thankam, a graduate student studying applied chemistry, mentored by Anindya Ghosh – “Guar Plant Based Injectable, Thermoresponsive Hydrogel for Bone Tissue Engineering and Drug Delivery” Lauv Patel, a sophomore studying chemistry, mentored by Shanzhi Wang – “Enzymatic Characterization of E11Q Mutant of Methylthioadenosine Nucleosidase from S. Aureus” Chandrasimha Penthala, a junior studying biology, mentored by John Bush – “The Synthesis and Testing of Nanostructured Stainless Steel Wires by In Vitro Antibacterial Studies for Dental Application” Humendra Poudel, a graduate student studying chemistry, mentored by Anindya Ghosh – “Synthesis of Nanomaterials and Its Application in the Biomedical Field” Atikur Rahman, a graduate student studying physics, mentored by Gregory Guisbiers – “Synthesis and Characterization of Core Shell Magnetic Nanoparticles” Olgaaurora Rodriguez, a junior studying chemistry and biology, mentored by Wei Zhao – “Biomass-derived Nanofiltration Membranes for Drinking Water Purification” Taylor Scifres, a junior studying chemistry, mentored by Noureen Siraj – “Soy Meal as Supercapacitor” Logan Sellen, a senior studying physics, mentored by Yslan Hicks – “Shelter We Seek: An Examination of the Cyclical Patterns of Abuse through Playwriting and Production” Tripti Shukla, a sophomore studying chemistry, mentored by Shanzhi Wang – “Enzymatic Studies of a Triple Mutant of MTA Nucleosidase from S. Aureus” Kaitlin Simmons, a senior studying molecular biotechnology, mentored by Qingfang He – “Effects of Phosphate Limitation on Contamination of Synechocystis sp. PCCC 6803 and a Histidine Kinase Deletion Mutant” Damanpreet Singh, a senior studying biology, mentored by Qingfang He – “Metabolic Engineering of Cyanobacteria for Sustainable Production of Cinnamic Acid” Peter Szwedo, a graduate student studying applied chemistry, mentored by Anindya Ghosh – “Small Molecule Activation Using a Nickel (II) Pincer Complex” Patrick Taylor, a junior studying biology, mentored by Gregory Guisbiers Jose Vivanco, a freshman studying physics, mentored by Tansel Karabacak – “Superhydrophobic Nanostructured Surfaces for Atmospheric Water Generator Application” Rebekah White, a graduate student studying applied bioscience, mentored by Qingfang He – “Functions of DspA in Photosynthesis and Cellular Fitness”

College of Education and Health Professions

Sedre’Auna Griddine, a graduate student studying health education and promotion, mentored by Katie Helms – “Exercise Incentive Programs: Motivation and Longitudinal Effectiveness” Eric Nix, a senior nursing major, mentored by Jennifer Bridges – “Nursing Students’ Knowledge of the Morse Fall Scale and the STRATIFY Tool” Kaylin Orrell, a senior studying communication sciences and disorders, mentored by Donna Kelly –” An Investigation of Evidenced-Based Treatments for Children and Adults who Present with an Acquired Language, Language-related and/or Cognitive Impairment”

College of Social Sciences and Communication

Mariam Bouzihay, a senior studying psychology and information technology, mentored by Sandra Leiterman – “Drone Rural: Classroom Exploration” Jacob Chisom, a graduate student studying applied communication, mentored by Avinash Thombre – “Diffusion of Climate Change Reducing Strategies in Farmers of Southeast Arkansas” Brandy Dailey, a graduate student studying public administration, mentored by Kirk Leach – “Evaluation of Batterer Intervention Programs as a Tool to Enhance Offender Accountability” Solomon Davis, a senior studying philosophy and interdisciplinary studies, mentored by Eric Wiebelhaus-Brahm – “Working Better Together: How Material and Symbolic Transitional Justice Affect Post-Civil War Peace” Desiree Doyle, a graduate student studying applied communication, mentored by Avinash Thombre – “Arrival of Hybrid K-Pop culture in Arkansas: An Examination of BlackPink Adoption Among Young Adults” Sadie Goss, a junior studying criminal justice and chemistry, mentored by Robert Lytle – “Paying for Past Crimes: Employment and Prisoner Re-entry amongst Former Serious and Violent Offenders” Zachary Jones, a graduate student studying applied communication, mentored by Louise Lowe – “Ottenheimer Library Space and Perception Study: Evidence-based Inquiry Using Student-Led Focus Groups” Tiffany Meeks, a junior studying applied communication, mentored by April Chatham-Carpenter – “Growth, Maturity, and Stress: Study of Identity Changes through Early Management” Madison Rodgers, a junior studying political science, mentored by Eric Wiebelhaus-Brahm – “Women in Government and the Relationship Between the State and Women’s Rights NGOs” Taylor Toombs, a junior studying political science, mentored by Eric Wiebelhaus-Brahm – “Transitional Justice and Gender” Marisha Twillie, a senior studying applied communication, mentored by Kristen McIntyre – “The Power of Biracial Women’s Code-switching” Ashley Walker, a junior studying criminal justice, mentored by James Golden – “Evaluating Domestic Violence Batterer’s Intervention Programs and their Potential to Reduce Recidivism for Domestic Abusers” Joshua Williams, a sophomore studying international studies, mentored by Eric Wiebelhaus-Brahm – “Arab-Israelis in Evolving Israeli Politics”

George W. Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology

Alejandro (Alex) Alvarez-Barreiro, a sophomore studying mechanical engineering technology and Spanish, mentored by Sandra Leiterman – “BB-8 Continued” Andrew Bomberger, a senior studying computer science, mentored by Philip Huff – “Cyber Security Cloud Competition Controller” Jannice Bonilla, a senior studying mechanical engineering technology, mentored by Ashokkumar Sharma – “Multi-Configuration Tower Building Robot: An ASME Student Design Competition Contender” Justin Bullard, a senior studying mechanical engineering technology, mentored by Mamdouh Bakr – “Portable Folding Laptop Stand” Josh Carlat, a senior studying computer science, mentored by Sean Orme – “A Look into the Feasibility of Teaching Game Engine Design at the Undergraduate Level” Gabriel Castro, a transfer student studying mechanical engineering technology, mentored by Kailash Jajam – “Measurement of In-plane Surface Deformations of Planar Solids using the Method of Digital Image Correlation” Trey Chancellor, a senior studying mechanical engineering technology, mentored by Mo Bakr – “Development, Design, and Testing of Folding, Mobile Carpentry Work Bench” John Clements, a senior studying computer science, mentored by Ivan Rodriguez-Conde – “HMD-based Teleoperation of Wheeled Mobile Robots” Jamison Conatser, a senior studying electronics and computer engineering technology, mentored by Steve Menhart – “Voice Controlled Drone with Camera for Disabled Persons” Brandon Crawford, a junior studying e-commerce, mentored by Thomas Wallace – “Optimizing Workflow with Modern Technology and Ergonomics: A STEAM Project” Michael Davis, a junior studying information science, mentored by Philip Williams – “Heifer International Aquaponics Project” Merak Dyer, a senior studying mechanical engineering technology, mentored by Srikanth Pidugu – “Kitchen Appliance Automatic Storage and Retrieval System” Jacob Earley, a junior studying geology, mentored by Margaret (Beth) McMillan – “Using Short-range Photogrammetry for 3D Digital Reconstruction of Arkansaurus Fridayi Fossil Bones” Gaige Ehrenworth, a sophomore studying computer science, mentored by Jan Springer – “Consumer Ray-Tracing in Real Time” Denver Ellis, a sophomore studying computer science, mentored by Jan Springer – “Student Exploration in Computer Graphics Through the Creation of a Rasterization Pipeline” Brandon Norman, a freshman studying computer science, mentored by Ivan Rodriguez-Conde – “Web System for the Visualization and Dissemination of Three-dimensional Content in the Field of Paleontology” Jack Gaston, a freshman studying mechanical engineering technology, mentored by Kailash Jajam – “Influence of Layer Thickness and Interface Bonding Strength on Energy Absorption Response of Polyurea Coated Glass Plates” John Graham, a junior studying engineering technology, mentored by Kailash Jajam – “Strengthening Behavior of 7075 Al Alloy After Strain Hardening Versus that of Precipitation Hardening” Anna Gayle Griffiths, a senior studying geology, mentored by Michael DeAngelis – “Improving ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Recycling Program” David Hough, a graduate student studying applied science, mentored by Michael DeAngelis – “Synthesis of Targeted Composition Nanoscale Olivine” Jacob Jackson, a senior studying mechanical engineering technology, mentored by Ashokkumar Sharma – “Removal of Water Turbidity Using Natural Coagulants” Matthew James, a sophomore studying computer science, mentored by Albert Baker – “Financial Literacy for Adolescents through Technology” Marcus Johnson, a transfer student studying computer science, mentored by Jan Springer – “Playlistify: Multi-User Application Interfacing with the Music Streaming Service Spotify” Michael (Tyler) Kee, a senior studying geological sciences, mentored by Laura Ruhl-Whittle – “Strontium Isotopic Ratios in Central Arkansas: Insight into Rock Formation and Water Quality” Nigel Kelly, a junior studying mechanical systems engineering, mentored by Jin Wook Lee – “Design and Fabrication of a Novel Flight Saucer” Joseph Kready, a junior studying computer science, mentored by Xiaowei Xu – “Neural Code Search” Trigun Maroo, a graduate student studying engineering science and systems, mentored by Andrew Wright – “Design of a Microphone Array to Facilitate Acoustic Localization” Amanda Martin, a senior studying Geology, mentored by Rene Shroat-Lewis – “Digitization of Economic Mineral Resources of Arkansas” Noah Mejia, a sophomore studying mechanical engineering technology, mentored by Srikanth Pidugu and Ashokkumar Sharma – “Semi-Autonomous Multi-System Integration Tower Robot” Daniel Myers, a sophomore studying computer science, mentored by Chia-Chu Chiang – “Study of Open Source Operating System for Use as Instructional Aid” Uche Nwali, a senior studying mechanical engineering technology, mentored by Ashokkumar Sharma – “Design Modification of an Existing Hydraulic Ram Pump System to Improve Its Overall Performance” Brenda Nyangweso, a junior studying information science, mentored by Ningning Wu – “Application and Benefits of Cloud Development in the College of Engineering and Information Technology” Tarang Parikh, a senior studying electronics and computer engineering technology, mentored by Steve Menhart – “Solar Powered Raspberry Pi Car Audio-video and Camera System” Garrett Phelps, a transfer student studying mechanical engineering technology, mentored by Kailash Jajam – “Synthesis and Characterization of Epoxy Composites Modified with Micron-size Stiff and Compliant Fillers” Ryan Ronquillo, a junior studying information science, mentored by Philip Huff – “Reversus: Education in Reverse Engineering Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities” Shadrach Rubio-Pelayo, a freshman studying civil engineering and construction management, mentored by Srikanth Pidugu and Ashokkumar Sharma – “Unmanned Aerial Racing Cargo Vehicle: An ASME IAM3D Competition Contender” Sherif Selim, a senior studying mechanical engineering technology, mentored by Kailash Jajam – “Processing and Mechanical Characterization of Aluminum Foam Based Interpenetrating Phase Composites (IPC) Infiltrated with Solid and Hollow Glass Microspheres” Ramiro Serrano-Vergel, a graduate student studying information science, mentored by Ivan Rodriguez-Conde – “Enhancing User Experience in Custom Closets Prototyping Using Handheld-based Mobile Augmented Reality” Zachary Smith, a graduate student studying applied geology, mentored by Laura Ruhl-Whittle – “Quantifying the Impact of Urbanization on the Fourche Creek Watershed, Little Rock, Arkansas” Tiwari Snehil, a senior studying information science, mentored by Elizabeth Pierce – “Furrow Irrigation Web Application” Eric Sutherland, a junior studying mechanical systems engineering, mentored by Soheil Saedi – “Damping Capacity of Additively Manufactured (AM) NiTi Alloy” James Teem, a freshman studying computer science, mentored by Chia-Chu Chiang – “Integrating Voice Commands into Web Pages for Accessible Interactions” Stephen Vang, a senior studying mechanical engineering, mentored by Srikanth Pidugu – “Design and Optimization of a Portable Medical Scooter” Xingqiao Wang, a graduate student studying computer and information sciences, mentored by Xiaowei Xu – “Hierarchical Neural Language Model for Question Answering” Hunter Wright, a senior studying information science, mentored by Thomas Wallace – “MAACS: Multipurpose All-around Awesome Clustered Server”

College of Business

John Fetherston, a freshman studying business information systems, mentored by Kent Layton – “Water Purification for Maroa, Venezuela” Claire Herman, a junior studying economics, mentored by Casey Rockwell – “Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing: Ethical Concerns in the Supply Chain of a Consumer’s Raw Material through DNA Testing” Snehil Tiwari, a junior studying economics, mentored by Moiz Bhai – “A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Implementing Riparian Buffers in the Buffalo River Watershed”

Math professor donates $20,000 to support faculty, students

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 12:43:42 +0000

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock math professor has donated $20,000 to help fund professional development activities for faculty members and students in the Department of Math and Statistics.�� Dr. Xiu Ye, who has been a professor at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock since 1991, said she wanted to give a donation to help her colleagues and students during a tight financial time at the university. “I am a special donor since I am not rich,” Ye said. “Last year, I took a sabbatical and had other family issues, but I want to do what I can to help the Math Department. It’s a great department. I have wonderful colleagues, and I hope I can help them. I want to support my colleagues, students, and the university.” The donation will create the Math Department Professional Activities Fund, which will provide money for professional development activities in the Department of Math and Statistics in the College of Arts, Letters, and Science. The fund may be used to host mathematics conferences; sponsor events like the annual Calculus Bowl, which encourages participation in math and calculus in high school students; and hire lecturers to teach additional classes.�� “I want to thank Dr. Ye for having the vision to create this new fund to help the Math Department,” said Christian O’Neal, vice chancellor for university advancement. “The gift will touch the lives of our current and future students. Our faculty will continue leading events like the popular Calculus Bowl and have access to professional development opportunities that enrich classroom learning and outcomes for students.” Dr. Sarah Beth Estes, dean of the College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences, said this special donation exemplifies the dedication ��Vlog��ý Little Rock faculty members have for student success. “With this gift, Dr. Ye supports the high quality instruction of the Math Department and the many outreach and support efforts of the department, including Math Day and instruction in tutoring services,” Estes said. “We greatly appreciate the generosity of this gift from one of our own.”�� Ye received her Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. During her career, Ye has received nearly $800,000 in grant funds from the National Science Foundation and published 104 research articles in academic journals. “I hope this grant will encourage my fellow faculty members to complete more wonderful research for the university,” Ye said. “New research grants bring external funding and publicity to the university, while exposing our students to cutting-edge knowledge in their fields.”

Space-themed Wind Ensemble performance to feature astronomy lecture, meteorite display

Ajani Oyindamola — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 13:33:14 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Wind Ensemble will host an out-of-this-world concert Oct. 24 featuring a special astronomy lecture and meteorite display. The Wind Ensemble performance, “To Boldly Go,” will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall in the Fine Arts Building.�� The ensemble will perform “Take Off” by Daniel Weinberger, “One Moment to Eternity” by Stephen Melillo, “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” by John B. Dykes, “All Stars are Love” by Steven Bryant, and “Open Space” by Brian Balmages. The program includes a pre-concert astronomy lecture by Dr. Darrell Heath, host of “The Night Sky”, at 7 p.m. as well as a meteorite display sponsored by the Department of Physics and Astronomy.�� The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Department of Music at 501-569-3294.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to honor ‘Hidden Figure’ Raye Montague with 10th annual Fribourgh Award

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 02 Oct 2019 13:15:32 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will celebrate the life and achievements of the late Dr. Raye Jean Jordan Montague at the 10th annual Fribourgh Awards Reception Thursday, Oct. 10. The late Dr. Montague, an internationally registered professional engineer with the U.S. Navy, is credited with creating the first computer-generated rough draft of a U.S. naval ship. The Fribourgh Award honors individuals who have made considerable contributions to the state of Arkansas through mathematics and science. This year’s reception will be from 6-8 p.m. at Chenal Country Club, 10 Chenal Club Blvd., Little Rock. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased at this website. Sen. Joyce Elliot will serve as the event’s emcee and give a memorial to the event’s presenting sponsor, the late Dr. Garry Glasco. Proceeds will be used to create the Raye Jean Jordan Montague Endowed Scholarship Fund that will help ��Vlog��ý Little Rock attract and retain high-achieving, full-time students majoring in math and science with preference given to minority women. This year’s award recipient has a special connection to the university. Montague’s son is Dr. David Montague, director of eLearning and professor of criminal justice at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, who will receive the award on his mother’s behalf. According to David Montague, his mother would have loved to receive this award because of her love of STEM subjects, especially math. “My mother loved math as a young student during the 1940s and 1950s, a time in which it was even more difficult for girls and women to be taken seriously in such academic areas,” he said. “She told me that at the same time that many of her colleagues sought to take home economics, she actively sought taking shop and as many math and science classes as she could.” The story of Raye Montague’s contributions in engineering, computer science, and the advancement of women in the sciences was brought to public attention in recent years after the 2017 release of the movie, which highlighted the story of African-American women who played a crucial role in helping NASA send astronaut John Glenn to orbit the Earth in 1962. Montague was recognized as the U.S. Navy’s real-life “hidden figure” during naval events in Washington, D.C. and Virginia and on the Feb. 20, 2017, live episode of “Good Morning America.” Montague earned a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff because the engineering school at the University of Arkansas did not accept minorities at the time. She began her career with the U.S. Navy in 1956. She was the first female professional engineer to receive the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Achievement Award, the National Computer Graphics Association Award for the Advancement of Computer Graphics, and the first female to serve on the board of directors for the Numerical Control Society. Montague held a civilian equivalent rank of captain and was the U.S. Navy’s first female program manager of ships. Credited with creating the first computer-generated rough draft of a U.S. naval ship, Montague completed the process in fewer than 19 hours, when the process had previously taken two years. Among many other honors, Montague was awarded the U.S. Navy’s Meritorious Civilian Service Award in 1972, the navy’s third-highest honorary award. She was also nominated for the Federal Woman of the Year Award the same year. After her 33-year naval career, Montague retired in 1990 and was presented with a flag that had flown over the nation’s capital in her honor. She was passionate about highlighting the value of education and encouraging girls to get involved in STEM education, receiving many awards and commendations over the years for volunteering with youth. “Both before and during her retirement, my mother actively spoke with students across the United States, especially in Arkansas, to assure them that as long as they have the drive to succeed and ability to grasp the concepts, there is a way to have a fulfilling career in STEM fields, no matter what you look like or where you are from,” David Montague said. After returning to Arkansas in 2006, she spent many years as a mentor, volunteer, motivational speaker, and dedicated mother and grandmother in Little Rock. Montague mentored prison inmates through ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s community re-entry program and students at the eStem Elementary Public Charter School in Little Rock. Additionally, she was an active volunteer with LifeQuest, The Links Inc., the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, and the American Contract Bridge League. In recent years, Montague was inducted into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame, the Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame, and the Arkansas Academy of Computing. In 2018, she was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Law degree from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. The Arkansas Science Olympiad named a new prize after Montague, which is awarded to the highest ranking majority female team, to encourage more women to participate in the sciences. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Fribourgh Awards, which began in 2010 to honor the late Dr. James H. Fribourgh, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock professor emeritus, who served for more than 45 years as chair of Life Sciences, interim chancellor, vice chancellor for academic affairs, and distinguished professor of biology. “We appreciate the opportunity to recognize the late Dr. Raye Montague for her outstanding contributions and noteworthy work in the nation’s scientific and mathematical community,” said Christian O’Neal, vice chancellor for university advancement. “Her legacy of embracing education, breaking barriers, commitment to family, and service to her country will never be forgotten.” Past recipients include Jerry B. Adams, president and CEO of Arkansas Research Alliance; H. Watt Gregory III, partner at Kutak Rock LLP; Dr. Charles E. Hathaway, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock chancellor emeritus and Donaghey distinguished professor; Peter Banko, former president and CEO of St. Vincent Health System and now president and CEO at Central Health; Dr. James Hendren, former CEO and chairman of Arkansas Systems Inc.; Dr. Mary Good, founding dean of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Engineering and Information Technology; Jerry Damerow, a retired Ernst and Young partner, and Sherri Damerow, a retired kindergarten teacher; and Cory Davis, partner and principal consultant at the Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health. For more information, please contact Derek Boyce at dcboyce@ualr.edu or 501-683-7355. In the upper right photo, David Montague (left) is shown with his mother, Raye Jean Jordan Montague. Photo by ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Communications.

Doctoral student attends prestigious international ecology program in France

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 17:11:48 +0000

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock doctoral student has found a passion for international collaboration after attending a prestigious summer ecology program in France.�� Patricia Covington, a Bryant native and Ph.D. student in applied biosciences, was one of just 25 doctoral students to be admitted to the COTE Summer School 2019 in Bordeaux, France, taught by 21 international experts in the field. The Summer School is part of the training program and gathers Ph.D. students in environmental sciences, each specialized in different disciplines such as ecology, chemistry, biology, and sociology. Through talks, field trips and round tables with international experts on integrative ecology, the program provides a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach on frontiers and boundaries in ecology and society. “It was the most amazing experience I have ever had,” Covington said. “There were students from over 16 countries and different walks of life. It was the first time I’ve been in the room with such a diverse group of people.”�� During the program that ran June 3-7, she met with international experts on integrative ecology, participated in interactive round table discussions to encourage cross-disciplinary research and collaboration among the participants, and took field trips to sites in France to study agriculture, hydrosystems, and forests. “The program is about getting Ph.D. candidates together to promote interdisciplinary work,” Covington said. “It brought all of us together to identify collaborative and innovative ways to address issues through interdisciplinary work. We talked about what we can do in the areas of science that would solve common problems around the world.” To keep the collaborative spirit going, Covington created a Facebook page where the program participants keep in touch. They share articles, give advice on papers and projects, and discuss collaborative research ideas. “It serves as a way we can keep in touch and get feedback on other pursuits,” Covington said. “I made lifelong friendships, and I networked with a lot of people from different disciplines. I am so grateful that I got this opportunity. I want to thank Scott Woolbright (assistant professor of biology), David Tonkyn (chair of the biology department) and Sarah Beth Estes (dean of the College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences) for their help in getting me to France.”�� Covington was one of only three students from the United States and the only student from Arkansas to attend. The summer school program, food, and accommodations were paid for by the program organizers. Covington also received a travel grants from COTE and the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Department of Biology. Covington’s mentor, Dr. Scott Woolbright, encouraged her to apply after learning about the summer program from Tonkyn, who said it was an opportunity most academics do not have until they are much older. “Patricia is a leader among our students, and shows initiative in many ways,” Tonkyn said. “Winning admission to this workshop is yet another example. No single university could assemble a team of instructors of this caliber from their own staff, and the training and connections Patricia has made with students and scholars from all over the world is incredible. We are proud that one of our students was able to participate in this elite program.” In the upper right photo, Patricia Covington and fellow COTE Summer School 2019 program participants explore the forests in Bordeaux, France.��

��Vlog��ý Little Rock researcher receives $100,000 to study plant stress tolerance for space exploration

Janea Snyder — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 21:54:41 +0000

Dr. Mariya Khodakovskaya, professor of biology in the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s College of Arts and Sciences, has received $100,000 from NASA to discover how to improve sustainability and stress tolerance in plants developed for exploration of Mars. For humans to explore new planets such as Mars, they must be able to sustainably grow plants and crops in environments without an abundance of water. Khodakovskaya will investigatehow applying carbon nanomaterials, such as graphene and carbon nanotubes, can affect and enhance plants’ tolerance to drought stress and other environmental factors. Khodakovskaya will apply this technology to valuable agricultural crops such as rice and soybeans.�� “Nano-agro technology is a cheap and efficient way to reduce the use of water in greenhouses to specifically produce plants for human exploration on other planets,” Khodakovskaya said. “Hopefully, this will allow space explorers to grow plant food sources on Mars one day.” She expects the project to generate data for more extensive investigation. Dr. Mariya Khodakovskaya is growing rice and soybeans with minimal amounts of water in her greenhouse laboratory at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Photo by Benjamin Krain��

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Extended Education offers non-credit community art classes

Ajani Oyindamola — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 17:33:26 +0000

Central Arkansas residents who are looking to learn more about art without the stress of tests and grades can take one of four extended education courses in visual arts and art history this fall at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Extended Education courses are non-credit, community enrichment classes. Leslie Mangiamele, a professional artist who has taught studio art and art history for more than 33 years at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, will offer three drawing classes on Mondays from Sept. 9 to Nov. 11 with a tuition of $189 per student. Drawing for Adults for those 18 and older will be held from 2-3:15 p.m. This is a comfortable and casual drawing class designed for the adult who has had some, little, or no formal training. It is a class in classical drawing that includes the close observation and rendering of objects from nature and the man-made world. Modeled on college art classes, students will study the elements of art, principles of design, and a variety of traditional drawing techniques. Drawing for the Young Child will be held from 4-5 p.m. This is a classical drawing class designed for the young child and is for children who have had little or no formal training. The emphasis is on drawing from reality, learning basic techniques, becoming acquainted with the elements of art, and experimentation with a variety of art media. Friendly, fun competitions and rewards will be used for inspiration. Drawing for Pre-Teens and Teens will take place from 5:15-6:30 p.m. This is a drawing class designed for the student who has had some formal training and achieved a basic level of accomplishment or higher. It is a class in classical drawing technique that includes the close observation and rendering of objects from nature and the man-made world. Floyd Martin, professor of art history, will teach Great Artists of 18th and 19th Century Europe on Tuesdays from 3-4:15 p.m. The classes will run from Sept. 10 to Nov. 19. Each class will focus on major figures of European art from the Rococo, Neoclassical, Romantic, Realist, and Impressionist periods. The cost of the course is $115, and 75 percent of the tuition will go toward scholarship funds for art and design students at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. For more information, please visit the or call 501-569-3276.

Warrick creates public sculptures for Arkansas, Texas

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 21 Aug 2019 12:50:33 +0000

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock art professor used his summer break wisely to create two public works of art for a university in Arkansas and a community in Texas. In Arkansas, Michael Warrick, professor of sculpture, created a bronze sculpture portraying the benefits of meditation for the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. The sculpture, “Vision,” will encompass a four-foot-tall, 3D-printed portrait cast in bronze and mounted on a three-foot steel base. “The sculpture represents a man in meditation, and the back side of the sculpture is an exact negative of the front of the sculpture made in golf leaf,” Warrick said. “There are many metaphors at work in this piece. Gold is one of the most precious metals on Earth, and its inclusion symbolizes that the mind is one of the most precious gifts a person has. There are also illusions to the negative and positive. The sculpture shows how people may be calm on the outside while a storm is brewing on the inside.” The piece is a part of a series of sculptures Warrick created called “Portraits of Peace.” Utilizing contemporary 3D scanning and scaling technology, Warrick produced monumentally scaled portraits reflecting the benefits of meditation and spiritual centeredness. The project was partially funded through a $2,480 Summer Research Fellowship Grant Warrick received from the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences in 2018.

Michael Warrick’s model of “Vision.”

Along with his sculpture, the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith will hold an exhibit featuring Warrick’s work. “Perspectives on Darkness and Light” will be on display through Sept. 30.�� The exhibit displays a range of Warrick’s sculptures from the past decade as well as 20 sketchbook drawings from the last 20 years. The work includes figurative and portrait motifs as a means of expression. Warrick will give a special lecture, “Portrait of Peace Project: Creating Vision,” at ��Vlog��ýFS at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, in the Fine Art Theater Room 107. He will discuss the sculpture’s inspiration, creating the 3-D printed model, 3-D printing on a monumental scale, casting the bronze portrait in 12 pieces, failures and lessons from the casting process, and the fabrication process for the unusually shaped base. Following the lecture, “Vision” will be installed near the south entrance of the Windgate Art and Design building as an addition to the ��Vlog��ýFS permanent collection of art. In his second public art project of the summer, Warrick created an 18-foot-tall stainless steel sculpture, “The Mockingbird Tree,” for the community of Southlake, Texas. The Southlake Arts Council selected Warrick’s design from 18 proposals. The piece celebrates the mockingbird tree as one of the state’s natural resources and represents the medical, retail, and residential developments surrounding the roundabout where the sculpture will be placed at Zena Rucker Road and Tower Boulevard. The sculpture also incorporates three mockingbirds, the state bird of Texas, and is another symbol of how the roundabout connects the three neighborhoods for the public good.�� “The sculpture is inspired by a drawing by my daughter, Annika, when she was a child,” Warrick said. “She has served as an inspiration for many of my pieces over the years. Sometimes, the ideas of children are some of the best. I want people to take away a little bit of whimsy and beauty and simplicity from this sculpture.” Warrick is also receiving some local help to complete the interstate project. GC Evans Sales and Manufacturing Company in Little Rock has donated space in its warehouse for Warrick to work on the sculpture over the summer.

Michael’s Warrick’s rendering of “The Mockingbird Tree.”

Recent grad lands international teaching position in France

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 15:51:10 +0000

A recent graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock has been accepted into a prestigious international teaching program and will spend the next year gaining valuable professional experience teaching in France.�� Emily Fendley, a Monticello native, graduated from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in May with a double major in French and anthropology and a minor in nonprofit leadership studies. After spending her senior year studying abroad at the Université d’Orléans in Orléans, France, Fendley decided to put her new language and cultural skills to work through the . Each year, more than 1,500 American citizens and permanent residents teach English to French students in elementary and secondary schools across France and the overseas departments of French such as Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion. “I am looking forward to continuing living in France. I’ve never had an in-classroom experience teaching, but I was a conversation teacher at the university this past year,” she said. “It will be a learning and growing experience for me. I think of this as a challenge I want to step up to.” Fendley will spend Oct. 1, 2019, to April 30, 2020, teaching in Laval, a town in western France. Her duties will include serving as a resource person in conversation groups, providing small group tutorials, facilitating English-language clubs, and giving talks related to American studies. In return, Fendley will receive a stipend and health insurance, but she’s most excited about the opportunity to learn more about the French language and culture. “I’m excited to live in the north of France and learn about the region,” she said. “Even though France is smaller than Texas, you wouldn’t know it by how different the regions are.” Fendley’s love of the French language started in high school while taking a language class in the ninth grade. Her interest rekindled at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and grew into a second major. “I had to take a foreign language in high school, and the only choices were Spanish and French. I wanted to be different so I took French for one semester,” she said. “At ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, I decided to take French again, and I really enjoyed the classes and was picking up the language well. Eventually, the department asked me if I wanted to major in French as well, and the more I learned, the more I enjoyed the language.” While at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Fendley was active in student life, serving as president of both the Anthropology Club and the Nonprofit Student Leadership Association. She credits her ��Vlog��ý Little Rock professors for giving her invaluable advice and guidance for the future. “All of my professors were amazing,” she said. “You don’t know how many times I sat in their office and asked them for advice on my future and my degree program.” Professors like Dr. Zachary Hagins say that Fendley’s success is all down to her hard work and tenacious spirit. “Emily has taken advantage of the wealth of opportunities available for students studying French at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, and she exemplifies the benefits of language immersion through study abroad,” Hagins said. “The first time I had Emily in class, she had just finished Intermediate French and was still like most students at that level: a bit timid in her speaking abilities. Then, she participated in our five-week, faculty-led Summer Language Program in France. Upon her return, her language skills had improved, but more importantly, her confidence in speaking French had skyrocketed. Given her summer experience in France, I was not surprised when she decided to return to France for a full academic year, taking advantage of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s consortium agreement with the Université d’Orléans. The reports we have received from her professors in France reflect what we already knew: Emily is hard-working, dynamic, and very motivated. I am certain that we will continue to hear about great achievements from her in the future!” As for her future after the completion of the teaching program, Fendley sees many possibilities. She wants to continue to travel and work internationally at nonprofit organizations and go to graduate school.�� “Since I studied three different areas at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, there are a lot of different graduate school programs I could go into. Choosing is the hardest part,” Fendley said. Alumni of the Teaching Assistant Program in France often pursue global careers in education, international business, public health, international policy and development, and arts and culture administration, as well as are regularly recruited by top graduate schools who value language proficiency and intercultural competency, according to the program’s website.��

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