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

A Call to Ministry: Lauren Humphrey uses graphic design skills to illustrate Bible for African children

Janea Snyder — Thu, 02 May 2019 19:14:06 +0000

Lauren Humphrey came to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock on a Chancellor’s Leadership Corps scholarship to study graphic design. During her time on campus, she discovered another passion: a desire to work in ministry. “I felt called, but not specifically,” she said. “I know that I want to go into ministry, and I would love to do international missions. I always say I’d pack up now and leave if I could.” Humphrey, 22, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, will graduate on May 11 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design, but she won’t be gone from campus too long. She will return this fall to begin a 10-month internship with Christian Ministry, which hosts weekly worship gatherings, discipleship groups, retreats, and mission trips for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students. Chi Alpha staff are full-time missionaries who disciple students on campus. Humphrey’s internship is through the Assembly of God and will help her earn credentials to be appointed as an Assembly of God minister. Humphrey will work with students and then lead an international mission trip in summer 2020. “After, I will ask the Lord if He will have me to serve in the States or in Africa,” she said. Humphrey fell in love with international mission work on a Chi Alpha mission trip. Each summer, Chi Alpha takes teams of 15 to 20 students to Africa or Asia for a month. Humphrey traveled to Zambia one summer and to Sri Lanka and Thailand another. Upon returning from Asia, she got a tattoo of the world’s continents on her forearm. It’s a visual reminder that “the Lord is reminding me that I’m unlimited, that He is everywhere.” Humphrey’s campus pastor, Cody Griggs, suggested she go on her own for a longer period of time if she was considering full-time international missions. “It was a test of calling – seeing if I could manage a budget, find ministry opportunities, enjoy living among a different culture, and feel a calling from the Lord to go back long term,” she said. “I got a calling to devote my life to ministry. I would love to go back to Africa. It’s my dream, but I want to be in the Lord’s will. I want to be where the Lord would have me.” Last summer, Humphrey spent three months in Zambia, working with two ministries: , a Christian nonprofit that establishes churches in the region, and , which serves homeless and orphaned children. The Zambia Project also provides medical services, builds water wells, and translates Bibles into other village languages. Humphrey stayed in Mongu, which has a school, a hospital, a center where caretakers learn how to care for malnourished children, and a therapy department that helps children with physical and mental disabilities. “While I was there, I was talking to one of the physical therapists who said it would be really good if they had a Bible for kids,” she said. “The only printed Bible in Mongu is like the King James that uses old English type language that is very hard for children to understand, and it’s not illustrated,” she said. Humphrey heard similar sentiments from other missionaries in the area and decided to use her graphic art skills to create an illustrated Bible for African children. The project was part of her Bachelor of Fine Arts thesis project that she presented in April. Although English is the official language of Zambia, the Lozi dialect is more commonly used in Mongu. Humphrey found an online New International Version of the Lozi Bible which she used. Illustrating the entire Bible would be difficult to accomplish in a year, so she started with the Book of Luke, one of the Gospels in the New Testament. “The book is aimed at the second-grade level,” she said. “Those are kids who can read and want to know more about Jesus, but they also need illustrations and bright colors to stay captivated. With the help of an adult reader, it could also be read to little children, and they would also enjoy the illustrations.” Humphrey selected stories to illustrate and Bible verses to highlight. She needed to test prototypes and experiment with book binding when she learned about ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Signature Experience Awards program, which provides funding for undergraduate students to work on research or creative works with a professor. With the grant, she purchased a thermal binding machine, paper, and ink. Her finished project was a 72-page, full-color book she displayed at the Student Research and Creative Works Expo on April 18. Her mentor was Kevin Cates, associate professor of graphic design. “These probably won’t be sent to Zambia since it would be much more economical for them to be printed in South Africa,” she said of the publication. However, Humphrey hopes to start a nonprofit called Translation Hope so she can raise funds to pay for Bible printing and distribution. In addition to being a student leader in Chi Alpha, Humphrey has worked on The Forum student newspaper as a designer, section editor, editor, and then executive editor. She also has interned in the Chancellor’s Office. Off campus, she works part-time for the after-school program at Lakewood United Methodist Church in North Little Rock and volunteers with the children and youth ministries at Otter Creek Assembly of God in Little Rock. Humphrey is the daughter of Anthony and Kim Humphrey of Fort Smith. Top right photo: Lauren Humphrey exhibits her illustrated children’s Bible at the Student Research and Creative Works Expo on April 18 in the Jack Stephens Center. Above photo: Lauren Humphrey binds pages together in a Bible she illustrated for children in Zambia. The project was part of her BFA in graphic design thesis project. Photos by Benjamin Krain

��Vlog��ý Little Rock student travels the globe to aid in fight for human rights

Jenny Lambert — Mon, 07 May 2018 20:29:09 +0000

Graduating student Andrea Elias couldn’t have imagined having a better experience at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. While pursuing her passion to help others, she encountered one-of-a-kind professors, met friends who became family, and traveled to Asia, Africa, and Europe, meeting new people and making unforgettable memories. During her time at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Elias, a native of Leon, Mexico, learned about the plight of vulnerable groups throughout the world, and through the study abroad program and other campus organizations, she was able to visit and work with a number of groups whose basic human rights had been abused. “Andrea has taken advantage of multiple opportunities to learn more about the world and to get involved,” said Joseph Giammo, associate professor of political science and international studies. “She volunteered at a school for refugee children in Thailand, helped to create a Spanish-language program for Women and Children First, a local non-profit she interned with that helps victims of domestic abuse, and volunteered over spring break with two groups in Houston that help victims of human trafficking.” Elias also traveled to Morocco for a Model Arab League conference and served as a tutor for French students learning Spanish during her study abroad stay at the University of France. Elias has enjoyed actively preparing herself for an employer that matches her love for people. She wants to continue to work toward helping to protect and guarantee the human rights and freedom of the underprivileged and disadvantaged. “Modern day slavery continues to exist today, and it needs to be eradicated,” she said. To assist in the fight to make this happen, Elias has been adamant about obtaining an exceptional education. She understands that it is a personal investment in herself, her future, and others. This is what drove her to persevere despite the long nights, little sleep, and loads of caffeine. “It wasn’t easy, nor was it cheap, but it will all be worth it,” she said. Elias’ biggest supporters, her mom, dad, step-dad, and sister, have encouraged her throughout her entire educational journey. In addition, she had professors who saw and nurtured her potential. “I cannot express my gratitude enough toward my professors and the faculty who truly invested in me,” Elias said. “I am so thankful for Drs. Rebecca Glazier, Eric Wiebelhaus-Brahm, Joseph Giammo, Zachary Hagins, Avinash Thombre, Brian Mitchell, professor Rosalie Cheatham, Emily Bell, Larry Rhodes, and so many others.” Throughout her journey, Elias met extraordinary people, but none compared to those who became her second family. After joining the Genesis Ministry and Chi Alpha campus ministry, Elias found a home away from home and established friendships unlike any she’d ever experienced. “These people have made an incredible impact on my life,” Elias said. “I enjoyed all of the game nights, retreats, and study nights, but what I enjoyed most was gaining long-lasting friendships. I got to be in my friends’ weddings, travel around the country, and go to Asia with this group, where we grew and matured, got to help others, and shared the love that God gave us.” On May 12, Elias will graduate from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock with two bachelor’s degrees in international studies and French. “Looking back, I never thought this season would be anything like it was,” she said. “Besides much growth and knowledge, it was one of such sweet memories.” Following graduation, Elias plans to take life one step at a time. Her future goals are to learn two more languages and later, pursue a master’s degree. “Through my university experience, I now know what I am capable of,” she said. “It has been one incredible ride, but it’s far from over. This is just beginning.”

Students say goodbye to summer, hello to fall semester

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 18:25:12 +0000

The first day of school tends to bring a roller coaster of emotions, from excitement and anxiety to anticipation. As ��Vlog��ýLR students said their final goodbyes to summer, they turned their focus to their long-term goals and sought to make their dreams come true. Audrey Kelley, an 18-year-old sophomore from Rogers, Arkansas, is dedicated to helping others.

Audrey Kelley

To turn her passion into a reality, Kelley hopes to obtain her degree in human resources and work in Walmart’s corporate office in Bentonville. While attending ��Vlog��ýLR her freshman year, Kelley joined forces with the campus ministry Chi Alpha and had the opportunity to spend this past summer in Africa on a mission trip. As she settles into the new school year, she plans to put lessons learned this summer into action. “This year, I want to get to know a lot of freshmen, and just love on them the way that God loves me,” she said.

Love what you do; do what you love

Not only does ��Vlog��ýLR have students who enjoy helping one another, but its students also push others to succeed.

Dillon Nash

Dillon Nash is a 22-year-old first-year graduate student from Brinkley, Arkansas, who seeks nothing but the best for incoming students. “I am so thrilled to kick off the new school year and engage with so many freshmen,” he said. Nash is a graduate assistant for the Chancellor’s Leadership Corps working with more than 230 students. Having participated in the corps all four years of his undergraduate career, Nash looks forward to seeing the growth and progression of ��Vlog��ýLR’s future leaders. Today, he has outlined his goals five years into the future. Nash plans to continue inspiring students at universities as he fulfills his goal to work in student affairs.

The road less traveled

The desire to help others is a driving force for many students this semester. However, there are others whose self-motivation pushes them one step further. Twenty-one-year-old Dipesh Patel is a Little Rock native who wants to tear down personal stereotypes.

Sid Patel

Dipesh Patel

“I never liked the stereotypical doctor thing with Indians. I wanted to be different,” he said. Patel is a criminal justice major who is ecstatic about enlisting in the military in spring 2017. He has always been a fan of the television show “Law and Order” and couldn’t wait to get exposed to the real thing. Now that Patel is headed down his chosen path, he hopes to encourage his best friend to live out his own dreams. Sid Patel, a 22-year-old senior moved to Arkansas from India about six years ago. He and Dipesh instantly became friends and are now inseparable. As his friend prepares to leave to start his newest venture, Sid has his thoughts centered on continuing his education. His major in physics and minor in information technology is sure to keep him busy, but for him, there’s no turning back. With plans to pursue an additional degree, Sid sees his first day of the semester as a head start into his future.

There’s a first time for everything

For many upperclassmen, transitioning from fun in the sun to homework and class lectures seems to be a breeze. For first time students, it might take a moment to get the ball rolling.

Princess Bell

Princess Bell is a 17-year-old freshman from Blytheville, Arkansas, with her eyes set on nursing school. Although she is motivated to do her best, adjusting to college life has been a bit of a struggle. Bell spent her first day crying because she missed her parents. As she begins to settle in, she plans on breaking out of her comfort zone and meeting new people. Her primary objective this semester is to make the dean’s list, so she looks forward to staying grounded and focused on her work.

Stairway to success

Breaking in new books and engaging with unfamiliar professors might be the highlight of the day for some, but for this next student, hitting the finish line is all she can think about.

Lottie Richardson

Lottie Richardson, a 20-year-old first year senior from Little Rock, Arkansas, is beginning her senior year with so much on her plate. As a mechanical systems engineering major with a double minor in mathematics and chemistry, time is more precious than it has ever been. With a goal set for a 4.0 grade point average, Richardson is determined to stay focus. After completing her bachelor’s degree, she looks forward to heading to medical school. Along the way, she aims to go on a medical mission trip to Africa to assist those in need. Five years from today, Richardson longs to have her white coat and be in the process of opening a children’s clinic in central Arkansas. Now that the first day jitters have come to an end, students are ready to start the semester off strong.

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

A Call to Ministry: Lauren Humphrey uses graphic design skills to illustrate Bible for African children

����Vlog��ý Little Rock student travels the globe to aid in fight for human rights

Students say goodbye to summer, hello to fall semester

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

��Vlog��ý Little Rock student travels the globe to aid in fight for human rights