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

Grad School announces winner of 3MT competition

Jenny Lambert — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 20:14:53 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Graduate School crowned the winner of its first Three Minute Thesis – 3MT competition – on Thursday, Feb. 8. Melanie Desmuke, a Ph.D. candidate in the College of Education and Health Professions, advised by Dr. Linda Dorn, stole the competition with her synopsis of “Culturally Responsive Teaching,” which addressed the cultural and linguistic gap between black and Latino students and their teachers. “Culturally responsive teaching requires teachers to identify, value, and honor the cultural and linguistic differences, rather than deficits, of each of their students,” Desmuke explained. “Teachers must keep in mind that even within a cultural or social group, there are within-group differences that should be identified and considered when developing instructional lessons.” Following the competition, Desmuke was awarded $500. In addition, she will represent ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in the regional 3MT competition in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on Saturday, Feb. 24. The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Graduate School will cover the trip’s expenses. He Zhang, a doctoral student in the College of Engineering and Information Technology, snagged second place with his presentation, “Robocane: Indoor GPS, Guiding White Cane.” Zhang, advised by Dr. Xian Liu, received $300. Other competition participants included:

Karrer Agjhazali, College of Arts, Letters and Sciences: “A Nano-bases Scaffold, Bioactive System for Nerve Injury Recovery.” Advisor, Dr. Alexandru Biris.
Suzan Anwar, College of Engineering and Information Technology: “Real Time Eye Blink Detection for Monitoring Drivers.” Advisor, Dr. Mariofanna Milanova.
Kevin Golden, College of Engineering and Information Technology: “Identifying Fraudulent Retail-Consumer Transactions using Cluster Analysis.” Advisor, Dr. Daniel Berleant.
Abdulrahman Homadi, College of Engineering and Information Technology: “Experimental and Modeling a Novel Thermo-Magneto-Electrical Linear Generator.” Advisor, Dr. Lawrence Whitman.
James Hurst, College of Social Sciences and Communication: “Framing Fear: The Campus Environment.” Advisor, Dr. Tusty ten Bensel.
Juan Sebastian Munoz Arango, College of Engineering and Information Technology: “Multi-user VR.” Advisor, Dr. Dirk Reiners.
Yu Nie, College of Engineering and Information Technology: “Does Chief Data Officer Matter?” Advisor, Dr. John Talburt.
Ujwani Nukala, College of Engineering and Information Technology: “Are you Prepared for Emergency Nuclear Alerts?” Advisor, Dr. Cesar Compadre.
Brenda Prochaska, College of Social Sciences and Communication: “The Contextual Factors that Matter in Juvenile Transfer.” Advisor, Dr. Tusty ten Bensel.
Rajat Singh, College of Engineering and Information Technology: “Muscle Synergies.” Advisor, Dr. Kamran Iqbal.
Junxiu Zhou, College of Engineering and Information Technology: “Smart Cane.” Advisor, Dr. Xian Liu.

Each participant was awarded a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card and a certificate of appreciation. The competition was organized by Kristi Wright, business manager of the Graduate School, and judged by Dr. Sherry Rankins-Robertson from the College of Social Sciences and Communications, Dr. Kent Layton from the College of Education and Health Professions, Dr. Nawab Ali from the College of Arts, Letters and Sciences, and Dr. Elizabeth Pierce from the College of Engineering and Information Technology. “The Graduate School is also very appreciative of the collaboration with the Communication Skills Center, which hosted a series of workshops last fall for doctoral students interested in the 3MT competition,” said Dr. Abhijit Bhattacharyya, interim vice provost for Research and dean of the Graduate School. For more information, contact Bhattacharyya at axbhattachar@ualr.edu.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to celebrate new Windgate Center of Art + Design with scholarship fundraiser

Janea Snyder — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 17:39:33 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will celebrate the opening of the Windgate Center of Art + Design on Friday, Feb. 16, with a signature scholarship fundraiser for art and design students presented by Affirmative Risk Management. The event begins at 7 p.m. and honors the Windgate Charitable Foundation for its generosity in making the new visual arts facility possible and its ongoing support of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Department of Art and Design. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students and faculty members will conduct art demonstrations throughout the evening, and libations and hors d’oeuvres, sponsored by Trio’s and ROXOR Artisan Gin, will be located throughout the building to encourage exploration. Tickets are $100 for general admission, $50 for lifetime members of the Alumni Association and ��Vlog��ý Little Rock employees, and may be purchased at ualr.at/cre8. A VIP reception for sponsors will take place from 6-7 p.m. The 65,000-square-foot center brings all programs in ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Department of Art and Design under one roof. The department currently has the broadest art and design course offerings in Arkansas, including the only programs in furniture design and metalsmithing. All proceeds from sponsorships and ticket sales will go toward the $3 million goal to endow art student scholarships. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has raised more than $1 million for endowed scholarship funds for art and design students since 2016, said Tom Clifton, interim dean of the College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences. Scholarship funds raised will substantially enhance the 10 existing scholarships dedicated to art and design students. The increased scholarship opportunities are expected to help attract the most talented and promising art students to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “The Windgate Center for Art + Design scholarship initiative is an incredibly worthy endeavor, and all Little Rock citizens have an opportunity to be part of this legacy by helping students achieve success and by helping the university gain national attention as a great art center,” said Mark L. Pollack, a 1988 graduate of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and founder of Affirmative Risk Management. “Giving back to those who have helped my wife Patricia and me reach our goals in life is one of the most rewarding things we’ve had the honor of doing,” Pollack continued. “��Vlog��ý Little Rock has provided us the underpinning that enabled us to reach a point in our lives where we are able to give back and help other students reach their goals through higher education.” Other event sponsors include Mark and Patricia Pollack, Thompson Electric, Arvest, BK Moulding & Mainframe Artworks, Glass Erectors, Anne Mourning, LaRand Thomas, Hogan Taylor CPA’s + Advisors, and WER Architects/Planners. For sponsorship information, contact Joseph Lampo, director of development for the arts, at 501-569-8326 or email jwlampo@ualr.edu.

Undergraduate Research Signature Experience recipients announced

Janea Snyder — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 22:01:26 +0000

Seventy-nine University of Arkansas at Little Rock students have been selected as the inaugural recipients of the Undergraduate Research Signature Experience Awards for spring 2018. Chancellor Andrew Rogerson introduced the awards in fall 2017 to inspire ��Vlog��ý Little Rock undergraduate students to conduct research and creative projects. Each of the recipients will receive up to $1,000 to cover the cost of materials for this one-semester signature experience in research or creative works. “It is our goal for all students to have the opportunity to have a Signature Experience during their time at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock – one in which they actively engage in creative work with faculty,” Dr. Rogerson said. “Not only will their academic experience be enriched by these connections, but they in turn will enrich the lives of others who benefit from the research. It is also my hope that it will help students engage with their major and consider graduate school.” ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is one of only two Arkansas higher education institutions with Carnegie designation for doctoral research. “With the Chancellor’s recognition, and strong support for undergraduate research, the university will enable valuable research experiences between our faculty mentors and our students,” said Dr. Velmer Burton, executive vice chancellor and provost. “This is further evidence at work of the value that our teacher-scholar model has for both students and faculty.” Daryl Rice, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs, noted that undergraduate research is tied to increased student persistence and graduation. “This is not surprising,” Rice said. “Undergraduate research gives students a special connection to a living scholar and provides an exhilarating taste of actually doing science, of doing sociological, historical or psychological research themselves, which has a big motivational effect.” The students’ projects range across disciplines and include topics such as a study of coral reef disease on San Salvador Island, a law review of tenant-landlord laws in Arkansas, an analysis of student perceptions of open education resources, the construction of a thermochemical system for conversion of municipal solid waste into fuel, and a reproduction of Egyptian faience ceramic techniques. “There were outstanding projects across the colleges,” said Dr. Jeremy Ecke, chair of the Student Research and Creative Works Committee. “The committee was particularly heartened to see proposals from the fine arts, theater and dance, music, math, and other disciplines that have been underrepresented in the annual research and creative works expo. This year’s launch of an expanded Student Research and Creative Works Showcase is off to a great start. I hope the awards will inspire other students to showcase their work in the spring.” Recipients of the Signature Experience Awards will exhibit their work at the Student Research and Creative Works Showcase on April 12 in the Jack Stephens Center. The showcase is open to all students across disciplines. Applications will be accepted beginning Jan. 1, 2018. Students interested in presenting work at the showcase or who want to learn more are asked to respond to a The Signature Experience Award winners by their respective colleges are as follows: College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences Reem Al-Shukri, Nanotechnology Emily Anderson, Chemistry Marina Avram, Chemistry Erin Beeman, Philosophy & Interdisciplinary Studies Lilly Bessette, Biology Becky Blackburn, Fine Art Andrew Blackwell, Art & Design Marvin Bonney, Physics and Astronomy Kenneth Burnett, Biology Brock Butler, Chemistry Michael Caysido, Music-Piano Performance Amairani Paredes-Cheguen, Biology Nathaniel Darbonne, English Jenish Desai, Chemistry Corrie Green, Theatre, Arts and Dance Jake Green, English Kristen Gregory, Biology Robert Hill, Chemistry Davonte Hokes, Chemistry Thomas Jackson, Theatre Arts and Dance Travis Lewison Jumper, Chemistry Emily E. Junkans, English/ World Languages Grishma Kc, Biology Amy King, History/Secondary Education William King, Biology (working with CINS) Cameryn Kirkham, English Samantha Macchi, Chemistry Katie Matthews, Biology Tyler Maxwell, Biology Rebecca Parker-Moreira, Chemistry Joy Madeline Reinbold, English Grace Rutter, Biology Paloma Salazar, Chemistry James Sellers, Chemistry Alaa Mohammed Shahare, Biology Kimber Stout, Physics Daniel Stuckey, Chemistry Zaria Sumler, Biology Sylvia Szewdo, Chemistry Thuy Thanh Le, Chemistry Conor VanLierop, Theatre Justice Williams, Biology LeShonta Williams, Chemistry Tori Williams, English Scott Wolf, Math and Statistics Dylan Wright, World Languages College of Education and Health Professions Cynthia Wyman, School of Social Work College of Social Sciences and Communication Charlana Benefiel, Political Science Desiree Doyle, Applied Communication Jesse Horton, Criminal Justice Saiyeeda Hossain, Sociology and Anthropology Cassandra Lester, Criminal Justice Chloe Moses, Rhetoric and Writing Trye Price, Criminal Justice Christina Redmann, Political Science Courtney Reed, Sociology and Anthropology Nigel Spears, Applied Communication Emily Summers, Anthropology Kimberly Thornton, Rhetoric and Writing Nicole Ursin, Anthropology George W. Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology Bergras Asgeirsdottir, Engineering Anderson Banihirwe, Computer Science Rebecca Bishop, Earth Science Kayla Bolin, Earth Science Pablo Centeno, Engineering Technology John Graham, System Engineering J’von Jackson, Engineering Technology Nicholas Lester, Information Science Joshua Miller, Engineering Technology Tarang Parikh, Engineering Technology Olivia Pate, Earth Science Jason Simmons, Earth Science Zachary Smith, Earth Science College of Business Madeline Burke, Marketing & Advertising Deepali Lal, International Business and Human Resource Management Abigail Resebdiz, Business Logan Vickery, Economics Ian Wren, Marketing Ottenheimer Library Amanda Pennington, Collections and Archives In the upper right photo, students work on a physics project in Ottenheimer Library. Photo by Lonnie Timmons III / ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Communications.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to host ACANSA Arts Festival events

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 13:53:19 +0000

The has teamed up with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock to bring a three-day celebration of the arts to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Sept. 22-24 as part of the annual festival. “We are very excited to partner with ��Vlog��ý Little Rock this year, especially since the university is building a new fine arts center and putting a new focus on that aspect of education,” said Dillon Hupp, executive director of the ACANSA Arts Festival. This year’s festival will feature a Sept. 23 performance by New York-based, which is known for its groundbreaking mix of methods, styles, and cultures. “They are one of the most sought after dance performance groups in the country, and we are thrilled to bring them to central Arkansas,” Hupp said. The festival will also feature a free performance by, a trio that combines the virtuosity of classical music with the immediacy of jazz and folk music. Additional events include three art exhibitions, artist talks, and workshops. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock ACANSA activities will kick off with an artist lecture by Peri Schwartz at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, in Room 161 of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Fine Arts Building. Schwartz will also lead a two-day workshop on printing, “Discovering Mylar,” Sept. 23-24 in Fine Arts Building Room 232. Those interested in attending should email artworks@ualr.edu. As part of the celebration, the artwork of Schwartz, Heidi Hogan, and Layet Johnson will be on display in the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Art Gallery located in the Fine Arts Building. The Art Gallery will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 23 with a 5 p.m. reception for the artists in Gallery 1, sponsored by Irene and George Davis and Kay and Bill Patton. A complete schedule of events and ticket information can be found at . Festival highlights at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock include:

9 Horses Concert: 6 p.m. Sept. 23, Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall in the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Fine Arts Building. Free admission.
Photo Booth run by ��Vlog��ý Little Rock art students: 6 p.m. Sept. 23, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Alumni Plaza in front of Ottenheimer Library.
Complexions Contemporary Ballet: 8 p.m. Sept. 23, University Theater in the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Center for Performing Arts. Before the performance, enjoy coffee, cake, and piano music performed by Michael Heavner in the University Theatre lobby. General admission tickets are $35, while tickets are $15 for students and military personnel.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock alum gives back by serving on newly formed council

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 15:05:28 +0000

Michael Bauer isn’t sure what direction his life might have taken if a University of Arkansas at Little Rock professor hadn’t taken a special interest in him while he was a graduate student. “I really liked my experience at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock,” Bauer said. “I didn’t have the highest GPA coming out of my undergraduate education, but Dr. Steve Jennings (former director of the bioinformatics program at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock) took a chance on me, accepted me into the program, and guided me through it.” After graduating from the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock joint bioinformatics doctoral program with the, Bauer, now 36, is an assistant professor of biomedical informatics at the . Now, Bauer is giving back by serving on the newly formed Science Dean’s Council at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Council members advocate on behalf of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences and garner community support for science programs, including faculty and undergraduate research funding, the Fribourgh Award receptions, and the Science Olympiad. “Dr. Jennings was of real help to me at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock,” he said. “Now I have a chance to give back and show my appreciation for this university. I want to give others the same opportunity I was given.”

Following a path to success

After completing his undergraduate education, Bauer finished a computer science internship in 2005 for minority students at the Arctic Region Supercomputing Center in Fairbanks, Alaska. He collected elevation data and satellite imagery to help create a 3-D flight simulator. “This experience showed me that I wanted to attend graduate school, and that I wanted to do more research.” A native of Farmington, New Mexico, Bauer earned bachelor’s degrees in computer science and biology from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, before leaving his desert homeland to pursue graduate degrees at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. As a graduate assistant at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Bauer worked on a National Science Foundation-funded project, WikiHyperGlossary, which served as an information literacy tool for chemistry education. “When I did my graduate research with Dr. Bob Belford, he had this idea to build a tool that would take a document and link it to images, glossaries, and videos, so you would be able to see and understand the concepts as you read them.” Bioinformatics is the science of collecting and analyzing complex biological data such as genetic codes. Bauer describes it as using the power of computers to get a handle on the unbelievably high amount of available biological data. “The human genome has over 3 billion base pairs, and you need supercomputers and that level of computational power to make sense of all that data,” he said. At the Myeloma Institute, Bauer’s work with advanced gene sequencing techniques allows him to develop personalized treatment plans for new myeloma patients. Myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow. Bauer’s work helps determine which treatment plan is best for each patient, helping them live longer and have a better quality of life. Bauer hopes bioinformatics will help him discover if there are genetic reasons why African Americans are as other races to be diagnosed with myeloma. “I’m interested in looking at African American health care,” he said. “They seem to be disproportionately diagnosed with myeloma. I want to know why African Americans get myeloma at higher rates than other races.” Bauer and his wife, Akemi, have four children, Kana, Sana, Mana, and Michihito, and reside in Little Rock.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock alumni encourage students to pursue STEM careers

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 15:37:48 +0000

When Jamilyn Noble was in fourth grade, her brother found a unique way to keep her off his back. “My older brother didn’t want to play monopoly with me because it took so long,” she said. “So he would give me his math worksheets and send me away to solve them.” Jamilyn Noble developed a love for math at an early age and set on a course that would be heavily influenced in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. Now Jamilyn Noble and her husband, Nate, both alumni of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock who have successful careers in STEM fields, are encouraging students to pursue STEM education through community service. Jamilyn Noble, a test engineer for Northrop Grumman Information Systems, is a 2004 graduate of the Master in Business Administration program, the same program in which her husband is currently enrolled as a student. Nate Noble, an environmental manager with the Arkansas Department of Health, is a 1998 graduate of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock with bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and biology. His love for science began in sixth grade, when PBS premiered “3-2-1 Contact,” a children’s television show that explored science concepts. He also wanted to honor his father, who never got a chance to earn a college degree but always dreamed of becoming a math teacher.

Giving back to the community

Knowing the value of a college education, the Nobles volunteer with students and help them succeed in getting to college. For the past two years, they have spread the message of the importance of STEM education as classroom speakers during Career Week at Forest Heights STEM Academy. While attending ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Noble tutored five days a week. He remembers his first student, a young man who received a full ride to college through a baseball scholarship but struggled with physics. “I just wanted him to keep his scholarship and be able to go to college,” Noble recalled. “He ended up getting an A in physics. I want to make sure that kids stay focused and understand science and math is an option to them.” Noble said the victories he has seen are well worth the time spent volunteering the past 25 years. Those victories include a student who had trouble in math but is now graduating from an aeronautics program in Florida, and a group of four women who were not interested in math and science in high school but are now pursuing math and science majors in college. “Seeing the light turn on with a child is what makes it worth it,” he said. “It’s worth it to take someone who didn’t think they have an aptitude in math and science and show them how to maximize that potential.” Noble was recently named to the newly created Science Dean’s Council at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Council members advocate on behalf of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences and garner community support for science programs, including faculty and undergraduate research funding, the Fribourgh Award receptions, and the Science Olympiad. Noble has seen far too many students, especially young women, avoid math and science classes by the time they get to high school and is saddened by the career options they give up by that decision. Jamilyn, too, is focused on helping girls pursue education and careers focused on STEM. She volunteers with, a University of Central Arkansas event that shows eighth-grade girls what careers they can have in STEM fields. She volunteered as a speaker during the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas’s annual program, a two-day conference that encourages eighth-grade girls to pursue STEM courses in high school. She also worked on the foundation’s Central Arkansas Grants Committee, which allocates funds for STEM projects. “What really inspires me is the fact that I am the result of somebody else’s sacrifice,” Jamilyn said. “There are so many that sacrificed so that I could get an education. I spend my life trying to pay them back.”

Building successful careers in STEM

Near the end of the cold war, Noble spent five years (three stationed in West Germany) working in U.S. Army Intelligence as a Russian linguist who intercepted and translated Soviet communications from 1987 to 1992.

Jamilyn and Nate Noble. Photo by Angie Faller/��Vlog��ý Little Rock Communications.

Nate Noble got a job as a quality control laboratory technician at Coca-Cola Inc. while a senior at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. The job opening was advertised in the science building where he took classes. Later on, he spent six years working with the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory, where he examined physical evidence for DNA and analyzed samples for controlled substances. As a forensic scientist, he served as an expert witness in criminal trials and was certified in the dismantling and destruction of methamphetamine labs. In 2004, Noble transferred to the Arkansas Department of Health, where he analyzed drinking water for contamination. As the interim environmental manager for the central region of Arkansas, Noble is responsible for directing operations of the public health program for two offices and conducting environmental health inspections. After Jamilyn earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Hendrix College, she spent more than 20 years working in software technology. She worked for Acxiom Corporation as a senior database project leader, senior data administrator, and delivery process architect. In 2006, she moved to Northrop Grumman Information Systems, where she is a test engineer. The Nobles’ love for STEM was passed to the next generation. Their 8-year-old son, Cohen, has participated in ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s SLUFY summer camp for the past three years. “He loves it,” Jamilyn said. “In our house, STEM education is a must.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock graduate exceeds expectations with final project

Jenny Lambert — Thu, 18 May 2017 16:16:01 +0000

In combining his love for film and theater, a recent University of Arkansas Little Rock graduate created a piece for his final project he hoped would, someday, serve as a symbol of his legacy. Following his high school graduation, William Wofford said goodbye to his hometown of Brinkley, Arkansas, and headed to college in the big city. Upon his arrival to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Wofford decided he would do everything in his power to succeed. Five years later, Wofford obtained bachelor’s degrees in mass communication and theater, along with experience that could take him both far and wide. Thanks to the work he completed while attending ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Wofford’s confidence in his abilities amplified. For his final project, he edited five years worth of footage to include in his brief documentary, “.” The 45 minute documentary is both philosophical and instructional, addressing the questions, ‘What is theater and why do we do it?’ The film also focuses on student’s and professor’s inspiration in the field and discoveries they’ve made throughout. “I dedicated this entire documentary to a very brilliant woman named Karen Harris,” Wofford said. “She was the administrative assistant in the theater and dance department. Unfortunately, she passed away two years ago, but it was her that encouraged me to really embrace my skills and flourish.” The original purpose of Wofford’s project was to serve as a classroom tool for his professor’s, Bill Marshall, introduction to theater class. With a greater vision in mind, Marshall insisted, ‘Why stop there?’ Contemplating Marshall’s advice, Wofford considered options that would take his project to the next level. “I was always taught in theater to ask questions and do the research,” Wofford said. “I asked myself, ‘What is theater?’ I had no idea that this question would be enough to make the people who hold Ph.D.s in my department say, ‘I have to think about that.’” Seeking to answer the age old question, Wofford interviewed more than 20 students and professors to hear their valued opinions. With the additional footage in hand, Wofford combined it with auditions, events, and other recordings he’d filmed throughout previous years. “I never thought I would be using videos of random memories to create something as big as this,” Wofford said. Because it took Wofford an entire semester to complete his project, he was more than excited to showcase the completed film. He submitted his work in the 2017 College of Social Sciences and Communication Research and Creative Works Showcase and took home the “Best Undergraduate Creative Work” award. “My professors pushed me beyond my boundaries,” Wofford said. “I was the director, editor, producer, and everything in between. I didn’t sign a contract or get paid for the project, but I simply did something I loved to do.” There were many times Wofford wanted to give up on the project. He remembers one of his roughest moments when almost all of his actors dropped out three hours before shooting a scene. “That day, I completely broke down,” he said. “I cried to my professor and I’ll never forget his reaction. After he laughed he said, ‘It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey.’ He told me it wasn’t the first time something like this would happen, so I would have to find a way to make it work.” And so he did. Thanks to the support of his family, professors, and peers, Wofford was determined to see the project to the end. Now that his work at the university is over, Wofford is gearing up to tackle the next phase of his journey. In 2018, he plans to move to Los Angeles to attend a conservatory school, a college for the study of classical music or other arts, including theater. Until then, he said he will continue to make as many videos as possible and work to perfect his craft.

Mayflower tornado led grad Tori Main to choose veterinarian career path

Jenny Lambert — Fri, 12 May 2017 16:54:31 +0000

At the age of 13, Tori Main began volunteering to help animals and dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. After her University of Arkansas at Little Rock commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 13, she will be one step closer to that dream. Main, a Mayflower, Arkansas, resident and Bertram, Texas, native, will graduate with a major in biology and minors in chemistry and nonprofit leadership studies. As a student, a science scholar, and a Chi Omega leader, Main sometimes neglected sleep to get everything done. “The hardest part of my journey was the process of figuring out when to say yes or no,” Main said. “There was a time period where I was struggling with so many obligations, I had to eliminate some stuff.” Through managing her time and prioritizing, Main was able to use more of her energy to do something she loves: volunteering. After a 2014 tornado struck Mayflower and damaged much of the city, Main stepped in to help care for animals in the community. She soon became an animal control officer, working with foster animals and potential adopters, all while taking more than 15 credits at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Because she loved the animal control work she did, Main became president of the nonprofit Paws and Whiskers Society. She now helps raise money to assist with the animal control’s finances. With so many tasks on her daily to-do list, Main worked to find ways to tie some of her responsibilities together. In an attempt to get people involved with her sorority’s annual fundraising event, Main suggested the chapter host a new event that would take its philanthropic efforts to the next level. In 2013, the chapter hosted its first Rent-A-Puppy fundraiser, which has people make donations to spend time with animals from local shelters. “It’s one of my favorite moments every year because everyone just brightens up when they see dogs and puppies,” Main said. Last year, Chi Omega raised more than $800 from Rent-A-Puppy to benefit the . This summer, Main will intern for Utah’s Best Friends Animal Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building no-kill animal shelter programs and partnerships. Following her internship, Main is set to begin veterinary school in August at , where she received a full ride. Once she becomes a certified vet, Main plans to begin the process of starting her own nonprofit clinic. “I’ve wanted to be a veterinarian since I start volunteering with animals,” Main said. “I want to start my own clinic and incorporate the ideals of a low-cost spay and neuter clinic. I’ll provide vaccines and spay and neutering surgeries that a lot of people can’t afford.” In expanding her efforts to assist animals and the community, Main plans to continue her work with animal rescues wherever she resides.

Grad Q&A with Donaghey scholar Jeannie Kuang-Nguyen

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Fri, 12 May 2017 16:09:53 +0000

Meet Jeannie Kuang-Nguyen, Donaghey scholar and science scholar who’s a pre-med student set to graduate with a degree in chemistry. The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will celebrate the graduation of Kuang-Nguyen and hundreds of other students during commencement ceremonies Saturday, May, 13, at the Jack Stephens Center. Tell us a little bit about yourself I went Wilbur D. Mills High School in Little Rock and was the valedictorian of my class. My parents live in Sherwood, Arkansas. I lived on the ��Vlog��ý Little campus all four years because I did not want to commute. Why did you choose ��Vlog��ý Little Rock? I originally wanted to go out of state, but when I received a full scholarship from the Donaghey Scholars program, it solidified my decision to stay in state. My friends told me I could have gone to school anywhere, but I think it’s what you make of the opportunity. My experience at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock exceeded my expectations. How did you become a Donaghey scholar? My AP literature teacher at Mills was a former Donaghey scholar and recommended I apply for the program. I was looking for in-state options with a full scholarship. I turned in my essays the day they were due. I got a call, then an interview. On a Thursday after a soccer game, I got an email from Pomona College that said I was accepted. Then I found out I got accepted into the Donaghey scholar program! Why did you major in chemistry? My eighth-grade science teacher suggested I take AP chemistry in high school prior to taking biology. The exam for AP chemistry is one of the hardest. I enjoy chemistry because it involves mathematics and logic. It requires critical thinking skills because you have to take steps to get to the right answer. How would your professors describe you? Most would say that I’m a good student who likes to help in the office. I’m involved in a lot of clubs, and I’m the president of the Chemistry Club. Under what conditions do you study best? I can study in a noisy Starbucks or a quiet environment. However, If the environment is not clean, I’ll start cleaning it. When I was growing up, I studied at the dining room table and could hear food being prepared in the kitchen. That’s how I learned how to drown out noise and focus. What were your favorite subjects? I enjoyed chemistry and biology. Physics, not so much. Organic chemistry requires you to think. You can’t just memorize – you have to figure out how to solve a puzzle. With each step, a reaction occurs. You can apply different steps to get a different reaction. Who were some of your mentors? Dr. Tito Viswanathan (Dr. Tito) opened my eyes to research and showed me how organic chemistry works. Dr. Brian Berry (Organic 2 Chemistry lab) was always available. The Donaghey Scholars faculty and staff (Dr. Simon Hawkins, Dr. Jessica Scott, and Jennifer Knight) were always there if you needed to vent. Also Dr. Janet Lanza and Dr. Jim Winter helped me get through tough courses and reminded me of my abilities. How did your major influence your career interests? I’ve always known I wanted to go to medical school. Organic chemistry helped me develop critical-thinking skills which doctors need to make diagnoses. What kind of medicine do you want to practice? Either pediatrics or ob-gyn. I got interested in surgery because of the medical reality TV shows. What was your biggest challenge in college? Managing my time wisely. My third year of college was the hardest. I was on the student committee for the Donaghey Scholars program, participating in intramural sports (soccer, volleyball), and taking science classes. I was studying more than 40 hours a week, and even while I was eating out with my friends. How do you relieve stress? I do a lot of things to relieve stress such as run and lift weights with my friends. I like hiking Pinnacle Mountain and exploring the River Market in Little Rock. What was the toughest decision you had to make? The toughest decision was to take a break before going to med school. I just got a temporary job at Loreal as a chemist and will spend my free time studying for the MCAT. I’m going to Oaxaca, Mexico, for three weeks this summer to improve my Spanish. What would you have done differently in college? I would have pursued a Spanish major. I studied abroad for five weeks in Salamanca, Spain, and loved it. What advice would you give to upcoming students? Keep trying and don’t give up. Remember to have fun, but not too much fun. Do what you love, and don’t choose something just for the money. — Compiled by Toni Boyer Stewart

��Vlog��ý Little Rock hosts summer camps

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 16:04:15 +0000

Looking for an engaging summer program to keep a motivated student academically challenged, or interested in having the student explore a new interest, or build athletic skills? The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is hosting a variety of summer camps in musical theatre, writing, computer coding, basketball, volleyball, swimming, soccer, and more. Young Writers Camp Dates: June 19-23, 8 a.m. to noon Grades: 3-6 Cost: $125 Contact: Pam Maisen, 501.951.6574 Emerging Writers Institute Dates: June 19-23, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Grades: 7-9 Dates: June 26-30, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Grades: 10-12 Cost: $125 Contact: Greg Graham, gxgraham@ualr.edu MT Stage: The Hamilton Experience Dates: June 26-30 Grades: 7-8 Cost: Free Contact: 501.569.3410 or giftedcenter@ualr.edu Dates: July 10-21, 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Grades: K-8 Cost: $300 Contact: 501.569.3410 or giftedcenter@ualr.edu

Trojan Athletics summer camps

Van Compton, vxcompton@ualr.edu Hitter/Setter Camp: July 10-11, Grades 8-12, $50 Serve/Serve-Receive Camp: July 12-13, Grades 8-12, $50 Defensive Specialist Camp: July 14, Grades 8-12, $35 Individual Camp: July 17-20, Grades 4-12, $150 Senior High Team Camp: July 24-25, $50 Junior High Team Camp: July 26-27, $50 Contact: Amy Burgess, amburgess1@ualr.edu Session I: June 5-9, June 12-15, Ages 4-12, $75 for eight lessons Session II: June 19-22, June 26-29, Ages 4-12, $75 for eight lessons Session III: July 10-13, July 17-20, Ages 4-12, $75 for eight lessons Session IV: July 24-27, July 31 – Aug. 3, 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: Adrian Blewitt, ablewitt@msn.com Individual Summer Camp: June 6-9, Ages 5-6 (half day), $120, and ages 7-13 (full day), $190 Individual Summer Camp: June 13-16, Ages 5-6 (half day), $120, and ages 7-13 (full day), $190 Discounts available for siblings and students participating in both weeks of camp. Session I: June 12-15, Grades K-3 (morning), $110, and Grades 4-12 (afternoon), $200 Session II: June 26-29, Grades K-3 (morning), $110, and Grades 4-12 (afternoon), $200 Session III: July 10-13, Grades K-3 (morning), $110, and 4-7 (afternoon), $200 Those who register before June 1 will receive a $15 discount. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock faculty and staff will receive a 50 percent discount. Steve Wiedower, slwiedower@ualr.edu, or Robert Dallimore, rjdallimore@ualr.edu Team Camp 1: June 9-10, $180 per day Team Camp 2: Aug. 1-3, $180 per day Advanced Skills Camp: June 24-25, Grades 9-12, $100 Individual Camp: June 12-14, Grades 1-4 and 5-12, $95 Mini Camp: June 12-14, Grades 1-4, $75

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Benton Center

Tour of the Sciences Dates: June 12-16 Grades: 7-9 Applications due June 1

Computer Coding using Minecraft Dates: June 19-23 Grades: 8-12 Applications due June 12 In the upper right photo, April Blackburn teaches gifted children in the SLUFY program as they combine baking soda with Coke.

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

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����Vlog��ý Little Rock to host ACANSA Arts Festival events

����Vlog��ý Little Rock alum gives back by serving on newly formed council

����Vlog��ý Little Rock alumni encourage students to pursue STEM careers

����Vlog��ý Little Rock graduate exceeds expectations with final project