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

Shellam Shares Importance of Art and Business Philanthropy in Higher Education

John Hill — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 15:06:49 +0000

Philanthropist Leslye Shellam shared the importance of supporting college students in both the arts and business during a Sept. 27 panel discussion at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The first-of-its-kind panel brought together business school and art students in one scholarship presentation to show a greater benefit to the community. Shellam has a unique perspective with having created scholarships across disciplines at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. She is a major contributor to the L. Dickson Flake Scholarship in honor of her father, one of four original partners of the predecessor to , and created the Linda Blaine Flake Scholarship in honor of her mother, who was an artist. “Leslye has a creative spirit and powerful passion for education,” said Elizabeth Small, director of business networks and instructor of real estate development, who moderated the panel discussion. “Many of us knew Linda and Dickson Flake, and they would have enjoyed their daughter’s desire to help students.” The panelists also included Michael Johnson, director of development for the College of Business, Health, and Human Services, and Joseph Lampo, director of development for the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education. “I do love art, and I love business,” Shellam said. “I love it more and more now that I see the creativity in business. Finding the synergies between disciplines, whether it’s nursing or education, that is something we can all offer. My husband Ray and I are grateful to have this opportunity to keep honoring my parents and what their legacy was, and we hope to do that as long as possible.” The panel also honored some of the 2022-2023 student scholarship recipients, including Flake Scholarship Recipients Ashley Lawrence and Lamar Townsend as well as Linda Blaine Blake Scholarship Recipient Annika Wade. Wade asked Shellam how her mother’s art inspired her to become a philanthropist, and why she feels so strongly about supporting students today. “My parents died recently, and this was honoring their legacy,” Shellam said. “My dad was very involved with ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. My mom loved it when she got to expose her art to students.�� You have to do what you think they would have wanted you to do.”

Members of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Art and Design program pose with scholarship recipient Annika Wade, second from left, and scholarship donor Leslie Shellam, second from right. An original painting by Arkansas artist and philanthropist Linda Blaine Flake was donated to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock by Flake’s daughter, Leslye Shellam, during a panel discussion on how art and business are connected and the importance of philanthropy in supporting students in both fields. Photos by Ben Krain.

Shellam went on to describe how accessing both your creative and business sides will help people become more successful in life. “The best accountants get artistic, and the best lawyers come up with the most creative arguments,” Shellam said. “My father was credited with figuring solutions to development issues that were considered impossible, but he looked at it from a different way. I think it was his confidence. He was confident enough to let the creative part of his brain look at the problem from a different angle. He would often discuss a business problem with my mom, who was a fine artist. She would say, ‘Dickson, it’s as simple as this,’ and that was the solution. My mom would do the same thing. My father didn’t have any art background, but he would often have the answer.” Shellam concluded the panel by presenting all of the student scholarship recipients with cards featuring her mother’s artwork. She also announced the donation of one of her mother’s paintings, “Market Song,” to the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Permanent Art Collection. The painting depicts beautiful songbirds singing while perched in a colorful cage.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock receives $100,000 to establish endowed scholarship for Colliers International co-founder Dickson Flake

John Hill — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 22:57:03 +0000

A proud daughter has made a $100,000 donation to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock to honor her father’s legacy in real estate. Leslye Shellam, daughter of L. Dickson Flake, one of four original partners of the predecessor to , made the donation to establish the L. Dickson Flake Endowed Scholarship during an Oct. 28 reception at the Bailey Alumni and Friends Center on the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock campus. “My father saw a great future for Little Rock. He was an avid Trojan fan, loved the university, and loved the education prospects,” Shellam said. “His goal for the scholarship is to give students the chance to get creative and able to concentrate on his or her vision to bring the real estate industry forth for the city and for the good of all of us who live here.” The scholarship will be used to provide assistance for education-related expenses, including tuition, books, fees, and room and board, for undergraduate students pursuing a finance degree with an emphasis in real estate in the School of Business. Flake, who passed away this summer at the age of 81, was well known in the Little Rock real estate community. In 1971, Dickson joined three partners to form Barnes, Quinn, Flake and Anderson, predecessor of the Little Rock – Bentonville commercial real estate firm of Colliers International, which is now the largest commercial real estate company in Arkansas. In 1973, Flake was the youngest member to date invited to membership in the American Society of Real Estate Counselors in 1973. He served as the organization’s president in 1989. He was awarded the CCIM organization award from the Realtors National Marketing Institute and SIOR designation from the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors. In 1982, he received the Snyder Award from the CCIM organization for the most creative real estate exchange in the U.S. He was a member of The Little Rock Realtors Association, serving as its president in 1972 and was Arkansas Realtor of the Year in 1971. “My dad lived real estate. He loved it dearly, lived it daily,” Shellam said. “It is so much more than a degree or a title. I think my dad really demonstrated and lived that. He was a true family man, provider, teacher, and always there when you needed him. The company, Colliers International, was his second family. It shows you how whatever you do, the dedication and the ethics that you do it with, expands much further. I am so grateful for the bridge that these families, dad’s and Colliers, continue to impact Little Rock’s future, and I can’t wait to see the results of the students who are embarking on this career.” In addition to his prowess in the real estate community, Flake was a firm believer in the merits of higher education. He served as a member of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Board of Visitors for 12 years and served as chairman in 1995 and 1996. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s College of Business began its real estate program in the 1970s, but the college began revising the program in 2016 with advice from the local real estate community.�� “This donation reflects the importance of real estate in the local economy and of having an excellent real estate program at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock,” said Dr. Mark Funk, chair of the Department of Finance. “Enrollment in the real estate program has doubled in the past few years.”

Dickson Flake

Elizabeth Small, former president and CEO of PDC Companies and PDC Construction, serves as the primary instructor for the real estate program. Since joining ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Small said the real estate program has placed an emphasis on building partnerships with the real estate community to provide opportunities for students to participate in real-world experiences before they graduate. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Real Estate program includes an advisory board, established in 2019, comprised of industry professionals who consult on curriculum development, serve as guest presenters/teachers in the classroom, open their businesses for educational field trips, serve as mentors, and provide internship opportunities for students. Small recalled how dedicated Flake was to the success of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock real estate program. “He was a powerful voice of reason in a most pragmatic and sometimes subtle way,” Small said. “When transitioning from a career in real estate development to teach that very subject, I received a wonderful note of congratulations and encouragement from Dickson. Because Dickson’s words were always special and supportive, I kept that note and I always will. When Dr. Wayland hired me to teach, my conversations with Dickson turned from the business of real estate to real estate education. He remained encouraging, supportive, and was clear about wanting us to produce graduates qualified to work not only in his office, but in other offices in the region. Dickson saw our students, as we do, as part of the economic development engine that keeps a region strong.” In the upper right photo, Dr. Jane Wayland (left), dean of the College of Business, Health, and Human Services, Leslye Shellam (center), daughter of L. Dickson Flake, and Elizabeth Small (right), instructor of real estate, attend a reception at the Bailey Alumni Center to celebrate the establishment of the L. Dickson Flake Endowed Scholarship at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Business to honor Guinn, Holbert as 2018 Distinguished Alumni

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 29 Aug 2018 15:56:41 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will honor Marcus Guinn, executive vice president and loan manager at, as the College of Business Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. The university will also honor Drew Holbert, principal and vice president of brokerage at, as the Dean’s Award for Excellence winner at the 2018 College of Business Distinguished Alumni Luncheon on Oct. 17.�� The special award luncheon, presented by Arvest Bank, will be held at the Little Rock Marriott, 3 Statehouse Plaza. Registration opens at 10:45 a.m. with lunch served at 11:30 a.m. The highest honor granted by the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Business, the Distinguished Alumni award is given to a graduate who has made a significant impact in business or a nonprofit organization and who has served the community and ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Guinn is a 1998 graduate of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock with a bachelor’s degree of finance. He is a seven-year veteran of Arvest Bank and has enjoyed a successful 33-year career in banking. In his current position, Guinn leads a team of 50 commercial bankers and is responsible for the overall growth and profitability of Arvest’s loan portfolios in central, southwest and northeast Arkansas, worth more than $1.5 billion. Guinn and his wife, Valencia, live in Little Rock. He is the father of one daughter, two sons, and one grandson. Guinn is an active alumnus of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock dedicated to the future success of College of Business students. He is a member of the College of Business Advisory Board. Through his work at Arvest, which often partners with the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Business, Guinn attends many College of Business events and fundraisers, advising business students, giving valuable advice as a guest speaker, and mentoring those who intern at Arvest. “The College of Business is pleased to honor Marcus Guinn as the Distinguished Alumnus for 2018,” said Dr. Jane Wayland, Stephen Harrow Smith Dean of Business. “Marcus has been a very active member of the College of Business Advisory Board and has taken time to talk to our students and tell his story. He represents everything we want for our students – achievement and leadership.” In his other volunteer roles, Guinn serves as president of the Central Arkansas Risk Management Association as well as a board member of Baptist Health Foundation, Positive Atmosphere Reaches Kids (P.A.R.K), and TENDAJI Community Development Corporation. He is also a regular presenter at Money Matters, a financial literacy and education program at Saint Mark Baptist Church sponsored by Arvest. “I am very honored to be recognized,” Guinn said. “��Vlog��ý Little Rock will always be near and dear to my heart. I am really appreciative of the university education and what it has allowed me to do professionally. I think this award is a testament that I have done some positive things to make the university proud.”

Dean’s Award for Excellence

The Dean’s Award for Excellence is granted to a graduate of the past 10 years who has shown promise as a leader in business or nonprofit work, and who is actively involved in serving Little Rock and the university. Holbert received his Master of Business Administration from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2010. He is a member of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Alumni Association and an active participant in the annual College of Business Golf Tournament. He started his career at Colliers International | Arkansas (then Dickson Flake Partners) in 2005 as an intern, was named a shareholder in 2013, and a principal in 2015. Since that time, Colliers Arkansas has grown from 50 employees and approximately 6 million managed square feet to 120 employees and over 18 million managed square feet. Colliers Arkansas was founded in 1971 as Barnes, Quinn, Flake and Anderson, and is the state’s largest commercial real estate, property management and development management firm. Holbert and his wife Lindsey live in Little Rock with their three children, Beau, Tess and Violet. “Drew has moved rapidly in his firm and proves that success can be achieved with a vision and a good work ethic,” Wayland said. “He has found time to serve his community and is an excellent role model for our students.” In 2017, Holbert was selected as one of Arkansas Business’ 40 Under 40. He was a founding member of Create Little Rock, a 2010 initiative of the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce to retain, attract and develop young professional talent. He is also a board member and past president of the Downtown Little Rock Kiwanis Club, a member of the activities board of the Joseph Pfeifer Kiwanis Camp, and president of the Arkansas Chapter of the Certified Commercial Investment Member Institute, which recognizes expertise in commercial and investment real estate. “I am so honored to receive this award,” Holbert said. “I wasn’t expecting it, and it’s such an honor for me to be chosen when so many talented people have come of out this university and the College of Business.” Tickets for the event are $100 and can be purchased online. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact Dr. Wayland at 501-569-3356 or jpwayland@ualr.edu.

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

Shellam Shares Importance of Art and Business Philanthropy in Higher Education

����Vlog��ý Little Rock receives $100,000 to establish endowed scholarship for Colliers International co-founder Dickson Flake

����Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Business to honor Guinn, Holbert as 2018 Distinguished Alumni

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

��Vlog��ý Little Rock receives $100,000 to establish endowed scholarship for Colliers International co-founder Dickson Flake

��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Business to honor Guinn, Holbert as 2018 Distinguished Alumni