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

Holzer to Debut Music by Four Artists in Sept. 23 Piano Recital

John Hill — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 18:24:32 +0000

Dr. Linda Holzer, university professor of music, will present a piano recital, “Ears Wide Open,” Friday, Sept. 23, at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. The recital will feature the Arkansas premieres of piano solos by Arkansas composer Florence Price, American composer Gwyneth Walker, Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov, and Syrian-American composer Kareem Roustom. The concert, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall in the Fine Arts Building at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. The concert will open with the Arkansas premiere of “Riddle Variations” by Walker, followed by the premieres of Bagatelle I and Bagatelle II by Silvestrov and “Aleppo Songs,” “How Beautiful the Light of the Rising Son,” and “Antiochian Hymn” by Roustom. Holzer was inspired to perform pieces by a Ukrainian and Syrian composer after watching a PBS interview of Syrian artists who were offering their support for the people of Ukraine. “That’s what eventually led me to find Roustom’s piano piece ‘Aleppo Songs,’” Holzer said. “These contemporary pieces are expressive and intriguing, and I predict listeners will be very moved by this music.” Holzer, who is an expert in the history and music of Arkansas composer Florence Price, will also give the Arkansas premiere of her powerful piano solo, Fantasie Nègre No. 4 in B Minor. “I’m also looking forward to sharing masterpieces by Bach, Granados, Debussy, Satie, and Chopin,” Holzer said. “This program offers listeners a combination of fresh new works and familiar piano favorites.” The recital will also include “Sarabande” by Claude Debussy, Gnossienne No. 4 by Erik Satie, “Italian Concerto, BWV 971,” by J.S. Bach, “Andaluza” by Enrique Granados, and Nocturne in F minor, Op. 55 #1 and Ballade in F Major, Op. 38 by Frédéric Chopin.

Holzer Awarded Honorific Title of University Professor at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

John Hill — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 13:05:26 +0000

Dr. Linda Holzer, a professor of music at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock since 1995, has been promoted to university professor, an honorific title for outstanding professors. Holzer is only the second ��Vlog��ý Little Rock professor who has received the title of university professor. She joins Dr. David Briscoe, university professor of sociology, who was the first ��Vlog��ý Little Rock faculty member to earn this honorific promotion in 2021. This is a special honor conferred only upon active faculty in recognition of an extended period of exemplary service in a spirit of collegiality to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock as well as a combination of service in their profession and to the public through their professional activities. “As I’m celebrating the end of my 28th year on faculty at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, I’m very moved to receive this honor,” Holzer said. “I feel fortunate to have a job where my focus is on musical meaning and creativity.” In order to achieve the distinction, faculty members must have been a full professor for 10 years and have gained wide recognition at the national or international level for their sustained excellence in service, teaching, research, or creative activity relevant to their respective disciplines and academic roles. Holzer has become well known for her advocacy on behalf of Arkansas composers Florence Price and William Grant Still. Price was the subject of Holzer’s dissertation at Florida State University. In 2018, Holzer’s work helped Price to be honored with the Music Teachers National Association Foundation Fellow Award. This year Holzer honored Price’s memory in a celebration at Mosaic Templars Cultural Center on April 9, which was declared Florence Price Day. She has also been a featured speaker on the Clinton School of Public Service Speaker Series in November 2019, lecturing about Price and Still in advance of historic concerts by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. On stage, highlights from her concert performances include an October 2021 concert at the Clinton Presidential Library, performing Price’s Piano Quintet in A Minor with members of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra on the prestigious River Rhapsodies Series, and performing as a soloist abroad in Austria and Slovenia under the auspices of the State Department in May 2018, giving recitals of music by American women composers.

Dr. Linda Holzer attends the Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame celebration in 2018.��

While she specializes in piano performance, Holzer is grateful to have had the opportunity to teach a broad variety of classes over the years. One of her more unique classes is Exercises in Creative Thinking, an interdisciplinary learning experience for students from all majors. “We explore creative thinking skills and techniques that anyone can acquire to add more creativity, innovation, and resourcefulness to their life and work,” Holzer said. “I enjoy that course especially because many students may not self-identify as creative. This class is designed to awaken creative skills in anyone. By the end of the semester, it’s not unusual for students to have pleasantly surprised themselves by what they can do.” She has served the university in a variety of roles, including as team leader for Teaching with Technology in the former College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (AHSS), and most recently as secretary for the college assembly for the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education. Holzer’s next performance will be a Sept. 23 recital at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. This will include selections by Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov and Syrian American composer Kareem Roustom as well as the Arkansas premiere of Gwyneth Walker’s piece “Riddle Variation.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Professor Helps Honor Famed Composer Florence Price

John Hill — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 16:44:26 +0000

Gov. Asa Hutchinson has declared , as Florence Price Day in honor to celebrate the achievements of the famous Arkansas pianist and composer on her birthday. At ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Dr. Linda Holzer, professor of music and coordinator of classical piano studies, will be instrumental in leading celebrations of Florence Price’s life, music, and career. Holzer has dedicated many years to studying the legacy of Price and promoting her music through concerts, conferences, and lectures. “Florence Price made history in 1933 when the Chicago Symphony gave the world premiere of her Symphony No. 1 in E Minor under the baton of maestro Fredrick Stock,” Holzer said. “She became the first African American woman composer to have a work performed by a major American orchestra. It’s vital that we recognize her in Arkansas as part of Arkansas cultural heritage, as well as a trailblazer in American music history.” Holzer will be featured as a performer and a scholarly presenter in various events connected with Florence Price Day. The celebratory events include:

Holzer will give a presentation about Price and William Grant Still, another famous Arkansas composer, at 10:30 a.m. April 6 at Central High School. The event will be hosted by Dr. Brice Evans, director of instrumental music at Central High School.
Mosaic Templars Cultural Center will host a free concert in honor of Price at 6 p.m. April 9. Holzer will perform solo piano selections and accompany songs performed by Nisheedah Golden, mezzo-soprano, and Ron McDaniel, baritone. Participants must register for the event .
University Television will broadcast “A Discussion of Arkansas Composers” on April 4. This program about Price and Still was originally filmed in 2019 at the Clinton School of Public Service with Holzer and conductor Andrew Grams. Broadcast times are at 3 a.m., 11 a.m., and 7 p.m., on Cable Channel 61/1095, U-Verse Channel 99, or .
will air the concert “Two Creative Voices from Arkansas: Florence Price and William Still Grant” on April 6 at 3 a.m., 11 a.m., and 7 p.m., and April 8 at 4 a.m., noon, and 8 p.m.
K��Vlog��ýR will broadcast the radio documentary “Gathering the Pieces: the Florence Price Legacy” on KLRE 90.5 on April 10 at noon and K��Vlog��ýR 89.1 April 10 at 5:30 p.m.
Arkansas PBS will broadcast a new episode, “Florence Price and the Great Migration,” on the “Great Performances” series at 8 p.m. April 15. Host Scott Yoo of “Now Hear This!” filmed the episode in Little Rock, Fayetteville, and Chicago.

Holzer to Discuss Arkansas Roots of Famous Composer Florence Price

John Hill — Sun, 01 Aug 2021 13:20:26 +0000

Linda Holzer, a professor of music at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, will be featured in a panel at an upcoming conference celebrating the life of famed pioneering Arkansas composer Florence Price. The International Florence Price Festival, also known as , is a festival of music dedicated to Price’s legacy. The University of Maryland at College Park is hosting the virtual conference Aug. 20-23. Price is a Little Rock native who became the first African-American woman composer to have a symphonic composition performed by a major American orchestra, and was one of the first African-American classical composers to gain international attention. After her first symphony received its world premiere by the Chicago Symphony, she was commissioned by Britain’s famed Sir John Barbirolli for an orchestral work.�� Holzer will serve as moderator for the Aug. 22 panel discussion, “Roots and Wings: The Role of Florence Price’s Arkansas Heritage.” The panelists will discuss the nurturing inspirational forces in Little Rock that shaped Florence Price’s childhood education, and laid the groundwork for her successes in Boston and Chicago, becoming the foundation for her professional career. “It’s exciting to have the opportunity to tell the story of how the culture, values, and vision of the African American community in Little Rock were a grand force that propelled its children forward, and equipped Florence Price for later successes,” Holzer explained. “The dynamic environment, at the turn of the 20th century this city was known as the ‘Negro Paradise,’ offering experiences during her childhood that developed her confidence and shined a light on possibilities for her future. I’m honored to be joined by insightful colleagues for the panel discussion.” The panelists include Dr. Sybil Hampton, retired president of Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, Dr. Stephen Hayes of Philander Smith College, Dr. Earnest Lamb of Minnesota State University at Moorhead, and Benji de la Piedra, director of the Herbert Denton Community History Project for the Central Arkansas Library System.�� A child prodigy in piano, Price later attended the prestigious New England Conservatory in Boston. Following graduation, she worked as a music teacher in Arkansas for four years and then worked as the chair of the music department at Atlanta’s Clark University, a historically black university. After returning to Little Rock in 1912, Price was active as a teacher, organist, composer, and founder of the Little Rock Club of Musicians. “At the time of her death in 1953, she had composed more than 300 works,” Holzer said. “Her art songs were performed by Marian Anderson, Leontyne Price, and others, and eventually Price was commissioned by the British conductor Sir John Barbirolli, who premiered her Suite for Strings in Manchester, United Kingdom. A tireless achiever, Price composed a wealth of beautiful solo piano music, chamber music, symphonic works, and splendid art songs.” The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra will honor Price with performances this season, beginning with the first River Rhapsodies chamber music concert on Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. at the Clinton Presidential Library. The concert will include a performance of Price’s Piano Quintet in A minor featuring Holzer, who wrote a about the event. Holzer will be joined by Sandra McDonald, violin, Leanne Day-Simpson, violin, Katherine Reynolds, viola, and Rafael León, cello.�� Holzer completed her dissertation on the solo piano music of Florence Price, and in recent years that she has brought that research full circle through many talks and recitals on Price’s life, history, and music.�� She published an article, “This Is What Diversity Sounds Like,” in a 2018 issue of “Clavier Companion.”�� Price applied for and was denied entry to the Arkansas State Music Teachers Association sometime between 1917 and 1927 because of her race. Holzer was instrumental in making sure Price was recognized by the Music Teachers National Association in 2018 as a Music Teachers National Association Foundation Fellow. In the upper photo, Dr. Linda Holzer, middle, is joined by Sandra McDonald, Leanne Day-Simpson, Rafael León, and Katherine Reynolds. They will perform Price’s Piano Quintet in A minor on Oct. 12.

Holzer to give lecture on historic Arkansas composers through Celebrate! Maya Project

John Hill — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 14:10:10 +0000

Dr. Linda Holzer, professor of music at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, will present a lecture-recital in honor of Arkansas composers Florence Price and William Grant Still. The free online presentation will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, via Zoom. Holzer will participate in a new lecture series by the . The Build A Better World Through the Arts & Literature lecture series, produced in partnership with the Arkansas Humanities Council, will include a musician, artist, historian and writer, and poet from diverse arts and literary backgrounds whose life journeys and contributions closely mirror Maya Angelou’s philosophy of community building through arts and literature. “It’s important to me that Arkansans are aware of the incredible stature of these two composers, nationally and internationally,” Holzer said. “The Celebrate! Maya project has given me this opportunity to shine a spotlight on these great composers. We want to make Florence Price and William Grant Still household names in their native city. I would love to see the day when everyone in Arkansas knows who Florence Price and William Grant Still are.” Price is a Little Rock native who became the first African-American woman composer to have a symphonic composition performed by a major American orchestra, and was one of the first African-American classical composers to gain international attention. After her first symphony received its world premiere by the Chicago Symphony, she was commissioned by Britain’s famed Sir John Barbirolli for orchestral work.

Florence Price

William Grant Still

Still, born in Mississippi, moved in infancy to Little Rock with his mother after his father’s tragic death from typhoid. He graduated as valedictorian of M.W. Gibbs High School in 1911. During his successful musical career, Still conducted the Los Angeles Philharmonic and other orchestras and earned two Guggenheim Fellowships and honorary doctorates from Oberlin College and Pepperdine University. “Both Florence Price and William Grant Still lived through the terrible 1918 flu epidemic,” Holzer said. “They overcame and never stopped accomplishing impressive things, so we can all take a lesson from that. They are tremendous models and sources of inspiration to build a better world. They should be a point of pride for all Arkansans.” The lecture will be archived for use as a lesson guide in Arkansas schools. All recorded documents will be saved to Celebrate! Maya Project and Arkansas Humanities Council archives and made available to the public. This project is supported in part by a grant from the Arkansas Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Visit to register for the lecture, and you will receive a Zoom link to the online event. Each lecture will include a question and answer session and discussion portion for attendees.

Holzer to discuss Arkansas musical legends Florence Price, William Grant Still in Clinton School Speaker Series

Ajani Oyindamola — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 17:44:46 +0000

Linda Holzer, music professor at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, and Andrew Grams, conductor of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra and guest conductor of the Arkansas Symphony, will discuss the music of a pair of notable Arkansas composers who grew up in Little Rock, Florence Price and William Grant Still. The talk will begin at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 6, in Sturgis Hall at the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service. As part of the Clinton School Speaker Series, discussion will celebrate the lives and legacy of Price and Still in advance of the Nov. 9-10, which pairs music by Price and Still with Beethoven’s groundbreaking Symphony No. 3, “Eroica.” Price is a Little Rock native who became the first African-American woman composer to have a symphonic composition performed by a major American orchestra, and was one of the first African-American classical composers to gain international attention.�� After her first symphony received its world premiere by the Chicago Symphony, she was commissioned by Britain’s famed Sir John Barbirolli for an orchestral work.�� Still, born in Mississippi, moved in infancy to Little Rock with his mother after his father’s tragic death from typhoid. He graduated as valedictorian of M.W. Gibbs High School in 1911. During his successful musical career, Still conducted the Los Angeles Philharmonic and other orchestras, earned two Guggenheim Fellowships and honorary doctorates from Oberlin College and Pepperdine University. All Clinton School Speaker Series events are free and open to the public. Reserve your seats by emailing publicprograms@clintonschool.uasys.edu or by calling 501-683-5239.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock concert to honor Arkansas musical legends

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 16 Oct 2019 13:29:32 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will host a special concert Sunday, Oct. 20, to honor two famous Arkansas musicians: Florence Price and William Grant Still. The concert, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 3 p.m. in the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall in the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Fine Arts Building.�� Dr. Linda Holzer, coordinator of classical piano studies at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, will serve as featured pianist. An active soloist and chamber musician, Holzer has performed in concert in 30 states and abroad in Europe, Australia, Hong Kong, and mainland China.�� Holzer will be joined by four members of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, including Sandra McDonald and Leanne Day-Simpson, violin; Katherine Reynolds, viola; and Rafael León, cello.�� The program celebrates the lives and legacy of distinguished composers Price and�� Still, who grew up together in Little Rock, and went on to achieve international reputations for their artistry.�� The concert features the tender harmonies of “Summerland,” and the piano suite “In the Land ‘o Cotton,” as well as the dramatically powerful “Fantasie Negre.” The program will also include a preview of Price’s masterful Piano Quintet in A Minor.�� Price is a Little Rock native who became the first African-American woman composer to have a symphonic composition performed by a major American orchestra and one of the first African-American classical composers to gain international attention.�� Still, born in Mississippi, moved in infancy to Little Rock with his mother after his father’s tragic death from typhoid. He graduated as valedictorian of M.W. Gibbs High School in 1911. During his successful musical career, Still earned two Guggenheim Fellowships and honorary doctorates from Oberlin College and Pepperdine University.�� The concert will introduce listeners to the composers in preparation for historic concerts by the , when, for the first time, symphonic works by Price and Still will be featured on a Masterworks concert.�� For more information, contact Linda Holzer at 501-569-8436 or lrholzer@ualr.edu.

Outstanding Women of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock: Linda Holzer

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 26 Mar 2019 15:17:52 +0000

In honor of Women’s History Month, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is featuring stories about the “Outstanding Women of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock,” faculty, staff, students, and alumni who are serving as leaders and making a difference for the university and their communities. �� Dr. Linda Holzer, professor of music at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, is well known for her work advocating for the music of female composers.�� As a master’s student at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Holzer learned about Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in music. “An article in ‘Time’ magazine is what first introduced me to her work,” Holzer said. “The university’s music library had a recording of her music, and that’s how it all began. Zwilich is so articulate, and her interviews emphasize the importance of teaching music as well as composing and performing. I was interested in learning masterpieces by famous composers, and as an American pianist, I wanted to champion American composers, and I also wanted to learn music of my time by women composers.” Holzer completed her dissertation on the solo piano music of Florence Price, but it has only been in recent years that she has brought that research full circle. Price was a Little Rock native who became the first African-American woman composer to have a symphonic composition performed by a major American orchestra and one of the first African-American classical composers to gain international attention. Price applied for and was denied entry to the Arkansas State Music Teachers Association sometime between 1917 and 1927 because of her race. Determined to right this past wrong, Holzer was instrumental in making sure Price was recognized after all these years. In 2018, the Music Teachers National Association honored Price as a Music Teachers National Association Foundation Fellow. Holzer donated the conference program and Price’s certificate and pin to the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock so that it can be preserved for future generations. Over spring break, Holzer gave a recital and lecture on “Musical Artistry of Florence Price: Hidden Figure No More” at the Music Teachers National Association conference in Spokane, Washington. �� “The response of conference attendees was warmly enthusiastic,” she said. “There was a line of people waiting to speak to me afterwards. It was very rewarding to see there is such a strong interest in Price’s music on a national and international level.” Additionally, Holzer has performed many recent recitals involving Price’s music in an effort to bring more attention to the artist. Last year, she performed recitals in Austria and Slovenia on “Masterpieces by American Women Composers,” which featured the music of Price, Gwyneth Walker, Margaret Bonds, and Missy Mazzoli. Holzer’s recitals in Austria and Slovenia represent the first time Price’s music was ��performed in these locations. Her most recent concert on March 3 featured music from American and Caribbean composers. “What’s been very gratifying has been audience response. The music is expressive, and it’s meaningful to listeners,” Holzer said. “They listen intently. It doesn’t matter that they haven’t heard of these composers and their music before. All that matters is that the music speaks to them. Sharing the music of Florence Price in her home city has been tremendously meaningful.”

Deborah Baldwin (left) accepts a donation of Florence Price artifacts from Linda Holzer (right) on behalf of the Center for Arkansas History and Culture. Photo by Ben Krain.

Holzer first began playing piano at age 7 and became the first person in her family to become a professional musician. “My extended family certainly loved music, but there were no professional musicians in the extended family,” she said. “My dad played the accordion, and my mother loved to sing. She would put on records of Broadway musicals while she cleaned the house and would sing along. ��I joined in. I started piano lessons after my aunt Jessica purchased a piano for her family. My mother was inspired by that to get a piano for our family. My first piano teacher was the organist/choir director at our church, Mrs. Krause.” Among the most inspiring women in Holzer’s life are Dr. Lynn P. Dieter, a high school English teacher, and Mrs. Seagal, her third-grade teacher, who each set an example for Holzer of the importance of being dedicated teachers. “I’ve been blessed to work with a number of phenomenal teachers. Dr. Dieter and Mrs. Seagal stand out for their impact on my growth and development,” she reflected. “I love learning, and I love helping others learn,” Holzer said. “I learn new things constantly. When I think back over the years that I’ve taught, the wonderful range of students I’ve met, thoughtful individuals with their goals, I know it’s a privilege to be part of the process to help students reach their goals of learning about a subject like creativity, or women in music or how to play an instrument. I suppose it’s a matter of paying it forward. I feel so grateful to my teachers. By working as a teacher myself, I am honoring what they gave me, precious learning opportunities.” Holzer carefully considers her students’ needs and circumstances and relies on a variety of teaching approaches to accommodate different learning styles and deliver web-enhanced content. Her teaching encompasses individual private lessons, traditional face-to-face instruction, and online instruction. Holzer was an early adopter of technology in the classroom. To better serve her online classes, she obtained the Quality Matters certification and chaired the past College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Teaching with Technology Committee for several years. Holzer has also contributed to the development of a variety of courses, including interdisciplinary collaborations. She has co-taught the Donaghey Scholars course, Creative Arts I, and developed an interdisciplinary course with Professor Dan Berleant in the College of Engineering and Information Technology called Strategies for Innovation. She is also an active member of several teaching-oriented organizations, has received several teaching awards, and even dedicated her 2012 off-campus duty assignments to the study of the learning process and student success. �� “Being a teacher is a bit like working in agriculture. It’s farming for the mind and spirit. It’s not all sunshine and easiness,” Holzer said. “Part of what teachers do is challenge students. It’s about giving students an opportunity for a meaningful learning experience.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock-affiliated women honored at Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 14:23:47 +0000

Several women associated with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock were honored during the fourth annual Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame Ceremony held Aug. 30 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.�� The goal of the Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame is to honor women whose contributions have influenced the direction of Arkansas in their community or the state. It is dedicated to preserving the history of accomplishments and recognizing women across the state of Arkansas. It also provides women encouragement and inspiration from stories shared by these great women. Linda Holzer, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock professor of music, accepted an award on behalf of inductee Florence Price, a Little Rock native who was��the first black woman recognized as a symphonic composer and first to have a composition premiered by a major orchestra. Price was a recipient of the Music Teachers National Association Foundation Fellow Award earlier this year after Holzer campaigned for Price to receive the award from the national organization after the state organization, the Arkansas State Music Teachers Association, denied Price entry due to her race nearly a century ago. Price composed more than 300 works in her lifetime, including chamber music, choral works, solo vocal compositions, and commercial jingles for radio. In 1932, she won first place in the Rodman Wanamaker Music Competition for her “Symphony in E Minor,” which was performed during the Chicago World’s Fair in 1933 by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Price passed away in 1953. “Florence Price was a gifted pianist-composer, in the tradition of Beethoven, Brahms, and Rachmaninoff,” Holzer said. “Her music is inspiring to play and feels good in the hands. She connected with leading artists of her day, drew on the spirit of the Harlem Renaissance, and composed American music with tremendous beauty. Once published scores of her concert works became more readily available in 1998 and rediscovered manuscripts were published after 2009, it opened the door to more opportunities for performers to share her music with audiences again.” Price also will be inducted into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Oct. 27 at the Robinson Center Performance Hall in Little Rock. Two of Price’s descendants will accept the award on her behalf, and a string quartet will perform some of her music.

Photos of Florence Price are courtesy of University of Arkansas Libraries Special Collections.

The Women’s Foundation of Arkansas is the only “organization inductee” of 2018. Dr. Sarah Beth Estes, interim dean of the College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences, serves on the foundation’s Board of Directors as first vice president. The is devoted to improving the economic viability of women and girls through education and introducing girls to careers in science, technology, engineering and math. Founded in 1998, the organization is the only one in the state focusing solely on women and girls. It was created by a group of the “Top 100 Women in Arkansas,” selected by the Arkansas Business Publishing Group. The 100 honorees challenged themselves to make a difference in Arkansas and the foundation idea emerged. The founders put out a call for funds and more than 150 women responded, while 82 donated more than $1,000 to create a permanent endowment. In 2002, the organization acquired 501(c)(3) status. Programs include Girls of Promise, an annual two-day STEM conference for eighth-grade girls; First Person Plural, which gathers the life stories of 20th century women; an Arkansas Women’s Organization directory for those wanting to support women-oriented groups and organizations; and the annual Women Empowered Leadership Conference. Last but certainly not least, another honoree, Dr., is the mother of Dr. David Montague, director of eLearning and professor of criminal justice at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Raye Montague is an internationally registered professional engineer with the U.S. Navy, credited with creating the first computer-generated rough draft of a U.S. naval ship. The process had previously taken two years. She accomplished the task in fewer than 19 hours, when her department had been given one month to finish the job.��

Holly Fish (left), Raye Montague (middle), and David Montague (right) celebrate Raye Montague’s induction into the Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame.

Montague held a civilian equivalent rank of captain and was the U.S. Navy’s first female program manager of ships. 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 also was recognized as a real-life “hidden figure” on the Feb. 20, 2017, live episode of Good Morning America. After her 30-year naval career, Montague is now a mentor, volunteer, and motivational speaker in Little Rock. She’s active with LifeQuest, The Links Inc., the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, and the American Contract Bridge League. She volunteers with students at the eStem Elementary Public Charter School in Little Rock and works with inmates through a community re-entry program at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. The night’s other honorees included Dr. Carolyn Blakely, lifelong educator and chancellor emeritus of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff; Karen Flake, president and chief executive officer of Mount St. Mary Academy in Little Rock and founder of Karen Flake & Associates market research and consulting firm; Dr. Sue Griffin, a pioneer in the research of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions; Bessie Moore, who piloted a program for economic education in public schools and created the Ozark Folk Center State Park; Mary Steenburgen, Academy Award-winning actress; and Annabelle Tuck, the first woman elected to the Arkansas Supreme Court. “If one of these stories creates a spark in a young female mind and leads her to achieve her hopes and dreams, we’ve done our job,” said Holly Fish, chairman of the Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame. “We draw inspiration from those who have come before us.” In the upper right photo,��Linda Holzer (center) accepts Florence Price’s award for being inducted into the Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame. Also pictured are Holly Fish (left), board chairperson, and Kristina Garlington, Girl of Promise awardee.

Coach Walker selected as Arkansas Black Hall of Fame honoree

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 14:08:44 +0000

Darrell Walker, head coach of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock men’s basketball team, has been named an inductee for the 2018 Arkansas Black Hall of Fame.�� Walker will join the at the induction ceremony on Oct. 27 at the Robinson Center Performance Hall in Little Rock, which will offer a variety show featuring comedy, dance, and music. Walker has dedicated his life to Arkansas basketball, playing at the University of Arkansas and now coaching at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Walker brings with him extensive basketball experience at both the collegiate and professional level. His playing experience includes three years at the University of Arkansas and 10 seasons in the National Basketball Association, followed by a 20-year professional coaching career, including serving as head coach for two different NBA franchises. Walker earned his degree in human resources from the University of Arkansas. He was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2003 and was enshrined into the University of Arkansas Hall of Honor in 2008. A native of Chicago, Walker played one season at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith before spending three seasons at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Under head coach Eddie Sutton, Walker amassed 1,325 points, ranking 18th all-time on the Razorback scoring list, while ranking fourth in program steals (230) and sixth in free throws made (524). He was named a second team All-American and a first team National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-District selection in 1983, helping Arkansas reach the Sweet 16 in both 1981 and 1983. Walker was the two-time Southwest Conference Defensive Player of the Year, being named to the 1983 NABC All-Star game. Walker was the 12th overall pick by the New York Knicks in the 1983 NBA draft, beginning a 10-year NBA career in which he suited up for five different teams. Walker averaged 8.9 points, 4.6 assists and 1.5 steals per game during his professional career, playing for NBA Hall of Fame coaches Hubie Brown, Wes Unseld, Chuck Daly and Phil Jackson. Walker described his years at ��Vlog��ý as important to his learning to become a man. He’s been living in Little Rock since 1983. Although born in Chicago, Walker now calls himself a “native son” of Arkansas. “I’ve tried to always be an ambassador for the state of Arkansas,” Walker said. Walker will be joined by five other inductees, including Kevin Cole, celebrated painter, printmaker, and sculptor; Brent Jennings, a film and stage actor and director; Lt. Gen. Aundre Piggee, the U.S. Army deputy chief of staff for logistics at the Pentagon; Florence Price, the first black woman recognized as a symphonic composer and to have a composition played by a major orchestra; and Mary Louise Williams, an education advocate and sorority and political leader. The Arkansas Black Hall of Fame was established in 1992. Walker and the other inductees will join the Hall of Fame’s more than 140 members. The organization generally inducts five living black Arkansans and one posthumous honoree each year. This year’s posthumous honor went to Price, who died in 1953. Two of Price’s descendants will accept the award on her behalf, and a string quartet will perform some of her music. Price regained national prominence after a person in Chicago found a collection of her work while renovating a home. Price also was a recipient of the Music Teachers National Association Foundation Fellow Award earlier this year after Linda Holzer, a ��Vlog��ý Little Rock professor of music, campaigned for Price to receive the award from the national organization after the state organization, the Arkansas State Music Teachers Association, denied Price entry due to her race nearly a century ago.

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

Holzer to Debut Music by Four Artists in Sept. 23 Piano Recital

Holzer Awarded Honorific Title of University Professor at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Professor Helps Honor Famed Composer Florence Price