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

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Honors Safe Foods Co-Founder Carl Rosenbaum, Raises Record-Breaking Amount for STEM Student Scholarships

John Hill — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 17:20:47 +0000

A visionary entrepreneur and businessman who recognized the potential of a revolutionary new product developed by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences was honored with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s 2021 Fribourgh Award. More than 250 people celebrated Carl Rosenbaum, co-founder of Safe Foods, as he received the award during an Oct. 21 reception at Chenal Country Club. The James H. Fribourgh Award honors individuals who have made considerable contributions to the state of Arkansas through Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). It was a record-breaking night as ��Vlog��ý Little Rock raised more than $206,000 for student scholarships, which is the highest amount ever raised during a Fribourgh Award Ceremony. Proceeds will be used to create the Carl Rosenbaum Endowed Scholarship Fund that will help ��Vlog��ý Little Rock attract and retain high-achieving, full-time undergraduate students majoring in science and mathematics. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Chancellor Christina Drale declared Rosebaum as a shining example of someone who has dedicated his life to using science for good. “As a pioneer in the food safety industry, Carl Rosenbaum shows us the power of science to serve humanity, and he shows us what it means to choose our aspirations well,” Drale said. The event’s presenting sponsors include Jerry and Sherri Damerow, 2017 recipients of the Fribourgh Award, the Board of Safe Foods Corporation, and Arkansas Glass Container Corporation. Jason Curry, pastor at The Church at Rock Creek and founder of Finish Empty®, served as the emcee for the ceremony. Jerry Damerow, a close friend of Rosenbaum, said he had the good fortune to see the story of Safe Foods unfold when he served as associate director of the medical technology accelerator, ��Vlog��ýMS BioVentures. “Carl became intrigued with a technology that researchers at ��Vlog��ýMS had come up with, the use of cetylpyridinium chloride, to eliminate harmful food pathogens,” Damerow said. “These previous meat recalls were expensive, both in terms of money and reputation for the companies. Carl set up a new company, Safe Foods, to hold that license. Safe Foods is just a wonderful addition to our community. I think this illustrates the importance of research coming out of our universities. Safe Foods is now the premier food safety company in the country. What Carl did with his patience, persistence, and prayer getting Safe Foods through those early years and getting the product to the market is incredible and one of many reasons he is being honored.” Chris Coleman, president and CEO of Safe Foods and Rosenbaum’s grandson, said his grandfather is a strong leader who he admires greatly. “I was 22 when I started working at Safe Foods, and I’ve been here for 21 years now,” Coleman said. “My grandfather has been the strong leader that has brought us through the hard years of starting a new company to the fun years of celebration and success. The culmination of where we are right now is a product that protects over 300 million servings of food every day. We are looking forward to another 20 years of success and growth.” While accepting his award, Rosenbaum spoke about how many people are responsible for making Safe Foods a success. He invited three of his friends, co-workers, and family members to stage: Rush Deacon, former CEO of Safe Foods, Curtis Coleman, founding president and CEO of Safe Foods, and Chris Coleman, current CEO and president of Safe Foods. He presented each of them with a gavel and thanked them for their hard work and service.

Carl Rosenbaum, 2021 Fribourgh Award recipient, thanks three of his friends, co-workers, and family members for their hard work and dedication to Safe Foods: Rush Deacon, former CEO of Safe Foods, Curtis Coleman, founding president and CEO of Safe Foods, and Chris Coleman, current CEO and president of Safe Foods. Photo by Jen Missouri Photography.

“It’s interesting how God works in your life,” Rosenbaum said. “Years ago, God gave me the ability to sell. I found out that in life you come across friends, and friends are what help you. This day, Safe Foods touched 300 million meals in the world. One out of 10 venture capital companies doesn’t make it, and I know why. It’s pretty tough. At age 86, you think about a lot of things. One of the things you think about is that you aren’t much longer on this Earth. You also think about your friends, and you also think about how God has led you in your life. God has always been faithful to Safe Foods.” Dr. Lawrence Whitman, dean of the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, said that Fribourgh events have raised more than half a million dollars for scholarships since they started in 2010 and that 30 students have received scholarships from the proceeds. “These scholarships are providing our students with the opportunity to get a great education and make a positive impact in the community,” Whitman said. “One of our scholarship recipients is a nontraditional student who has chosen to become an educator and will soon start teaching physics at a community college in Arkansas. This is just one example of the impact of your generous gifts at work. Your support of our students impacts their lives, impacts your lives, and impacts our community. Another Fribourgh scholarship recipient, Nabeel Alwan, graduated from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in May with two bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and biology. He is now applying to medical schools and plans to practice internal medicine or general surgery. “This scholarship has meant a lot to me,” Alwan said. “It gave me a push forward and the motivation to pursue my goals. It also gave me time to focus on research, and I was able to get published as an undergrad student for my research on combination therapies for cancer treatment. Growing up, my community was underdeveloped in having access to medicine care, and I want to help change that as a doctor.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to honor Safe Foods Co-Founder Carl Rosenbaum with 11th annual Fribourgh Award

John Hill — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 20:17:22 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will celebrate Carl Rosenbaum, co-founder of , as the recipient of the 2021 Fribourgh Award.�� The James H. Fribourgh Award honors individuals who have made considerable contributions to the state of Arkansas through mathematics and science. This year’s reception will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, at Chenal Country Club, 10 Chenal Club Blvd., Little Rock. Jerry and Sherri Damerow, 2017 recipients of the Fribourgh Award, the Board of Safe Foods Corporation, and Arkansas Glass Container Corporation are serving as the event’s presenting sponsors. Rosenbaum is chairman of the Board of Arkansas Glass Container Corp., a partner in Rosenbaum Brothers Partnership, and chairman of the Board of Safe Foods Corporation. He graduated from Castle Heights Military Academy and the University of Arkansas with a bachelor’s degree in finance. Proceeds will be used to create the Carl Rosenbaum Endowed Scholarship Fund that will help ��Vlog��ý Little Rock attract and retain high-achieving, full-time undergraduate students majoring in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. “The Fribourgh awardee this year is a terrific example of how Arkansas-based research can lead to significant economic development here in Arkansas,” Jerry Damerow said. “Honoree and highly successful entrepreneur Carl Rosenbaum founded Safe Foods based on research conducted right here in Central Arkansas. Fribourgh scholarship recipients will be the scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs who develop future great products here in Central Arkansas that will power our economy just as Safe Foods is doing today.” A Rotarian since 1965, Rosenbaum has been a member of the Rotary Club of Little Rock since 1972 and served Club 99 as president in 1983-84. He was rotary governor of District 6150 in 1990-91 and has served as a director of Rotary International 1997-1999. Previously, he was finance chairman for the Board of Rotary International and national advisor for the Permanent Fund, chairman of the Investment Advisory Group of Rotary International, consultant to the Fund Development Committee of The Rotary Foundation, and chairman of Rotary International Finance Committee. He has held offices in numerous civic organizations, including Youth Home, YMCA, and Boy Scouts Council. He has also served on the Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and was past president of Community Concerts of Greater Little Rock. He has served on the board of directors of Regions Bank of Little Rock. Rosenbaum was chairman of the Board for the Governor’s Mental Health System Task Force, and he served the state as commissioner of the Arkansas Department of Economic Development for four years. He has served on the Sam Walton University of Arkansas Business School Dean’s Advisory Board and is past chairman of the Arkansas Department of Transportation Commission.�� Rosenbaum resides in Little Rock with his wife, Martha. They have three married children and six grandchildren and are members of Little Rock’s First Baptist Church. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is celebrating the 11th anniversary of the Fribourgh Awards, which began in 2010 to honor the late Dr. James H. Fribourgh, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock professor emeritus, who served for more than 45 years as chair of Life Sciences, interim chancellor, vice chancellor for academic affairs, and distinguished professor of biology. Past recipients include Jerry B. Adams, president and CEO of Arkansas Research Alliance; H. Watt Gregory III, partner at Kutak Rock LLP; Dr. Charles E. Hathaway, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock chancellor emeritus and Donaghey distinguished professor; Peter Banko, former president and CEO of St. Vincent Health System and now president and CEO at Central Health; Dr. James Hendren, former CEO and chairman of Arkansas Systems Inc.; the late Dr. Mary Good, founding dean of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Engineering and Information Technology; Jerry Damerow, a retired Ernst and Young partner, and Sherri Damerow, a retired kindergarten teacher; Cory Davis, partner and principal consultant at the Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health, and the late Dr. Raye Montague, an internationally registered professional engineer who is credited with creating the first computer-generated rough draft of a U.S. naval ship. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased at this website. For more information and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Derek Boyce, director of development and external relations, at dcboyce@ualr.edu or 501-416-0611.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock receives $1 million planned gift from Damerows to support science scholarships

John Hill — Wed, 03 Feb 2021 16:24:02 +0000

Jerry and Sherri Damerow, longtime supporters of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in Arkansas, have made a planned gift of $1 million to support scholarships for science majors at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.�� The gift will benefit the Jerry and Sherri Damerow Endowed Science Scholarship, which provides scholarships for students majoring in astronomy, biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and Earth Science. The scholarship will provide assistance for education-related expenses including tuition, fees, books, and room and board. “This incredibly generous gift from the Damerows will be a wonderful legacy for two people who have steadfastly supported science education at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock for many years,” ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Chancellor Christina Drale said. “As we expand our applied fields in the sciences, it is important to remember that basic science education remains the foundation for all that we accomplish in the applied fields. I am grateful to the Damerows for supporting this curriculum and for investing in our future.” Jerry Damerow, a former managing partner for Ernst & Young, and Sherri Damerow, a retired kindergarten teacher and artist, believe helping students earn a college degree in a STEM area represents a “commitment to lifelong learning,” a goal the couple has supported for many years. “There are multiple reasons why we decided to fund an endowed science scholarship at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock,” said Jerry Damerow. “First, we believe a strong ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is extremely important to Arkansas’ economy going forward, particularly Central Arkansas. We do not believe we can simply sit by and expect others to build and support this important university. Arkansas’ Women’s Hall of Fame member Dorothy Stuck once told me, ‘If we don’t build Arkansas, who will?’”�� The Damerows received the 8th annual Fribourgh Award in 2017, which recognizes individuals who have made considerable contributions to the state through the disciplines of mathematics and science. Jerry Damerow is a past president and current board member of the Dean’s Science Council and the Centennial Campaign Cabinet at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. His long history of civic and professional involvement includes serving as a member and past director of the Rotary Club of Little Rock, as past board chair of the EAST Initiative, as chair of �䲹��𳢾��԰�’s board of directors, as ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Business Advisory Council member, and as a former chair of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s College of Science and Mathematics Advisory Council. “W�� believe we have been blessed and have an obligation to help other Arkansans realize their potential,” Jerry Damerow said. “Last, we believe our economy is going through a huge transformation driven by technology thereby dramatically increasing the importance of a STEM education. Many jobs are going away, and new ones will be created by scientists and engineers and those who qualify for those jobs will require a strong grounding in science and engineering.” Sherri Damerow has been involved in numerous charitable causes, including teaching computer skills to seniors at the ��Vlog��ýMS Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging and volunteering with Literacy Action of Central Arkansas and the Humane Society of Pulaski County. “Jerry and Sherri Damerow have been active in promoting our community for a long time, and this generous gift aligns well with their continuing gift of time in impacting our community for the better both now and in the future,” said Dr. Lawrence Whitman, dean of the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. “I am glad to know people like Jerry and Sherri.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Professor Montague co-authors book on mother, Navy Hidden Figure Raye Montague

John Hill — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 19:18:40 +0000

For years, people would tell the U.S. Navy’s Hidden Figure Dr. Raye Montague that she should write a book about her incredible life.�� The late Dr. Montague, an internationally registered professional engineer with the U.S. Navy, is credited with creating the first computer-generated rough draft of a U.S. naval ship. Montague was recognized as the U.S. Navy’s real-life “Hidden Figure” during naval events in Washington, D.C. and Virginia and on the Feb. 20, 2017, live episode of “Good Morning America.” In the last years of her life, Raye Montague decided to write the long-awaited book with her son, Dr. David Montague, executive director of online learning and faculty mentoring as well as a professor of criminal justice at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and co-author, Paige Bowers.�� Bowers brought to the table the experience of a published author. She wrote “The General’s Niece: The Little-Known de Gaulle Who Fought to Free Occupied France” and is a nationally published news and features writer. Just as the trio had finished a book proposal and was about to secure a publisher, Raye Montague passed away in October 2018 at the age of 83. One of the last promises David Montague made his mother was to finish her book. That book, “,” will be published Jan. 12, 2021, by Chicago Review Press Inc.

Paige Bowers, author of “The General’s Niece: The Little-Known de Gaulle Who Fought to Free Occupied France,” co-wrote “Overnight Code” with David Montague.

“Even though my mother couldn’t stay for the whole process, she was able to contribute a lot to the book,” Montague said. “When she was in hospice, I promised her that I would finish the book. I’m really excited about it. It gives us a chance to give her story, which is much broader than her amazing career. It also talks about encouragement for so many types of people and overcoming obstacles against impossible odds.” ��“Overnight Code” is equal parts coming-of-age tale, civil rights history, and reflection on the power of education. The 240-page book is described as a tale about persistence and perseverance when the odds against you seem insurmountable. “W�� believe there is so much in this book for so many people,” Bowers said. “Yes, it is a story about a woman with a formidable life who became a very gifted engineer just through her sheer determination and through often teaching herself computer science and coding when they were still in infancy. But there is also a huge takeaway about resilience, about not giving up if you have a setback or if something is blocking your way to success.” Raye Montague earned a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff at a time when the engineering school at the University of Arkansas did not accept minorities. She began her career with the U.S. Navy in 1956. She held a civilian equivalent rank of captain and was the Navy’s first female program manager of ships. Among many other honors, she was awarded the U.S. Navy’s Meritorious Civilian Service Award in 1972, the Navy’s third-highest honorary award. She was also nominated for the Federal Woman of the Year Award the same year. After her 33-year naval career, Raye Montague retired in 1990 and was presented with a flag that had flown over the nation’s capital in her honor. She was passionate about highlighting the value of education and encouraging girls to get involved in STEM education, receiving many awards and commendations over the years for volunteering with youth. After returning to Arkansas in 2006, she spent many years as a mentor, volunteer, motivational speaker, and dedicated mother and grandmother in Little Rock. Montague mentored prison inmates through ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s community re-entry program and was honored with the 10th Annual Fribourgh Award in 2019. Beyond all of Raye Montague’s admirable achievements, Bowers described the book as a story about the power of a mother’s love across generations.��

“Overnight Code” will be released Jan. 12.

“Raye’s mother was the foundation that helped her become the woman she was meant to be, and Raye’s love for David helped him become the Dr. Montague that we know,” Bowers said. “David has taken the baton from his mother. He continues to encourage people to stay in school. He is doing her proud by continuing this outreach. That is a testament to her and a testament to him.” During the process of researching, conducting interviews, and writing the book, David Montague discovered hidden depths about his mother. “I learned my mom was more of a firecracker than I ever thought her to be. People came at her from every direction, but she didn’t let that stop her,” David Montague said. “After she passed, there were people who talked about how much she had done to open doors for them. Until recently, they had no clue that she had done all these things in the Navy. That is something I have tried to do as a faculty member and administrator and that is something that I learned from her. Even when she was struggling in hospice, she was trying to encourage people in those facilities to go to school and so many people have come to school at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and beyond because of her.” “Overnight Code” is widely available for pre-order online, at your , or via the publisher’s website at .

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

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

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

Fribourgh Award Reception Raises $75,000 for math, science scholarships

Janea Snyder — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 14:08:09 +0000

��Vlog��ý Little Rock recently honored William “Cory” Davis, senior vice president of operations and principal consultant at the Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health (CTEH) in North Little Rock, with the Fribourgh Award, honoring his contributions to the state of Arkansas through mathematics and science. An awards reception, held Sept. 20 at Little Rock’s Chenal Country Club, raised more than $75,000 for math and science scholarships. “It’s a great honor to be recognized by my alma mater in this way,” Davis said. “More importantly, this award gives other ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students the opportunity to pursue careers in math and science and give back to our state in the future.” After graduating from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock with a ��degree and industrial psychology minor in 2000, Davis met Drs. Jay Gandy, Phil Goad, Glenn Millner and Alan Nye of CTEH, a management, technology, and science-based consulting firm, and was hired as an industrial hygienist. For nine years, he then served as manager of the company’s Toxicology Emergency Response Program (TERP), which provides high-level scientific consulting for situations involving the catastrophic release of hazardous materials. Today, he is senior vice president of operations and principal consultant—handling large-scale emergency response, industrial hygiene, environmental consulting and emergency preparedness projects. He is widely known as one of the best advisors in the North American emergency response industry. Proceeds from this year’s awards reception will go to endow a scholarship in the Davis family name. These funds help ��Vlog��ý Little Rock attract and retain high-achieving full-time students in science and mathematics. The $75,000 raised at the reception puts the Science and Math Leadership Endowment total at $244,000. With this record year, the College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences hopes to award six individual scholarships for science and math students next spring. “Science at its heart is a creative endeavor, and one that drives future possibilities,” Chancellor Andrew Rogerson said during the reception. “As a university, we invigorate our students to aspire, to reach higher, to engage with the hard questions and to have the courage to explore solutions. These students are our future, the innovators and problem solvers of tomorrow.” The Fribourgh Award Reception began in 2010 to honor the late Dr. James H. Fribourgh, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock professor emeritus, who served for more than 45 years as chair of Life Sciences, interim chancellor, vice chancellor for academic affairs, and distinguished professor of biology. Past recipients include Jerry B. Adams, president and CEO of Arkansas Research Alliance; H. Watt Gregory III, partner at Kutak Rock LLP; Dr. Charles E. Hathaway, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock chancellor emeritus and Donaghey distinguished professor; Peter Banko, former president and CEO of St. Vincent Health System; Dr. James Hendren, former CEO and chairman of Arkansas Systems Inc.; Dr. Mary Good, founding dean of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Engineering and Information Technology; and Jerry and Sherri Damerow. (Photo, top right) ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Chancellor Andrew Rogerson (right) presents Cory Davis, principal consultant at the Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health (CTEH), with the Fribourgh Award on Sept. 20, 2018. Photo by Benjamin Krain

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to honor CTEH’s Cory Davis with Fribourgh Award

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 14:19:15 +0000

William “Cory” Davis, senior vice president of operations and principal consultant at the Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health in North Little Rock, has been selected as the recipient of the ninth annual Fribourgh Award from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.�� “It’s a great honor to be recognized by my alma mater in this way,” Davis said. “This award not only acknowledges the recipient, it gives other ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students the opportunity to pursue careers in math and science and give back to our state in the future.” The Fribourgh Award honors individuals who have made considerable contributions to the state of Arkansas through mathematics and science. This year’s reception will be held on Thursday, Sept. 20, from 6-8 p.m. at the Chenal Country Club in Little Rock. Proceeds will be used to create an endowed scholarship in the Davis Family name to help ��Vlog��ý Little Rock attract and retain high-achieving, full-time students majoring in math and science. “W�� appreciate this opportunity to recognize Cory Davis for his noteworthy work in our state’s scientific community,” said Thomas Clifton, interim dean of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Arts, Letters and Sciences. “He’s an excellent example of how impactful ��Vlog��ý Little Rock alumni can be, not just to one individual but to the entire populace.” After graduating from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock with a and industrial psychology minor in 2000, Davis met Drs. Jay Gandy, Phil Goad, Glenn Millner and Alan Nye of the (CTEH), a management, technology and science-based consulting firm, and was hired as an industrial hygienist. For nine years, he then served as manager of the company’s Toxicology Emergency Response Program (TERP), which is responsible for providing high-level scientific consulting for situations involving the catastrophic release of hazardous materials. Today, he is senior vice president of operations and principal consultant—handling large-scale emergency response, industrial hygiene, environmental consulting and emergency preparedness projects. He is widely known as one of the best advisors in the North American emergency response industry.

Cory Davis/Photo by Ben Krain

Under Davis’ leadership, CTEH has grown to more than 150 employees and nine offices across the U.S. He is thankful to his mentors and colleagues who are dedicated to helping his fellow Arkansans and others in need around the globe. “I’ve been proud to work with my colleagues at CTEH to build a first-class team of environmental, health, safety and management professionals who are willing and able to provide the science and intelligence our partners need during times of crisis,” Davis said. “Every day, we’re developing new solutions—from cutting-edge technology to hands-on training programs—to help protect people, their communities and the environment.” The Fribourgh Award Reception began in 2010 to honor the late Dr. James H. Fribourgh, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock professor emeritus, who served for more than 45 years as chair of Life Sciences, interim chancellor, vice chancellor for academic affairs and distinguished professor of biology. Past recipients include Jerry B. Adams, president and CEO of Arkansas Research Alliance; H. Watt Gregory III, partner at Kutak Rock LLP; Dr. Charles E. Hathaway, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock chancellor emeritus and Donaghey distinguished professor; Peter Banko, president and CEO of St. Vincent Health System; Dr. James Hendren, former CEO and chairman of Arkansas Systems Inc., Dr. Mary Good, founding dean of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Engineering and Information Technology; and Jerry and Sherri Damerow. Tickets for this year’s reception are on sale for $75 per person, $50 is tax deductible, at . For sponsorship information, please contact Derek Boyce at dcboyce@ualr.edu or 501-683-7355.

Faculty Emeritus Thomas Lynch joins Dean’s Science Council

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 13:33:52 +0000

In 1999, Dr. Thomas Lynch, faculty emeritus of biology, started donating a portion of every paycheck to create an endowed scholarship in his and his late wife Debbie’s name to benefit biology students at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.�� Lynch has watched the Tom and Debbie Lynch Biology Scholarship continue to grow over the past two decades. He has continued to donate to it every month even after retiring from the university in 2014. Lynch has made a lifelong commitment to helping the science and math students at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and sees the value in long-term efforts to help them gain a college degree. “The university was very good to me. I worked hard the whole time I was there as did the university community and students, so the scholarship was a mutual benefit for everyone,” Lynch said. Now in retirement, where he spends a large amount of time as an “amateur chef,” Lynch is giving back by encouraging math and science education through his work on the Dean’s Science Council. Council members advocate on behalf of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences and garner community support for science programs. Their efforts include raising funds for faculty and undergraduate research, the Fribourgh Award receptions, and the Science Olympiad. “I have always wanted to stay active in the university,” Lynch said. “I still have an office on campus that I visit often. The Dean’s Science Council is another great opportunity to stay involved. I want to promote science and math and be involved in raising money and awareness.” Lynch is especially looking forward to helping with the Fribourgh Award Reception, which is named in honor of Lynch’s friend and colleague, the late Dr. James H. Fribourgh, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock professor emeritus, who served the university for more than 45 years as chair of Life Sciences, interim chancellor, vice chancellor for academic affairs, and distinguished professor of biology. “He was a wonderful man,” Lynch said. Lynch joined ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 1978. During his career, he also served as associate dean of the College of Science and Math and interim chair of the Department of Math. He has previously served as a board member and past president of the Arkansas AIDS Foundation. As a professor, he always encouraged his students to gain practice by giving research presentations at conferences. “I think one of the highlights of my career was having students make scientific research presentations,” he said. “Our college would always take a bunch of students to the Arkansas Academy of Science. It was really a fun time.” For today’s students, Lynch advises them to get into the lab and complete an undergraduate research experience with a faculty mentor if they want to be successful. “This is where students really learn if they want to be a research scientist or not,” he said. “The more experience you can get, the better biologist, physicist, or chemist that you are going to be. If you are going to apply to graduate school, research experience will be very important on your applications.”

Prakash Jalihal joins Dean’s Science Council at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 14:31:31 +0000

In 1988, Prakash Jalihal was surprised to run into a fellow Arkansan, Jerry Damerow, while working overseas in Jakarta, Indonesia. Twenty years later and the two Little Rock citizens remain good friends who are actively involved in promoting science and math education in Arkansas.�� Jalihal, who retired in 2014 as managing director and senior vice president of FIS for Latin America and the Caribbean, recently joined the newly reformed Dean’s Science Council at the urging of his long-time friend, Damerow, a retired partner at Ernst & Young. Council members advocate on behalf of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences and garner community support for science programs. Their efforts include raising funds for faculty and undergraduate research, the Fribourgh Award receptions, and the Science Olympiad. Both men formerly served as the chair for the Board of EAST (Environmental and Spatial Technology) Initiative, a project-based, service-learning oriented program that provides students with high-end technology available in the most progressive fields in the world. “Personally, all of us have a passion for math and science,” Jalihal said. “When Jerry mentioned this, this seems like something that connected with me, just like EAST, because I have a passion for education and helping students with math and science.” As a member of the Dean’s Science Council, Jalihal wants to explore ways to keep retention rates high for math and science students, encourage academic success by creating more mentoring and tutoring programs for freshmen, and create a program to encourage more women and minority students to get involved in science and math programs at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Jalihal earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Bombay in 1970 and a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering from the University of Arkansas in 1972. At FIS, he was responsible for the direct management of sales and operations for the company’s business in Latin America and the Caribbean and traveled to 42 countries. Jalihali lives in Little Rock and has a son, Jason, by his late wife, Ann, and a grandson, Donovan. In addition to the Dean’s Science Council, he is a member of Arkansas Accelerator and the Dean’s Advisory Council for the University of Arkansas School of Engineering. He also serves as the senior advisor for the Global Technology Deployment Initiative, a nonprofit organization that seeks to accelerate the deployment of proven technology solutions to address resource shortages in developing nations in the areas of energy, water, clean air, food, and medicine.

Fribourgh Award Reception raises $60,000 for STEM scholarships at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 14:18:23 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock raised $60,000 for undergraduate mathematics and science students during the eighth annual Fribourgh Award Reception held Sept. 28 at Pleasant Valley Country Club.�� The Fribourgh Award recognizes individuals who made considerable contributions to the state through the disciplines of mathematics and science. Jerry and Sherri Damerow, longtime supporters of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, were honored as this year’s recipients. The Damerows have been ardent supporters of the Fribourgh Award Reception since it began in 2010 to honor the late Dr. James H. Fribourgh, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock professor emeritus, who served the university for more than 45 years as chair of Life Sciences, interim chancellor, vice chancellor for academic affairs, and distinguished professor of biology. Jerry Damerow, who serves on the Science Dean’s Council at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, is retired Ernst and Young partner and currently chief financial officer at LLC, a University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences BioVentures start-up company, while Sherri Damerow is an artist and retired kindergarten teacher. �� In 2009, the Damerows began funding an endowed scholarship for mathematics and statistics students that can be used for tuition, books, fees, room and board, and travel expenses. This year’s Fribourgh Award was created by Michael Warrick, professor of sculpture. Warrick designed a miniature version of his sculpture, �Ԩ�ǳܳٳ�,” which was recently delivered to officials in Hanam, South Korea, to honor the 25th anniversary of the Sister City partnership between Little Rock and Hanam that began in 1992. The 14-inch award is made of bronze, walnut, and gold leaf. Warrick designed the award using 3-D modeling software. The piece is made of bronze, walnut, and gold leaf.

Alfred Williams (left) ��presents the Fribourgh Award to Jerry Damerow (right) during the Sept. 28 award reception at Pleasant Valley Country Club. Photo by Lonnie Timmons III/��Vlog��ý Little Rock Communications.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Science and Mathematics Leadership Endowed Scholarship Fund for undergraduate students at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.�� Tom Clifton, dean of the College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences, was proud of the fine example of student support demonstrated by the Damerows and the event’s supporters. Thanks to their generosity, Clifton was proud to announce that the 2017 Fribourgh Award Reception was the highest-grossing fundraiser to support the Science and Mathematics Leadership Endowed Scholarship Fund at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. So far, nine students have received scholarships from the fund. The most recent recipient, Lyle Arnette, has a 4.0 GPA and will graduate in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in physics and a minor in mathematics. Meanwhile, the 2016 scholarship recipient, John Siratt, received a grant from the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium and interned with the NASA Langley Research Center this summer. His research finds applications in autopilot and autonomous drone systems to help program computers to correctly navigate planes using spherical geometry. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Chancellor Andrew Rogerson praised the event for putting the spotlight on supporting science and mathematics students through scholarships. “The biggest risk factor for students in higher education today is a shortage of money,” Rogerson said. “Often it’s not the lack of determination or intellectual ability that deters students from completing a degree—it’s financial constraints. So scholarship support is crucial to student success, and I thank each of you here tonight for your support and generosity.” There is a need for more students to major in STEM fields to fill gaps in the workforce and promote growth in the state and national economy, Rogerson said. The Center on Education and Workforce projects there will be a 19 percent increase in STEM careers by 2020. “Science is the engine of prosperity,” Rogerson said. “The United States has developed as a global leader, in large part, through the genius and hard work of its scientists, engineers, and innovators. The number of jobs available in the United States is directly related to advances made in science and engineering.”

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

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