/news-archive/tag/helaine-williams/ 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Mon, 02 May 2022 13:31:37 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 /news-archive/2022/05/02/spring-commencement-2022/ Mon, 02 May 2022 13:31:37 +0000 /news/?p=81423 ... 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Celebrates Spring Commencement May 14]]> The 10 a.m. commencement ceremony on May 14 will feature undergraduate students in the College of Business, Health, and Human Services and undergraduate students in the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The Jack Stephens Center will open to the public at 8:30 a.m. for the morning ceremony. Tripti Shukla, who is graduating from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock this May with bachelor鈥檚 degrees in biology and chemistry, will serve as the featured speaker for the 10 a.m. commencement ceremony. Shukla is this year鈥檚 winner of the Edward Lynn Whitbeck Memorial Award, the highest honor granted to a graduating student at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. In the afternoon, the 3 p.m. ceremony will feature undergraduate and graduate students in the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education; graduate students in the College of Business, Health, and Human Services; and graduate students in the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The Jack Stephens Center will open to the public at 1:30 p.m. for the afternoon ceremony. Helaine Williams, Sunday Style editor at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and the 2021 winner of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Presidents Award, will serve as the featured speaker for the 3 p.m. commencement ceremony. The William H. Bowen School of Law will celebrate its graduates with a 7 p.m. commencement ceremony. The Honorable John Dan Kemp, chief justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court, will serve as the featured speaker. With 44 years of judicial experience, Kemp previously served as a municipal judge of Mountain View for nine years and as a circuit judge in the 16th Judicial Circuit for 30 years. The ceremonies will be live-streamed on the and the . The law school ceremony will be live-streamed on its .]]> /news-archive/2021/11/10/2021-distinguished-alumni/ Wed, 10 Nov 2021 14:25:41 +0000 /news/?p=80353 ... 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Celebrates Chatterjee, Williams, and Golzar as 2021 Distinguished Alumni]]> Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony on Nov. 4. Stuti Chatterjee, a May 2021 graduate, was honored with the Edward L. Whitbeck Memorial Award. Helaine Williams, Sunday Style editor at the , was awarded the Presidents Award. Dr. Jaafer Golzar, a cardiologist and chief medical officer for , received the Distinguished Alumnus Award. All three recipients were honored during a ceremony at the Clinton Presidential Center. 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Chancellor Christina Drale said that the stories of the three honorees serve as a testament to the potential for every student that aspires to be more and entrusts 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock to provide the right experience to reach their goals. 鈥淓ach of these individuals, in their own way, exemplify our very highest aspirations as an institution and for the students we serve,鈥� Chancellor Drale remarked. 鈥淚t is our responsibility, as it has always been, to prepare the students of today with the skills for tomorrow. The alumni being honored today demonstrate exactly what that looks like.鈥� The winner of the Whitbeck Memorial Award represents the top graduate of the year. During her time at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Chatterjee鈥檚 list of accomplishments include receiving three Signature Experience Awards and two Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship awards; and copy editing Dr. Michael Wilson鈥檚 book, 鈥淏ehavioral Emergencies for the Healthcare Provider.鈥� She also worked with Dr. Noureen Siraj, assistant professor of chemistry, to study the use of nanodrugs for effective cancer cell therapies, and was named the 2020 Outstanding Undergraduate Research Student for the Department of Chemistry. Dr. Simon Hawkins, director of the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program, recalled how Chatterjee鈥檚 tenacity and hard work should serve as an inspiration to us all. 鈥淚t should come as no surprise that Stuti Chatterjee鈥檚 list of accomplishments is impressive indeed,鈥� Hawkins said. 鈥淲hen she came to the university, Stuti struggled with her writing. English is not her first language. It鈥檚 not even her second language. Stuti doesn鈥檛 make excuses. She solves problems. She started writing her papers earlier. She brought her papers to her professors for advice. She went to her friends for peer reviews. She did whatever she could to improve. She laughs about her struggles and gives others the sense that they can make it too.鈥� As a native of India who moved to the U.S. at age 10, Chatterjee said she tried many different activities and subjects in order to find her identity while in college. 鈥淪omeone gave me the best advice I have ever received to this day. He said that if your heart doesn鈥檛 scream 鈥業 want to do it,鈥� don鈥檛 do it. Life is too short to settle for mediocracy,鈥� she said. 鈥淲ith that suggestion in mind, I started narrowing down the options that I felt passionate about. Working in healthcare was always a dream of mine, but being able to interact with patients and the healthcare community only solidified what I wanted to do for a career. Being an undergraduate research assistant and being able to work on cancer therapy research allowed me to build skills that I will be utilizing far beyond my career. I feel fortunate to have been a part of a community where we took care of each other and guided each other as need be.鈥� The second honoree, Williams, is a local icon in the journalism world with more than four decades of experience and is a 2021 inductee in the Arkansas Writers Hall of Fame. Williams earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree in 2000, after taking what she calls a 鈥�14-year spring break鈥� from college the first time around. 鈥淭his is one of those honors you expect to be on the sidelines clapping as someone else gets it,鈥� Williams said. 鈥淔or me to be standing here having received this award myself is surreal. For years, I didn鈥檛 think I would be considered a 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock alumni at all. Coming back to the university was truly an act of faith. I鈥檓 happy to represent an entity that has become much more than the sum of its parts. Our university is the present and the future for those who would seek an affordable, quality education that prepares them for the ever-changing career landscape we find ourselves in today.鈥� The Presidents Award recognizes a 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock graduate who achieved success in their career, donated time and talents to their community, and remained in touch with their alma mater as a volunteer and resource person. Williams served on the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Alumni Association Board of Directors from 2013-2019. This year, she participated in 鈥淒ancing With Our Stars鈥� with Stephen Stone, associate professor of dance at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, to raise funds for the Children鈥檚 Tumor Foundation. Williams is also the president of The Umoja Network and founder of its subsidiary, Make it Plain Ministries. Through these organizations, she is able to share her skills and knowledge with others by providing invaluable assistance to new writers and authors working to get published, public relations-related consultations with organizations seeking to make positive impressions with their audiences, and guiding the content creation process for print materials. As the recipient of the 2021 Distinguished Alumnus Award, Golzar, a 1995 graduate of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, is being recognized for his extraordinary distinction in his chosen field and special contributions to the community. Golzar is an interventional cardiologist with Advocate Medical Group, the director of Limb Salvage and Endovascular Intervention at Advocate Trinity Hospital in Chicago, and a key opinion leader in the treatment of peripheral artery disease. He is also a leading educator on interventional techniques and technologies and the founder of the Chicago Endovascular Conference, the first large-scale medical educational conference in the Midwest. 鈥淎s a physician, clinical thought leader, and innovator, Dr. Golzar has been a critical contributor to all of the advancements we have made at Avinger,鈥� said Jeff Soinski, Avinger鈥檚 president and CEO. 鈥淢ore than that, in his leadership role as our chief medical officer, Dr. Golzar inspires each of us to do our best to achieve our mission of radically improving the way vascular disease is treated. A mission he personifies in the work he does every day.鈥� Golzar鈥檚 close friend, Dr. Sara Tariq, an associate dean for student affairs in the College of Medicine at 糖心Vlog传媒MS, said he developed his passion for helping patients in medical school. 鈥淲e were in high school together. We went to 糖心Vlog传媒LR in the Donaghey Scholars program together,鈥� Tariq said. 鈥淭hen in medical school is when I really saw him become so deeply excited about something, so deeply excited about patient care, so interested and driven about medicine.鈥� Likewise, Golzar said his time in the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program was a pivotal moment that helped shape him as an individual. 鈥淚 got into the Donaghey Scholars following Sara鈥檚 footsteps,鈥� Golzar said. 鈥淭hat is when that change took place from me conforming to being an individual, to unlocking doors. Those were the most influential days of my life where I really learned how to be an individual and think for myself and ask questions, be curious, and to realize that not every question has to have a safe answer.鈥漖]> /news-archive/2021/08/25/2021-distinguished-alumni-golzar-williams/ Wed, 25 Aug 2021 13:28:27 +0000 /news/?p=79663 ... 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock to honor Golzar, Williams as 2021 Distinguished Alumni]]> Dr. Jaafer Golzar, a cardiologist and chief medical officer for ., will receive the Distinguished Alumnus Award. Helaine Williams, Sunday Style editor at the , will receive the Presidents Award. “Dr. Golzar and Mrs. Williams are examples of the very best of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock,鈥� said Kristi Smith, senior director of alumni and development at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淗e was a traditional student from the Historic Little Rock Central High School, educated at 糖心Vlog传媒MS, and has made an indelible mark in interventional cardiology, while she returned to complete her education while creating a name for herself in journalism. As a graduate of the university myself, it is my pleasure to showcase these outstanding alumni to Little Rock, the state, and beyond.” The 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Alumni Association annually awards the Distinguished Alumnus Award to a Little Rock Junior College, Little Rock University, or 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock alumnus. The award is reserved for individuals who have achieved extraordinary distinction in their chosen field and made special contributions to the community. 鈥淢y experiences at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and with the Donaghey Scholars program were paramount to the trajectory of my career, allowing me to succeed in my career,鈥� Golzar said. 鈥淚 am forever grateful for and will always treasure the relationships and opportunities this special place afforded me. I will continue to strive for excellence and to make a difference in the world, carrying this honor with me.鈥� In addition to his position at Avinger, Golzar is an interventional cardiologist with Advocate Medical Group, the director of Limb Salvage and Endovascular Intervention at Advocate Trinity Hospital in Chicago, and a key opinion leader in the treatment of peripheral artery disease. A native of India, Golzar moved to Little Rock with his family at age five. He is a 1991 graduate of Central High School, a 1995 graduate of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in biology, and a 1999 graduate of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. An interventional cardiovascular specialist with 15 years of experience, Golzar is board certified in internal medicine, cardiology, and interventional cardiology. He is also a leading educator on interventional techniques and technologies and the founder of the Chicago Endovascular Conference, the first large-scale medical educational conference in the Midwest. As a recognized leader in the endovascular community, Golzar has received multiple accolades including the prestigious Pioneers in Performance – North America Award in 2014. He is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions. 鈥淎s a physician, clinical thought leader, and innovator, Dr. Golzar has been a critical contributor to all of the advancements we have made at Avinger,鈥� said Jeff Soinski, Avinger鈥檚 president and CEO. 鈥淢ore than that, in his leadership role as our chief medical officer, Dr. Golzar inspires each of us to do our best to achieve our mission of radically improving the way vascular disease is treated; a mission he personifies in the work he does every day.鈥� Golzar has also spent time volunteering in acute medical disaster relief efforts around the world, including serving as a consultant for Nigeria鈥檚 efforts to reform the medical infrastructure of Ogun State. The Presidents Award was established to recognize 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock graduates who achieved success in their career, donated time and talents to their community, and remained in touch with their alma mater as a volunteer and resource person. Helaine Williams is an icon in the Little Rock journalism industry with more than four decades of experience. She started her career as a city desk news assistant at the Arkansas Democrat in 1981. Williams is a 1980 graduate of Wilbur D. Mills University Studies High and 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, where she earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in journalism in 2000. “I may be a so-called wordsmith. But to go from being a 1984 college dropout to finally finishing my degree in 2000 – and, 21 years after that, being chosen for the Presidents Award – evokes emotions I can’t adequately describe,鈥� Williams said. 鈥淚 can only hope that I inspire someone who thinks it’s too late for second chances, especially at a university I most heartily thank for giving me one.” In 1989, Williams became the principal writer of 鈥淟et鈥檚 Talk,鈥� a column she has called her own for the last 32 years. She has also written for the Active Style, Family, High Profile, Weekend and Style sections of the Democrat-Gazette, drawing numerous honors along the way. Williams was inducted into the Arkansas Writers Hall of Fame this year. She and her husband, Renarda “Dre” Williams, are 2019 recipients of a John H. Johnson Journalism & Media Award by the Arkansas-based Friends of John H. Johnson Museum. Williams has also received honors from the National Association of Black Journalists and the Central Arkansas Association of Black Journalists for advocating and elevating the work of Black journalists. In addition to her work with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Williams is the president of The Umoja Network and founder of its subsidiary, Make it Plain Ministries. Through these organizations, she is able to share her skills and knowledge with others by providing invaluable assistance to new writers and authors working to get published, public relations-related consultations with organizations seeking to make positive impressions with their audiences, and guiding the content creation process for print materials. An active member of the community, Williams is a lifetime member of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Alumni Association and served on its Board of Directors from 2013-2019. She is a member of “That.Church” in Sherwood and a past chairwoman of the Board of Directors for United Cerebral Palsy of Arkansas, where she currently serves as secretary. This year, Williams will participate in the 鈥淒ancing With Our Stars鈥� event with Stephen Stone, associate professor of dance at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, to raise funds for the Children鈥檚 Tumor Foundation. Golzar and Williams will be honored at the university鈥檚 annual Distinguished Alumni Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, at the Clinton Presidential Center. For more information, contact Smith at klsmith4@ualr.edu.]]> /news-archive/2021/08/24/dancing-with-our-stars/ Tue, 24 Aug 2021 19:35:02 +0000 /news/?p=79676 ... Stone, Williams to Perform in Upcoming Dancing With Our Stars Gala]]> . The event benefits the Children鈥檚 Tumor Foundation, which supports the Arkansas chapter鈥檚 research and mission to find a cure for neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that disturbs cell growth in the nervous system and causes tumors to form on nerve tissue. A portion of the proceeds will also be used to send Arkansas teens to international NF Camp. Stone will be joined by Helaine Williams, Sunday Style editor at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and a 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock alumnae. A 2021 Arkansas Writers Hall of Fame inductee, Williams has covered Dancing With Our Stars and is looking forward to the chance to participate herself. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the apex of what could almost be seen as a natural progression! I absolutely love dance and, covering this event for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette鈥檚 High Profile section over the years, I became a big fan of DWOS,鈥� Williams said. 鈥淚鈥檇 even catch myself daydreaming about being one of the performers. Last year I was invited to put down my camera and be a DWOS judge as well as join the Children鈥檚 Tumor Foundation advisory board. When I was asked to be a star, it was literally a daydream come true.鈥� The duo have been practicing since the last week of May, and Stone has been impressed with Williams鈥� love of dance. 鈥淗elaine Williams is such a beautiful and spirited person to work with,鈥� Stephen said. 鈥淪o often, whether I鈥檓 teaching a class to aspiring dancers or working in choreography and staging work, dancers often approach dance from a technique point of view and then think about the performance quality. Helaine starts from the joy inside of her that comes from dancing. She is naturally and authentically performing already.鈥� While Williams has not danced in school or professionally, she is a Zumba fan who loves to dance for recreation and exercise. 鈥淲hat I like about Stephen is that when he found out I was a Zumba fan, he had me demonstrate a few Zumba moves and laid those as groundwork for choreographing our routine,鈥� Williams said. 鈥淥ur rehearsals have gone extremely well because he uses down-to-earth language and comparisons to explain dance moves. We understand each other. And we鈥檝e become friends … we talk about life, and share experiences, just about as much as we rehearse!鈥� While Stone can鈥檛 give away too much information about the upcoming performance, he did say they are dancing to a very popular, upbeat 1990s song from an internationally known artist. 鈥淲e want the audience to be totally surprised,鈥� Stone said. 鈥淭he music and choreography and the costuming is culturally rich and flavorful. The dance is like a fusion of culture in terms of music and dress and social dance forms.鈥� People may vote for Helaine Williams by visiting ]]>