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

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.”

Jerry and Sherri Damerow to receive ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Fribourgh Award

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 17:12:03 +0000

Jerry and Sherri Damerow, longtime supporters of STEM education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, will be honored during the eighth annual Fribourgh Award Reception. The Fribourgh Award recognizes individuals who made considerable contributions to the state through the disciplines of mathematics and science. The event will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, at the Pleasant Valley Country Club. Proceeds benefit the Science and Mathematics Leadership Endowed Scholarship Fund for undergraduate students. Jerry Damerow, a retired Ernst & Young partner, is on the board of Southern Bancorp and is chief financial officer of InterveXion Therapeutics LLC. He and his wife, Sherri, a retired kindergarten teacher, said the award presents a great opportunity to highlight the importance of STEM education. “Math, chemistry, physics, biology, and many more classes are the core STEM education classes we are supporting,” he said. “If students have a weak foundation in these core classes, it prevents us from preparing students for the jobs of the future.” The Damerows 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. 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. Jerry Damerow recently was named chair of the newly created Science Dean’s Council at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Council members advocate on behalf of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences and garner community support for science programs, including faculty and undergraduate research funding, the Fribourgh Award receptions, and the Science Olympiad. Jerry Damerow works at LLC, a University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences BioVentures start-up company that has a drug candidate for the treatment of methamphetamine in clinical trials. His previous experience includes serving as associate director of ��Vlog��ýMS BioVentures; as a managing partner for Ernst & Young operations in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Southeast Asia; and as a management consultant for early stage businesses. His 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 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. Sherri Damerow is a retired kindergarten teacher and artist. She has been involved in numerous charitable causes, including teaching computer skills to seniors at the ��Vlog��ýMS and volunteering with and the Humane Society of Pulaski County. 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 knew Dr. Fribourgh through their mutual membership in the Rotary Club of Little Rock, said he and his wife were honored to receive the award named after someone who made so many contributions to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “Dr. Fribourgh was a great guy,” he said. “To receive an award with his name on it is extra special.” Past recipients of the award 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., and Dr. Mary Good, founding dean of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Engineering and Information Technology. Tickets are on sale for $75 per person ($50 is tax deductible). Sponsorships range from $1,000 to $10,000. Tickets and sponsorships are available online or by contacting Derek Boyce at dcboyce@ualr.edu or 501.416.0611.

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

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

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

Jerry and Sherri Damerow to receive ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Fribourgh Award

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

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

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

Jerry and Sherri Damerow to receive ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Fribourgh Award