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

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Celebrates Military Heroes

John Hill — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 14:37:42 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock held a Veterans Day Ceremony to commemorate the university’s military students and veterans. “Friday’s Veterans Day ceremony and the ending of this year’s Homecoming week demonstrated how amazing this university’s staff is daily,” said Travis Weigel, director of military student success. “The Arkansas weather threw a wrench in our plans, but these professionals and our outstanding students adapted quickly. I thank everyone who helped or just came out to honor our ��Vlog��ý Little Rock veterans. During the ceremony, Chancellor Drale spoke of supporting our veterans and their importance to our community. While veteran student Jameice Flowers discussed how vital support and community are to adjusting to higher education after taking off the uniform. I would also like to thank Lakaia Massey for her wonderful rendition of the National Anthem.” Chancellor Christina Drale thanked ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s 548 student veterans and 81 faculty and staff veterans for their service. She recalled the history of Veterans Day. It began as Armistice Day at the end of World War I when Americans believed that would be the war to end all wars. After World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day in 1954, a day for Americans to gather and celebrate all veterans who have served their country. “We needed a day that would recognize that we will always have veterans and that veterans will always be the ones who have made the biggest sacrifices for our nation,” she said. “I want to recognize our Director of Military Student Success Travis Weigel for all of the great support he and his team provide for our military students and their families. We have made a commitment to our military students. We will help you, we will support you, and we will celebrate your success.” U.S. Navy Veteran Jamiece Flowers, a senior from McGehee, described how she plans to help fellow veterans through a career in social work after Arkansas social workers helped her through one of the darkest times in her life.

Chancellor Christina Drale speaks during a Veterans Day ceremony on campus. Photos by Ben Krain.

The ceremony ended with a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem by Lakaia Massey, a veteran and sophomore at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Following the ceremony, the Military Student Success Center and William H. Bowen School of Law’s Student Veteran Organization provided food truck vouchers to military and veteran attendees as part of the Homecoming Week celebrations. Chancellor Drale invited everyone to consider how to honor veterans not just on one special day of recognition, but all year-round. “For the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, that way is to commit to being a military-friendly campus and to encourage veterans and active military to further their education with us as they translate their experience and their ambitions into the next chapter of their lives,” Drale said. “We further that commitment through participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program to ensure that earned military benefits cover 100 percent of a veteran’s education. We are proud of our designation as a Purple Heart University as we pledge to honor and support wounded veterans and their families.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to Host Celebration in Honor of Veterans Day

John Hill — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 22:19:52 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is hosting a Veterans Day commemoration for the campus community, especially veterans and military families, on Nov. 11. Students, faculty, and staff will gather on the Fine Arts Lawn at 11 a.m. to honor ��Vlog��ý Little Rock veterans and their service. Chancellor Christina Drale will give the keynote address, followed by the playing of the National Anthem. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has a robust veteran population, from undergraduates and university staff to Ph.D. candidates and department chairs. This celebration gives the campus community an opportunity to honor them. The Homecoming food truck festival will commence at 11 a.m. The Military Student Success Center and William H. Bowen School of Law’s Student Veteran Organization staff will provide food truck vouchers to military and veteran attendees. “This is a small token of our appreciation to these men and women,” Director of Military Student Success Travis Weigel said. “We hope to serve them as honorably as they served our nation.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to Celebrate Fall 2022 Homecoming Week

John Hill — Fri, 04 Nov 2022 13:19:54 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will celebrate Homecoming Week Nov. 7-13. The Homecoming game will feature a doubleheader on Nov. 10, with the Little Rock Women’s Basketball team playing against the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and the Little Rock Men’s Basketball team playing against Arkansas Baptist. Fans can come up out to the Homecoming Tailgate at 4 p.m. in Lot 13 for some food, fun, and t-shirt giveaway. On Food Truck Friday, student food truck vouchers will be available at 11:15 a.m. Faculty, staff, and administrator vouchers will be available at 12:30 p.m. while supplies last. Students can for “Black Panther 2” beginning Monday, Nov. 7. They can also�� for the Cardboard Boat Regatta until Tuesday, Nov. 8. Homecoming Week will conclude with the Jack Stephens Center court being named after�� longtime head women’s basketball Coach Joe Foley during a special ceremony at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13, before the Trojans take on Ole Miss. The daily events are as follows: Monday, Nov. 7

Maroon Monday Talent Show, EIT Auditorium, 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 8

Campus Treasure Hunt, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock campus, 8 a.m.
Trojan Games, Coleman Sports Complex/Intramural Fields, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 9

Drive-Up Canned Food Drive, Donaghey Student Center Foyer, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Cardboard Boat Regatta, Donaghey Student Center Aquatic Center, 2 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 10

Homecoming Tailgate, Lot 13 East, 4 p.m.
Women’s Basketball vs. ��Vlog��ýPB, Jack Stephens Center, 5 p.m.
Men’s Basketball vs. Arkansas Baptist, Jack Stephens Center, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 11

Veterans Day Ceremony, Campus Drive/Outside of Fine Arts Building, 11 a.m.
Food Truck Friday & NPHC Stroll-off, Campus Drive/Outside of Fine Arts Building, 11:15 a.m.
Movie Night — “Black Panther 2,” AMC Theater (17825 Chenal Pkwy, 72211), 6 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 13

Joe Foley Court Dedication – Women’s Basketball vs. Ole Miss, Jack Stephens Center, 12:30 p.m.

Student veterans and spouses share experiences at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Veterans Day Ceremony

Wed, 14 Nov 2018 17:54:17 +0000

For ��Vlog��ý Little Rock social work student Jackie Fowler, Veterans Day is a day of solace, contemplation, and reflection on the events in her life that brought her to where she is today. Five years ago, Fowler’s life took an unexpected turn when she learned that her husband had been seriously injured in an accident while deployed. He would pass away a few months later. Today, Fowler has dedicated her life to working with both veterans and other military spouses who have gone through similar experiences, and has bravely shared her story with the campus. “When my husband passed, his GI Bill scholarships passed to me. I decided to use that to pursue a degree in social work and focus on veterans’ services,” Fowler said. “I want to do the best I can to give them the best they deserve.” ��Vlog��ý Little Rock joined the rest of the nation in celebration of the 100th observance of Veterans Day at a Nov. 12 ceremony featuring student and employee veterans along with spouses of veterans. Kathy Oliverio, an Air Force veteran and director of Military Student Success at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, opened the ceremony with remarks about the history of Veterans Day, its origins as Armistice Day following the end of World War I a century ago, and the importance of its observance to those who have served. Student veterans Josh Keyes and Andy Wertherington shared their experiences in the armed forces as well as the difficulties that they had re-adjusting to life after their service ended. Both pointed to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Military Student Success Center as an important player in their new lives as students. “I don’t know really where I’d be without Kathy and the services she provides to veterans here,” Keyes said. “It’s been a long process readjusting to civilian life but ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has people that have gone through the same thing and are there to help you work through it.” Solo piano arrangements of “The Star Spangled Banner” and “Taps” were performed by Dr. Linda Holzer, professor of music and coordinator of classical piano studies, with music major and Wind Ensemble member Stephanie Gimenez performing on the snare drum. For more information about ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Military Student Success Center, click here. Military Student Success Center Assistant Director and Coast Guard veteran Cheryl Kleeman prepares flags for the Nov. 12 ceremony.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to honor members of military with week of events

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 21:14:17 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will honor its veterans and military service members with celebratory events during “Heart of Servicemember” Week Nov. 12-16.�� The week of events begins with a Veterans Day Ceremony on Monday, Nov. 12, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall in the Fine Arts Building. The Military Student Success Center will hold an open house following the ceremony from noon to 4 p.m. in the Applied Communication Building Room 111. The Veteran Education Training (VET) 365 Program will host a seminar at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, in the Donaghey Student Center Leadership Lounge to introduce faculty and staff to the strengths, challenges, and realities that military service members and their families encounter. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 14, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock veterans, faculty, staff, and students can enjoy a free lunch provided by Sodexo in the Military Student Success Center. Those attending lunch can also take a picture with the selfie screen and post it to social media using #��Vlog��ýLRVeteransDay. The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock community will hear from student veterans during a panel discussion, “Bridging the Military-Civilian Divide at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock,” at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, ��in Donaghey Student Services Center D. The week will end with an open forum that highlights the benefits of hiring veterans and debunking myths that serve as barriers to recruiting and retaining veterans in the workforce. “Hiring Veterans: Debunking the Myths” will be from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, in Donaghey Student Center A. All week long, people may stop by the Student Services Center reception desk to pick up a star to honor any veterans in their life. For more information, contact Kathy Oliverio, director of military student success, at 501-682-8387 or kmoliverio@ualr.edu.

Student veterans to share experiences during ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Veterans Day ceremony

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 15:34:49 +0000

Three student veterans will serve as the guest speakers during the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Veterans Day ceremony on Friday, Nov. 10. Conrad De Le Pas, a retired senior master sergeant from the U.S. Air Force, Kim Thornton, a U.S. Air Force veteran, and Caleb Wakefield, a U.S. army veteran, will talk about their experiences serving in the military, after leaving the military, and life as a student veteran at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. The ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall in the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Fine Arts Building. Kathy Oliverio, director of Military Student Success, will give the opening remarks. Comments will also be given by Joe Lutker, president of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s student organization Students Affected by the Military, and Cheryl Kleeman, who will lead the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence. Joseph Filipek, music major, will perform the drumroll, while Dr. Linda Holzer, a professor of music and coordinator of classical piano studies, will play a solo piano arrangement of the national anthem. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students and employees are encouraged to wear red, white, and blue on Nov. 10 to honor those who have served our country.

��Vlog��ýLR honors veterans during Veterans Day Ceremony

Jenny Lambert — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 22:51:50 +0000

Tears flowed throughout the Student Services Center auditorium as family, friends, faculty, and staff expressed their deepest gratitude to those who have served our country during the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Veterans Day Ceremony Nov. 11.�� Mike Tramel, chair of ��Vlog��ýLR’s Construction Management Department and a Vietnam veteran, began the ceremony with warm, welcoming remarks along with a brief history lesson acknowledging the roots of Veterans Day. “This day was originally known as Armistice Day, the day that celebrated the ending of World War I, the great war to end all wars,” Tramel said. Reading a snippet of President Woodrow Wilson’s Armistice Day proclamation, Tramel continued, “So on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, we come together to celebrate our heroes and those who died while serving our country, but also to say thank you for all who have served this great nation of ours.” He goes on to reveal the observance of Veterans Day, “the national day of observation honoring American veterans of all wars.” Following Tramel’s remarks, veterans in attendance stood to be recognized, receiving extended praise and thanks from audience members. Soon after, Kevin McGee, a veteran and president of ��Vlog��ýLR’s Students Affected by the Military, gave a word of prayer before the presentation of colors by the Jacksonville High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.��

The Jacksonville High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps served as the color guard during the Veterans Day celebration.

Almost immediately after, ceremony participants stood with hands over hearts as the words of the National Anthem filled the room, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. As the ceremony neared its closing, the guest speaker, Eddie Pannell, ��Vlog��ýLR graduate and U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran of Vietnam, spoke of the courage it takes to leave loved ones behind for the sake of freedom. “We’re here to celebrate our veterans for their patriotism, their love of country, and their willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good,” he said. “Hopefully, people can appreciate our service, but they will never truly know what it means to be a veteran until they put on that uniform.” As he shared of his personal experiences, Pannell became overwhelmed with emotion. “I’m getting older now, but as I get older, toward the end of this journey, I grow even more proud to be called a veteran, having served my country,” Pannell said. “I was, am, and always will be a United States Marine.” At the age of 14, Pannell couldn’t wait to join the marines after hearing what he’d deemed to be a lie told by President Lyndon B. Johnson. “He said that during the Gulf of Tonkin incident, one of our destroyers was fired on by a North Vietnamese patrol boat in south China sea. At 14, I thought that was terrible,” he said. “They can’t get away with that.” Five weeks after his 17th birthday, Pannell begged his mother to sign him into the Marine Corp, and so she did. He begin boot camp January 2, 1968. Not knowing that he couldn’t be sent to combat before 19, Pannell tried everything that he could to get to Vietnam. After completing boot camp, he was sent to Cherry Point in North Carolina where he quickly requested mast, or the right to speak with the commanding officer and for the officer to consider and respond to the matter. “You do what the Marine Corp tells you, but I joined the Marine Corps to fight,” Pannell said. “You see I wasn’t that bright.” Upon his request, the career planner saw what Pannell was attempting and offered him a deal. Due to Pannell’s high scores on the language portion of his tests, he was given the option to attend language school for one year and be shipped to Vietnam afterwards. “I did that, and I really believe that was God’s way,” Pannell paused as he choked up and his eyes begin to swell with tears. “Anyway, I went to language school and studied the language, the customs, the culture, the religions, and I fell in love with the Vietnamese people.” As a still silence covered the room, tears fell from the face of many who were captivated by Pannell’s story.��

An audience member is moved to tears during Eddie Pannell’s speech during the Veterans Day celebration.

After upholding the requirements of his deal, Pannell was on a plane headed for Vietnam. “As we’re walking off of the plane, there was a guy there with a water hose and there were some green looking trash bags by him,” Pannell said. “Someone had asked the guy what he was doing and he said that these boys were going home.” Pannell remembers about 20 to 30 body bags laying there, ready to be shipped back to the states. “I thought, this wasn’t John Wayne anymore,” he said. “This was real. People were getting killed over here.” Pannell reminisced about the pain he felt after losing the war and the tragedies that he witnessed in hope of encouraging young people to question politicians and their decisions. “Your voice does make a difference,” he said. “Stand up for yourself, your families, and veterans. We need you.” The ceremony concluded with a moment of silence for a ��Vlog��ýLR fallen veteran, Neotero Isalm. Following the ceremony, veterans were offered a free lunch in the Diamond Cafe as a token of the school’s appreciation. In the upper right photo, guest speaker and alumnus Eddie Pannell speaks during the Veterans Day 2016 celebration Nov. 11 in the Student Services Center auditorium. Photos by Lonnie Timmons III/��Vlog��ýLR Communications.

��Vlog��ýLR to host Veterans Appreciation Week

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 20:29:29 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will honor its student, faculty and staff veterans during its annual Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 11. The ceremony will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11, in the Student Services Center auditorium. Following the event, free lunch will be provided to veterans from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Diamond Cafe. The ceremony is a part of ��Vlog��ýLR’s Veterans Appreciation Week Nov. 7-11. The week will kick off with a slideshow honoring ��Vlog��ýLR veterans that will be featured on television monitors throughout campus during the week. ��Vlog��ýLR veterans are encouraged to fill out this online form to be included in the slideshow. All members of the ��Vlog��ýLR community are encouraged to retrieve honor stars from the Office of Records and Registration to honor veterans. Stars will be placed on the glass bridge between the Student Services Center and the Donaghey Student Center. The ��Vlog��ýLR Veterans Affairs Open House will commence from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 8 in the Student Services Center Room 118. Participants can meet the school’s veterans as well as explore an exhibit of collectibles, keepsakes, and articles about life in the military. On Nov. 9, former service members will gather in the Donaghey Student Center Ledbetter Hall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a veterans lunch. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., community members can show their support during the Heart of a Servicemember Selfie event in the Donaghey Student Center. Participants are asked to upload a photo with the Happy Veterans Day sign to social media using #HappyVeteransDay2016. ��Vlog��ýLR students and employees are encouraged to wear red, white, and blue to honor those who have served our country on Nov. 10. For more details on the Veterans Appreciation Week events, visit the Veteran Student Success website.

Veterans Appreciation Week set

Taylor Aldana — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 22:54:33 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will show its gratitude to veterans the week of Nov. 9 through Nov. 13 during Veterans Appreciation Week. A Veterans Day ceremony honoring all veterans will be held from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 11 in the Donaghey Student Center Ledbetter Hall. Guest speaker Drew County District Judge Sara Hartness is scheduled to give the keynote address. Like many members of her family, Hartness is a proud veteran, and she served in the Signal Corps in Heidelberg, Germany. ��Vlog��ýLR Chancellor Dr. Joel E. Anderson will start the ceremony with welcome remarks, and a moment of silence will be held in memory of the fallen. Student veterans will be honored, and an Excellence in Service to Veterans award will be presented. This year, the university plans to honor service members who are current ��Vlog��ýLR students, alumni, or employees by featuring them on a digital honor wall. Active or retired service members are encouraged to complete a form here to be featured on the digital wall. The honor wall will be on display throughout campus during the week. The following is a list of scheduled events to honor veterans:

Office of Veterans Affairs Open House: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, in the Student Success Center, Room 118
VA Resource Fair and Mobile Vet Center: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, outside the Donaghey Student Center
Cake with the Office of Veterans Affairs, celebrating the U.S. Marine Corps’ birthday: ��Tuesday, Nov. 10, all day in the Student Success Center, Room 118
Veterans Day ceremony: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, ��in the Donaghey Student Center Ledbetter Hall
Meet and greet for students affiliated with the military: 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Nov. 12, in Student Success Center, Room 118
Veterans Career Workshops and Fair: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, in Student Services Center, Room 118

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

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Celebrates Military Heroes

����Vlog��ý Little Rock to Host Celebration in Honor of Veterans Day

����Vlog��ý Little Rock to Celebrate Fall 2022 Homecoming Week

Student veterans and spouses share experiences at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Veterans Day Ceremony

����Vlog��ý Little Rock to honor members of military with week of events

Student veterans to share experiences during ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Veterans Day ceremony

����Vlog��ýLR honors veterans during Veterans Day Ceremony

����Vlog��ýLR to host Veterans Appreciation Week