Pyle earned a Master of Arts in Applied Communication Studies from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 2011.

鈥淚 was honored to be selected,鈥� Pyle said. 鈥淭he other candidates are really wonderful, highly qualified colleagues of mine, so it was humbling to be chosen for the role.鈥�

As associate dean of undergraduate learning, Pyle will help shape Clemson’s undergraduate experience by overseeing initiatives related to student learning and the university’s general education curriculum. His work begins by listening, building relationships, and identifying opportunities for improvement.

鈥淢y primary goal starting in this new role is to get a good sense of where we have opportunities and where things aren鈥檛 working like they should in the General Education curriculum,鈥� Pyle said. 鈥淚 anticipate my first 6-12 months will primarily be learning the landscape, building relationships, and making sense of data to get a picture of where there are bottlenecks or where things need to be adjusted or updated.鈥�

Pyle said his enthusiasm for helping students learn and grow was shaped by the teachers and mentors who invested in him throughout his academic journey, including several faculty members at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

鈥淚鈥檝e had such wonderful teachers and mentors during my academic career, including some amazing folks in applied communication at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock,鈥� Pyle said. 鈥淚n my work as a professor, I always look for ways to connect with and create opportunities for students. I鈥檓 excited about this new role because it is all about ensuring that our undergraduate student experience is a strong one.鈥�

Pyle’s connection to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock began while he was completing his undergraduate degree at Ouachita Baptist University. During that time, he took a course taught by Dr. Linda Pledger, a retired 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock faculty member who encouraged him to consider the university’s graduate program in Applied Communication Studies.

鈥淪he knew that I was interested in an academic career, and she recommended that I take a look at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock for my graduate studies,鈥� Pyle said.

After meeting with then-department chair Dr. Rob Ulmer, Pyle said he quickly realized he had found the right place to continue his education.

鈥淗e convinced me that 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock was the right place for me to continue my academic journey,鈥� Pyle said. 鈥淗e was right. I had a marvelous experience with the wonderful people in applied communication.鈥�

Those experiences proved foundational to the educator and leader he would become.

Pyle credits his graduate assistantship and the mentorship of faculty members with shaping the way he teaches, mentors, and leads today. He specifically highlighted the influence of Dr. Kristen McIntyre, who served as both an instructor and supervisor during his time as a graduate assistant.

鈥淒r. McIntyre鈥檚 course and her mentorship during my time as a GA shaped the way that I teach and train others, and those are lessons I still apply to my teaching and mentoring today,鈥� Pyle said.

He also pointed to Ulmer’s leadership as a model he continues to follow.

鈥淚 try to emulate his leadership style,鈥� Pyle said. 鈥淗e was kind and supportive, but also challenged me to grow and develop. He had the humility to own his mistakes, which is unfortunately atypical in organizational structures.鈥�

Before being named associate dean, Pyle served as interim director of Clemson’s National Scholars Program and as undergraduate coordinator for Clemson’s Department of Communication. He said those experiences provided valuable preparation for his new responsibilities.

Looking ahead, Pyle hopes his work will strengthen the student experience for future generations of Clemson students.

鈥淢y hope is that I will be able to meaningfully contribute to work that will improve the undergraduate student experience at Clemson,鈥� Pyle said.

For students interested in pursuing careers in higher education, communication, or academic leadership, Pyle encourages gaining firsthand experience in research and teaching while staying patient as leadership opportunities develop.

Faculty jobs are research positions at most institutions, so students need to understand that from the outset, Pyle said. 

鈥淎dditionally, I would encourage students to pursue training and development as teachers,鈥� he said.

For those considering administrative roles, he offered a simple piece of advice.

鈥淒on鈥檛 rush into an administrative role simply because it鈥檚 available,鈥� Pyle said. 鈥淭hink about your interests and skills, as well as all the ways that moving into an administrative role will change your work dynamic. It鈥檚 a big change. Make sure you鈥檙e ready for that kind of upheaval.鈥�

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“When I learned about Enduring Opportunity, I looked it up and realized it was right in line with my desire to support scholarships,鈥� Gina Pharis said.聽

Longtime supporters of both 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and Little Rock Public Radio, they have remained actively engaged with the university for years. Their latest gift of $25,000 to create the Gina and Brett Pharis Enduring Opportunity Scholarship expands that commitment while helping more students pursue a college degree.

“The university helped shape who I became,” Pharis said.

As a theatre student, she overcame her fear of speaking in front of an audience and discovered new opportunities through coursework in radio, television, and film.

“I learned about radio, television, and film and went on to work at my one and only radio job at KARN in 1985,” she said.

The lessons she learned extended beyond the classroom. The relationships she built with faculty and fellow students left a lasting impact. 

“I was even invited to one of my professor’s retirement parties,” Pharis said. “The connections I made through all those impactful college days bring me back to the school.”

Years later, serving on the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Alumni Board gave her a deeper understanding of the role philanthropy plays in supporting students and advancing the university’s mission.

“Honestly, serving on the Alumni Board enlightened me to give in a philanthropic way,” she said.

Through their support of Enduring Opportunity, Gina and Brett Pharis hope to help more students earn a degree while reducing the financial burdens that can stand in the way of graduation.

“The impact will be substantial,” Pharis said. “It will be measured in the number of graduates over the coming years and the success of each student receiving that diploma with little to zero tuition debt. The smile on students’ faces will be worth every penny.”

The couple also sees the scholarship as an investment in the future of Little Rock and Arkansas.

“This program is designed to help each student have less stress and recognize how 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is helping them succeed, creating loyalty,” Pharis said. “The business community is working closely with departments all over campus scouting local talent. We are keeping students in Central Arkansas. 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is a gold mine for the businesses of Little Rock.”

As longtime supporters of the university, Gina and Brett hope others will find ways to stay connected and support future generations of students.

“I would ask every graduate to stay in touch,” Pharis said. “Join the Alumni Association, stay connected, and find ways to be involved. I would also encourage business owners who have a connection to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock to get involved on a deeper level. Find their passion and support it.”

For Gina and Brett Pharis, supporting Enduring Opportunity is both a way to give back to a university that made a lasting impact on their lives and an investment in the students who will help shape Arkansas’s future.

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Now, decades later, she is paying that opportunity forward by establishing the Mimi San Pedro Enduring Opportunity Endowed Scholarship at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. Through a $25,000 commitment, the scholarship will support the university’s Enduring Opportunity Scholarship program, helping students overcome financial barriers and pursue their educational goals.

“My family and I moved to the United States in the 1970s when the Philippines were under Martial Law,” San Pedro said. “We started over here in Little Rock, where we had family. I graduated from Mount St. Mary’s and was accepted to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, but I needed financial assistance. Through a combination of scholarships, grants, and working while in school, I was able to earn my degree, join a sorority, and graduate in four years.”

The experience opened doors that shaped her future. The education she received at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock helped launch a career that would make her a well-known leader in Arkansas’ business and nonprofit communities. 

Over more than 30 years, San Pedro held leadership roles in marketing, technology, entrepreneurship, and economic development, including serving as chief strategy officer for The Venture Center and mentoring the next generation of Arkansas leaders.

“I have been successful in business and life since then, and I wanted to give back,” she said.

San Pedro hopes her gift will create opportunities for students whose circumstances may be similar to her own.

“My family and I believe education is the key to a successful and fruitful life, so I chose to support 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock because it supported me,” she said. “My hope is that this gift will help someone like me get the education they need to be successful.”

The Enduring Opportunity Scholarship program helps students cover educational expenses, including tuition, books, fees, and room and board. The endowed scholarship will provide ongoing support for students with financial need and/or academic merit.

Beyond helping individual students, San Pedro sees the scholarship as an investment in Arkansas’ future workforce.

“Our state needs more educated individuals to help fill the skilled worker shortage,” she said. “The increasing number of technology companies and the anticipated impact of the lithium industry mean there will be even greater demand for educated and skilled professionals. Hopefully, those graduates will come from our universities and remain here in Arkansas.”

She encourages others who care about the future of Arkansas to consider supporting students through the university.

“If education is important to you and you recognize that Arkansas must compete for talent in the future and keep our talent here, then you have to invest in 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students,” San Pedro said.

For San Pedro, supporting 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is both a thank you for the opportunities she received and an investment in the students who will help shape Arkansas’ future.

To make a lasting commitment to student opportunity, please contact the Office of Alumni & Development at 501-916-3194 or email development@ualr.edu

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April Blackburn, longtime K-12 GT teacher for in Bigelow, Ark., was recognized for her significant contributions to GT education.  

Blackburn graduated in 2011 with a degree in education from the University of Central Arkansas (UCA). Freshly 22 and eager to put her diploma to use, she was offered a position as a GT teacher with East End School District, the only position open at the time, under the condition that she become certified as soon as possible.聽

While she didn鈥檛 quite realize all that being the district鈥檚 only GT teacher would entail, she was up for the task. Blackburn enrolled at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and began the process. By 2013, she only lacked three credits for her master鈥檚; by 2015, she had completed her M.A. in Gifted and Talented Education, a degree she never imagined she鈥檇 one day have. 

She credits Dr. Ann Robinson, a distinguished professor for the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock School of Education, for much of her success from that period.

鈥淭here were times when I looked at her and admitted I didn鈥檛 know if I had what it takes to finish [the program],鈥� Blackburn said. 鈥淎nd she said, 鈥楴o, you can, and I need you to stay with it.鈥� She was such a mentor to me.鈥� 

All these years later, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is still part of her life.

鈥溙切腣log传媒 Little Rock never left me after I graduated,鈥� she said. 鈥淒r. Robinson checked in on me when I lost my grandparents, and I still talk to my old professors. The great thing about being an alumnus is that you’re never gone from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. They’re always proud to call you a Trojan.鈥�

She and her husband were able to go to the university鈥檚 annual Taste of Little Rock April 7, which celebrates diverse culinary experiences from across the city.

鈥淸The invitation] reminded me I鈥檓 still part of the family,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t means a lot to me how much the university cares about their alumni and invests in their success.鈥�

Now 15 years into her tenure at East End School District, Blackburn went into her career hoping to create a safe environment that gives students the space to realize their potential.

鈥淚f I don’t teach, who will?鈥� she said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e struggling to get educators. We鈥檙e struggling to find the right people. And we’re losing teachers left and right for really valid reasons. I push forward through it because [my students] need me, and they’re going through much worse things than I am. I mean, I have kids who don’t even know what love is.鈥�

It was the idea of putting a smile on even one of their faces that gave her the idea to start wearing costumes to school more than a decade ago. In 2015, Blackburn walked into her classroom on Halloween wearing a homemade replica of Ms. Frizzle鈥檚 iconic space outfit: a navy blue dress patterned with stars and planets, space shuttle shoes and Saturn drop earrings. 

It became more than just a tradition. On National Popcorn Day, students know when they walk into school that she鈥檒l be dressed up as a giant bag of popcorn. When National Bubble Gum Day comes around a month later, she鈥檒l be dressed up as a bubble gum machine. Each 鈥渘ational day鈥� brings its own costume and theme.

鈥淚 probably have more than 300 at this point,鈥� she admitted. 鈥淪tudents who graduated years ago will come up to me in public and ask if I still wear them. I鈥檝e had people beg me to count them, and everyone laughs when I tell them how small of a closet I actually have. Most of the costumes are all vacuum sealed, and some of them are in my attic. The inflatable ones are in the garage.鈥�

If that鈥檚 not enough, she鈥檚 also earned the nickname 鈥淕rant Queen鈥� at her school. During the 2025鈥�26 school year alone, she secured 10 grants, including funding that allowed her middle school students to participate in several regional VEX Robotics competitions across Arkansas.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 want state funding to ever limit opportunities for my students,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 have four 3D printers in my classroom. I have class pets. I just hatched eggs in an incubator. There鈥檚 always something going on, and it makes the kids run to my door.鈥�

And when she鈥檚 not waiting by the door to welcome her students in, she鈥檚 helping out with quiz bowl, or chess club, or National Honor Society, or the spelling bee, or Arkansans for Gifted and Talented Education (AGATE), where she sits on the board and as elections chair.

鈥淚 wear a lot of hats, literally and figuratively,鈥� she said.

With the support of Callie Quiroz, principal and former librarian at Anne Watson Elementary School, Blackburn also created a makerspace lab鈥攁 space where students can go specifically to build and create.

Blackburn was raised in Conway by her grandmother, Clara, who was a third grade teacher at Ellen Smith Elementary School for 23 years before retiring to care for Blackburn and her siblings.

鈥淗earing the impact she had on students my whole life made me want to have a career where I could impact others,鈥� Blackburn said. 鈥淪ome of my kids get off the bus every morning and have come from awful situations. If wearing a crazy costume is going to make them feel like they can breathe, then that鈥檚 what I鈥檓 going to do.鈥�

Her grandmother passed away from pneumonia in 2024, 7 days after the birth of Blackburn鈥檚 son William. Clara watched Blackburn win several education awards throughout her career, including the Master鈥檚 and Specialist Award in November 2015 and the Act 56 Award from AGATE in 2018. 

鈥淚 know my grandma is watching, and I want to show her that giving up her career for us wasn鈥檛 a mistake,鈥� she said. 鈥淚’m going to make her proud until I retire, if I ever do. They might have to carry me out.鈥�

Of all her career milestones, one stood out as the moment she realized she made it as an educator. Every April, Blackburn takes dozens of students on multi-day trips as part of her curriculum. She is always blown away by the impact these trips seem to have on her students, many of whom have never been out of state. But one conversation on a charter bus to the San Antonio SeaWorld Camp in 2015 changed her perspective entirely.

鈥淚t was the middle of the night, and I was walking up and down the bus to make sure everyone was okay, and one of the girls was looking out of the window. I stopped to ask her if she was okay, and she said, 鈥榃e just crossed the Texas state line. Did you know that? I鈥檝e never been out of the state before, Ms. Blackburn.鈥欌��

That little girl鈥檚 face in that moment, where it clicked that she could go places she鈥檇 never been before, is something Blackburn says she鈥檒l never forget.

鈥淪he had a lot of hardship in her life: a mom in prison and a difficult upbringing being bounced from house to house. It reminded me that as horrible as the world can sometimes be, there are people who don鈥檛 have the opportunities we do, and bringing that kind of inspiration that comes with life experience is something that I don鈥檛 take for granted.鈥�

It鈥檚 advice that Blackburn will pass on to her children: four-year-old Clara and now two-year-old William, named after each of her grandparents, whose spirits live on through the joy she brings to her classroom each day.

Written by Olivia Hicks

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Two ceremonies will take place throughout the day.

Undergraduates from the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (DCSTEM) and the College of Business, Health, and Human Services (CBHHS) will participate in the 9:30 a.m. ceremony. Doors for guests will open at 8 a.m.

Special guests for the morning ceremony will include Ms. Danyelle Walker, distinguished alumna, member of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Board of Visitors, and the first African American president of the Arkansas Bar Foundation. A graduate of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law, Walker is a nationally recognized consumer bankruptcy attorney with 30 years of experience advocating for debtor rights and expanding access to justice in Arkansas.

Dr. Dean Kumpuris, chair of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Board of Visitors, will also participate in the ceremony. A respected cardiologist and civic leader, Kumpuris has long championed educational opportunity, healthcare access, and community engagement in Arkansas. Through his leadership, he has supported initiatives that strengthen student success and advance higher education across the state.

Student Nistha Neupane, recipient of the 2026 Edward Lynn Whitbeck Memorial Award, will be recognized during the morning ceremony. The Whitbeck Award is the university鈥檚 highest honor presented to a graduating senior. Neupane, a biology and chemistry student, has earned recognition for her cancer research, leadership, and advocacy work focused on improving access and representation in medicine.

Undergraduates from the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education (CHASSE), along with all graduate students from the Graduate School, will participate in the 2 p.m. ceremony. Doors for guests will open at 12:30 p.m.

In addition to Walker and Kumpuris, special guests for the afternoon ceremony will include Col. Nathaniel Todd of the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees. Todd is a retired military officer and longtime public servant who has supported education, leadership development, and community engagement efforts across Arkansas through his professional and civic service.

Family members and guests are encouraged to review commencement policies and ceremony details before arriving on campus. A clear bag policy will be in effect at the Jack Stephens Center for all commencement ceremonies.

Live streaming information, parking details, guest information, and additional commencement resources are available at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Commencement Information.

For more information about 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock commencement, contact the Office of Records and Registration at (501) 916-3110 or visit 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Commencement.

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The gift from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock alumnus and retired attorney James Bruce McMath and his wife, Becky, contributes to the Shellam Flake Planetarium Endowment Fund.

As 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock prepares to reopen the planetarium this fall, the endowment ensures the facility has the long-term support needed for operations, programming, and staffing, positioning it as a lasting destination for students and the community.

For McMath, the investment is deeply personal, rooted in a lifelong fascination with the night sky.

鈥淚 am a space race baby,鈥� McMath said. 鈥淚 was eight when Sputnik launched, and I followed it with the same enthusiasm as some people follow a sports team.鈥�

That early curiosity grew into a serious pursuit. What began as a telescope for his son turned into a lifelong passion, including building telescope mirrors and conducting amateur research. Today, McMath operates a robotic telescope and has contributed more than 130,000 observations of variable stars to an international database.

He sees the planetarium as a way to share that sense of discovery with others, especially at a time when fewer people have experienced the night sky in its full form.

鈥淭he reality is, without question, the greatest natural spectacle is the Milky Way stretching across the night sky,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut these days, few people have ever truly seen it.鈥�

A planetarium, he said, can help bridge that gap by giving people a broader understanding of the universe and their place within it.

鈥淎 planetarium can open people鈥檚 eyes and minds to the reality of our situation here on our little planet,鈥� McMath said.

Supporting the endowment is also a way for McMath to give back to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

鈥溙切腣log传媒 Little Rock was an important element in my personal development, and I have not done much to pay it back,鈥� he said.

He also sees the planetarium as a key connection point between the university and the city.

鈥淭he planetarium will be an ambassadorial and educational tool for the university,鈥� McMath said. 鈥淚t is an investment in the community that will build pride in the university among city residents and help people better understand our place in the universe.鈥�

Their support helps position the planetarium as a long-term asset for both the university and Central Arkansas.

Learn more about the Shellam Flake Planetarium at

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鈥淭hese alumni represent the best of what it means to be a Trojan,鈥� said Derek Boyce, director of alumni and corporate and foundation relations. 鈥淭heir leadership across health care, nonprofit service, and journalism reflects the ways our graduates make meaningful contributions to their communities, and we鈥檙e excited to have their voices on the Alumni Board.鈥�

The Alumni Board supports the university鈥檚 mission by strengthening relationships between 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and its graduates while creating opportunities for alumni engagement, mentorship, and community impact.

Cheryl Avants

Cheryl Avants, a lifelong Arkansan, brings decades of experience in pharmacy, health policy, and clinical operations. She retired from Arkansas BlueCross BlueShield in 2021 after six years as a clinical pharmacist, where she worked with national employers to expand medication management services and improve care strategies for patients with complex and rare conditions. 

Prior to joining Arkansas BlueCross, Avants worked in drug review programs and served as director of the Retrospective Drug Utilization Review program for Arkansas Medicaid. She also worked with the Colorado Medicaid program and held an earlier role as a clinical analyst in information technology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. 

Avants earned a Master of Business Administration from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Talethe Collins

Talethe Collins, a 2016 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock graduate, has built a career focused on nonprofit leadership and youth empowerment. She currently serves as a development officer with Make-A-Wish Mid-South, supporting efforts to grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. 

While attending 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Collins majored in political science with a minor in nonprofit leadership studies and earned her credential as a Certified Nonprofit Professional through the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance. She has previously served with 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Children International and Reading to Kids in Los Angeles County. 

Collins is also the founder of the R.E.A.L. Scholars Program, which provides opportunities for students in her hometown of Marianna, Arkansas, and recently published her first children鈥檚 book, Curious Cassie, encouraging young people to explore future career paths.

Staci Miller

Staci Miller, MBA 鈥�10, serves as director of development for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Community Journalism Project, where she works to strengthen local journalism through philanthropic partnerships and community engagement. 

Miller spent more than two decades in publishing, including a 21-year career with WEHCO Newspapers. During her tenure with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, she held leadership roles such as creative services director, niche publications director, and special sections manager. 

She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Southern Arkansas University and a Master of Business Administration from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and remains active in several community organizations throughout the Little Rock area.

Learn More

Together, these alumni bring a shared commitment to service, leadership, and community impact that reflects the strength of the Trojan network and its continued support for 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

Learn more about the Office of Alumni and Development at ualr.edu/advancement.

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For Golden, the concept resonated as a powerful vision for the campus. And then the Trojan Way was completed, and it was a shining example of what could be possible when everyone comes together around the Chancellor鈥檚 vision.  

鈥淎 university experience isn鈥檛 just about earning a degree,鈥� Golden said. 鈥淪tudents are also asking: Where will I live? Where will I eat? Where will I spend time with friends and make new friends that may last a lifetime? Where can I recreate? All of that is part of the living and learning environment.鈥�

This idea was part of a broader vision championed by Chancellor Christina S. Drale to strengthen the environments that support recruitment, retention, and the overall student experience at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

Golden said he saw that vision as both practical and powerful.

鈥淢y respect for the Chancellor is boundless,鈥� he said. 鈥淪he set a vision for strengthening the living and learning environment and has stayed true to it. When leadership sets a clear direction like that, it creates opportunities for others to step forward and help.鈥�

As a former Trojan swimmer and current member of the university鈥檚 Board of Visitors, Golden knew firsthand how much campus spaces shape the student experience. Some of his most meaningful moments as a student happened outside the classroom 鈥� in the pool, in shared campus spaces, and through the lifelong friendships built there.

That perspective led him to look closely at areas of campus that needed attention.

鈥淲e talked about taking care of what we already have,鈥� Golden said. 鈥淲hen you are able to take care of the spaces students use every day, the experience improves immediately.鈥�

Golden saw opportunities in two places that reflected both his own experience as a student-athlete and the spaces that now shape student life on campus,  the university鈥檚 swimming facilities and the Donaghey Student Center.

While the Donaghey Student Center was built after Golden鈥檚 time as a student, he said the facility represents exactly the kind of space envisioned in the university鈥檚 focus on strengthening the living and learning environment.

鈥淪tudents today need places where they can connect, recharge, and build community,鈥� Golden said. 鈥淭he Donaghey Student Center plays a big role in that experience.鈥�

At the same time, the university鈥檚 pool has long served as both a training facility for student-athletes and an important resource for the broader community.

Larry and Debbie Golden committed $95,000 to improvements in those spaces, supporting upgrades to locker rooms in the Donaghey Student Center, improvements to gym lighting, and new equipment and technology for the swimming facilities. They also recognized that strengthening these spaces would require broader support from the Trojan community.

鈥淲hen I realized we had an opportunity to align an interest area of our family, with the broader vision of the Chancellor, I knew this could be special,鈥� Golden said. 鈥淚 called some friends in the swimming community, and they were all in. They were ready to help, and everybody played a role.鈥�

One of those supporters was Joe Lansden, vice president of construction at Baldwin & Shell Construction Company, who helped bring both professional expertise and community commitment to the effort. He worked closely with university leadership and staff, including Vice Chancellor Dr. Cody Decker and his team, along with Dr. Richard Harper, Rudolfo Morales, Karl Lenser, Tom Genz, and Leslie Hutchins. Their guidance and support helped bring the project to life and ensured the improvements aligned with the university鈥檚 broader vision for the living and learning environment.

Among those who also stepped forward were alumni Mark and Michele Booth, former members of the Trojan swimming program who helped rally additional support from fellow swimmers and supporters. 

鈥淲hen Larry shared the vision of the upgrades for the pool, we saw that it was something greatly needed,鈥� Michele Booth said. 鈥淲e believe it will be beneficial for recruiting and building a strong team. When students walk into those spaces, we hope they feel a sense of pride, a feeling of support from alumni and a future commitment to the university. We feel that 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock was part of the foundation for our success, and giving back is a way to help others have that same experience.鈥�

Their involvement was part of a broader response from the swimming community, including current and former members of the Arkansas Dolphins program and others who regularly use the facility. Many offered ideas, encouragement, and financial support to help move the effort forward. Together with university support and contributions from alumni and community partners, the effort resulted in nearly $450,000 in improvements benefiting students and campus users.

University leaders say the improvements reflect the broader effort underway to strengthen the living and learning environment across campus.

鈥淲e are continuing to strengthen the living and learning environment across campus,鈥� said Chancellor Christina S. Drale. 鈥淲e are building real momentum around improving the environments where students spend their time. Spaces like the Donaghey Student Center play an important role in how students connect, recharge, and build community. Investments like Larry鈥檚 make a meaningful difference in the daily lives of our students.鈥�

Golden said supporting these improvements was his way of helping bring the university鈥檚 broader vision for the living and learning environment to life.

鈥淚鈥檓 grateful for the collaboration that made this possible 鈥� from Chancellor Drale and university leadership to the alumni and community members who stepped forward to support it,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his was really about aligning around a shared vision and doing our part to make the student experience even stronger.鈥�

To learn more about 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Centennial Campaign and how supporters are strengthening student experiences, visit ualr.edu/centennial.

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The centennial celebration will begin July 1, 2026, marking 100 years since the university鈥檚 founding. Events throughout the year-long celebration will reflect on the institution鈥檚 history and explore its future direction.

A university-wide Centennial Committee began meeting in mid-March and will continue to meet monthly, with subcommittees convening regularly to guide key focus areas of the celebration.

鈥淎s we begin planning for our centennial, we have a meaningful opportunity to recognize the people and milestones that have shaped 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock,鈥� said Dr. Carrie Phillips, chair of the Centennial Committee. 鈥淛ust as importantly, this effort is about positioning the university for continued growth and impact in the years ahead.鈥�

Some of the events being planned as part of the centennial celebration include: 

• A celebration marking the successful close of the university鈥檚 Centennial Campaign, which has already garnered significant philanthropic support from thousands of donors 
• A curated history exhibit highlighting key moments and milestones in the university鈥檚 development
• A community-wide service project reflecting 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 commitment to service
• A storytelling initiative showcasing defining moments and voices from across the university鈥檚 history

Subcommittees composed of faculty, staff, alumni, and community members are leading efforts in areas such as community engagement, student experience, alumni engagement, storytelling, historical preservation, academic excellence and innovation, and campaign celebration.

The committee structure brings together faculty, staff, alumni, and community members to guide planning across key areas of the celebration.

Together, these efforts are designed to highlight the university鈥檚 history while engaging the campus and community in shaping what comes next.

Members of the Centennial Planning Committee include: 

• Sydney Ambrus
• Brian Berry
• Derek Boyce
• Ross Bradley
• Kara Brown
• Guy Choate
• Emily Cox
• Ginger Daril
• Becca Davis
• Brandy Dixon
• Alicia Dorn
• Aaron Duvall
• Bobbie Handcock
• Noah Henkell
• John Hill
• Leslie Hutchins
• Amy Johnson
• Tansel Karabacak
• Samantha Koros
• Michelle Malone
• Linda Martin
• Sheila McKinnis
• Meaghan Milliorn
• Emily Mills
• Wendy Mincer
• Michael Moore
• Nate Olson
• Angela Parker
• Xavier Parker
• Jess Porter
• Annsley Pugh
• Muriel Schrepfer
• Kaylee Smith
• Kristi Smith
• Klansee Tozer
• Sandra Vail
• Felisha Weaver
• Lloyd Webre

More details about centennial events and opportunities for involvement will be announced in the coming months.

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Stewart graduated from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in May 2013 with a degree in marketing and a minor in psychology.

While at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, one of her marketing projects required students to create a business concept and pitch it to mock investors. It was one of her final projects before graduation. Stewart and her partner developed a mock sports bar concept centered around wings and beer 鈥� an experience that helped shape the way she approaches business today.

鈥淚n hindsight, there were many things that helped me, like having knowledge of the basic fundamentals of finance, marketing, and even pitching ideas,鈥� Stewart said. 鈥淗owever, one thing entrepreneurship will teach you is that you should always be a student.鈥�

That mindset would soon prove essential as Stewart navigated an unexpected turning point in her career.

鈥淥wning a business was actually a pivot from losing one of our primary incomes at the beginning of COVID,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e originally started as a meal prep company and then switched to pizza and wings after evaluating our business goals.鈥�

Since then, Certified Pies has grown into a community favorite with nearly 100,000 followers across its Facebook and TikTok pages.

鈥淏uilding this business through the pandemic shaped how we communicated with the community,鈥� Stewart said. 鈥淲ith everything around us shut down and our customer base operating remotely, we had to use social media to reach them. Truly, Certified Pies became its own personality through Facebook, and people enjoyed being able to interact with a local business.鈥�

Along with its growing social media presence, Certified Pies has also received national recognition. Southern Living recently named the restaurant one of the top 20 places for chicken wings in the South.

鈥淲e have been blessed to be featured in local magazines, but a national magazine is something major,鈥� Stewart said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 truly an honor to put Little Rock, Arkansas, on the map with our wings and to highlight another local business, Truth Sauce.鈥�

Looking back on her time at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Stewart says one lesson stands out: the importance of time management.

During her time as a student, she balanced a full course load while working a 40-hour-per-week call center job.

鈥淢anaging class schedules, professor expectations, along with the stress of a customer service job took a lot of juggling,鈥� she said.

For Stewart, success as a business owner has taken on a new meaning.

鈥淪uccess is very different as a business owner,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 used to be focused on working a full-time job and taking care of my family. Now it comes with great responsibility 鈥� providing job opportunities, feeding the community, and creating a space for families to gather. I appreciate the small wins just as much as the big ones.鈥�

Her advice for current 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students interested in starting their own business is simple:

鈥淛umping into entrepreneurship is like riding the longest roller coaster,鈥� she said. 鈥淲here you are right now is not where you will end. You will pivot many times along the way, but the journey is still worth it. Appreciate it.鈥�

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