The season鈥檚 lead exhibition, Todd Hido鈥檚 A Series of Small Decisions, will be on view in the Brad Cushman Gallery. Hido, a San Francisco Bay Area-based artist, is internationally recognized for atmospheric photographs of suburban landscapes, homes, and interiors that explore memory, isolation, and the emotional resonance of place. His work has appeared in publications including The New York Times and Vanity Fair, and is held in the permanent collections of major institutions including the Guggenheim Museum, the Smithsonian, and the Whitney Museum of Art. The exhibit features a selection of photographs that showcase his distinctive cinematic style and his ability to transform ordinary scenes into evocative visual narratives. 

Invictus: Photographs of Angela Strassheim will also be on view, featured in the Ann Maners and Alex Pappas Gallery. Strassheim is a contemporary photographer known for her psychologically charged portraits exploring family, memory, and community. Drawing on her background in forensic photography, she examines the traces people leave behind and the complex stories within everyday environments. Invictus features a selection of photographs that examine personal histories and the intersection of identity, place, and experience.

Intersection of Craft and Photography, a group show in the North and South Galleries will feature artists who combine traditional craft techniques with photographic processes to create innovative works that blur the boundaries between mediums. The fall season will also host the Society for Photographic Education (SPE) South Central Chapter Conference on Oct. 23-24 at WCAD. The SPE South Central Photography exhibition displayed in the Focus Gallery is intended for their members and the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock public to see the efforts of advanced photographers. This exhibition will feature work from students, educators, and independent artists from Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. This exhibition will be juried by Brian Young, gallery director, at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. As part of the conference and exhibition activities, Hido will deliver a public lecture at 3 p.m. Oct. 24 in Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall in the Fine Arts Building. The lecture is free and open to the public.聽

鈥淔or the fall of 2026, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock aims to be the center of contemporary photography in the state and certainly among the leading venues in the Southeast,鈥� Young said. 

Featuring internationally recognized artists, emerging voices, and interdisciplinary approaches, the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Fall 2026 exhibition offers a unique opportunity to experience multiple facets of contemporary photography. Together, the exhibits foster a broader conversation about the medium鈥檚 possibilities. Across WCAD鈥檚 galleries, the fall season showcases the range of artistry shaping the medium today.

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From auditing freight costs to exploring belief systems that have shaped entire civilizations, her story is anything but ordinary.

Even her start at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock was unconventional. Limbaugh began as a chemistry major in 2007, but life took her in another direction. After stepping away from college for several years and building a career in transportation, she鈥檚 returned to the classroom.

“When I first attended college, I was not the student I am today,” Limbaugh said. “Returning as an adult gave me a very different perspective. I returned to school with renewed focus and passion. I am now fully committed and determined to achieve a goal I had set for myself years earlier.”

While history and logistics may seem like an unlikely pair, she sees them as deeply intertwined. Her lifelong fascination with history has given her a broader perspective on the transportation industry, helping her see how the movement of people and goods has shaped societies for centuries. From Roman roads and maritime trade routes to today鈥檚 global supply chains, she sees transportation at the heart of economic growth and social change.

鈥淗istory influences everything, and knowledge of history helps inform decisions, understand motivations, and contextualize the world we live in,鈥� said Limbaugh. 鈥淯nderstanding the origins of a system can often provide valuable insights into its future.鈥�

Limbaugh鈥檚 dedication to both her studies and her career has recently been recognized by two communities important to her journey. She received the Richard B. Dixon Undergraduate Scholarship, awarded to a 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock history major, as well as the Scholarship in the leadership category 鈥� a national honor supporting women who are advancing their education and professional development in the trucking and transportation industry. For her, what has meant the most is knowing that people see value in the work she has put into both her education and her career, and that others believe in what she is trying to accomplish.

“As an adult student balancing school and a full-time career, there have certainly been challenges along the way,” Limbaugh said. “What has meant the most is knowing that people saw value in the work I have put into both my education and my career.”

Despite working in a traditionally male-dominated industry, she considers herself fortunate to have built her career within a women-led organization, where she has been surrounded by strong female mentors. Witnessing women in leadership roles from the start inspired her to envision similar paths for herself. Her involvement with Women in Trucking further reinforced the value of mentorship and the importance of creating opportunities for others.

“The support I have received has reinforced my belief that women like me have an important role to play in shaping the future of the industry,” Limbaugh said. 

Looking ahead, Limbaugh plans to pursue a master’s degree in supply chain management and continue growing within the transportation industry. She hopes to move into a leadership role where she can help develop team members and create opportunities for others, just as mentors did for her throughout her career.

As she continues working toward those goals, she encourages other women considering careers in transportation鈥攐r adults thinking about returning to college鈥攖o believe in themselves and embrace opportunities, even when the path ahead feels uncertain. She hopes her story shows that following your interests, even when they seem worlds apart, can lead to rewarding and unexpected opportunities.

“Returning to school as an adult and building a career in transportation were not part of the plan I made in high school, but those experiences shaped the person I am today 鈥� and I like that person,” Limbaugh said.

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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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The exhibit, 250 Years of American Symbols, explores the history and meaning of iconic symbols throughout the nation鈥檚 history. It will be on display in the Capitol fourth-floor gallery through early September as part of the statewide America250 celebration.

At the center of the project is Dr. Kristin Dutcher Mann, a professor of history, whose research on the Arkansas Liberty Bell Replica inspired the larger exhibit. As her research continued, she connected with Jennifer Hughes, curator for the Arkansas State Capitol, who was developing exhibit ideas for the America250 celebration. That introduction opened the door to a new collaboration, the creation of the exhibit, and the exciting opportunities for students to research, design, and install an exhibit in the State Capitol.

鈥淚 invited Dr. Mann to join our discussion,鈥� Hughes said. 鈥淔rom there, the idea to have her students develop a display about American symbols was decided as a part of the multiple exhibits we will host to commemorate the semiquincentennial.鈥�

The 250 Years of American Symbols exhibit explores how symbols such as the Liberty Bell, the bald eagle, and the national anthem have been adopted to shape the nation鈥檚 identity and communicate its values over the years. The exhibit explores well-known and lesser-known symbols, encouraging visitors to explore how Americans have used them to express shared ideas, commemorate important moments, and ultimately define the nation. Throughout the exhibit, symbols are presented not only as reflections of history but also as aspirations that help Americans 鈥渇orm a more perfect union.鈥�  

鈥淪ymbols are calls to action for Americans to improve their country and their own lives,鈥� Mann said. 鈥淎 study of American symbols shows us both change and continuity in American history, as well as how the country views itself at different significant anniversaries.鈥�

The exhibit’s exploration of American identity was shaped not only by its history and artifacts but also by the five 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students who helped bring it to life.

History students Sydney Evans, Dawson Arnold, Tamara Riddle, and Amy Stabila, along with graphic design student Jadon Parks, researched artifacts, wrote exhibit text, coordinated museum and archive loans, designed display panels, and helped install the exhibit in the Capitol gallery, gaining hands-on experience beyond the classroom.

For the students, seeing their work displayed in the State Capitol as part of the nation鈥檚 250th anniversary celebration was an experience they never imagined would be possible.

鈥淚t was exciting to be part of something much bigger than a classroom project,鈥� Evans said. 鈥淲e helped shape the exhibit from start to finish, and seeing visitors engage with our work in the State Capitol was a surreal experience that I鈥檒l never forget.鈥�

What began as faculty research evolved into collaboration among students, state agencies, museums, and archives across Arkansas. The result is an exhibit that invites visitors to view the symbols that have shaped the nation鈥檚 identity, values, and aspirations over the past 250 years, while considering their continued relevance today.

Mann encourages visitors to see these symbols as more than static images. 

鈥淭hey remind us that our democracy is a work in progress and that our history binds us together,鈥� she said.

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鈥淚 want to help foster more connected, accessible, and sustainable communities,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 want to contribute to urban planning strategies that integrate active transportation, mixed-use development, and urban forest health.鈥�

That dedication recently earned her the Henry M. Alexander Scholarship Award from the (ACMA). The scholarship is awarded to students interested in urban government, especially city management.

For Swain, the recognition marks just a small portion of her public service journey. A United States Navy veteran, she served as an information systems technician at the Fleet Weather Center in Norfolk, Virginia. During her time in Virginia, she also dedicated more than 400 hours as a volunteer state park ranger, assisting visitors and supporting educational programs.

Before pursuing her master’s degree, Swain earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Today, she serves as the City of Searcy’s first planning administrator and as Chair of the Searcy Tree Board, while also contributing to other local boards and committees focused on planning and beautification.

The award came during a busy year marked by professional responsibilities, academic demands, and a regular commute between Searcy and Little Rock.

Beyond the financial support, the award provided Swain with an opportunity to attend the 2026 ACMA Conference in North Little Rock, where municipal leaders, students, and public service professionals from across Arkansas gathered to discuss issues facing local communities.

The conference reinforced Swain鈥檚 commitment to advancing connectivity, accessibility, and sustainability through public service.

鈥淭he message that strong communities are built on connectivity really resonated with me,鈥� she said. 鈥淏uilding infrastructure that supports safe and convenient active transportation, as well as relationships that foster belonging and support, are both fundamental to community strength. This perspective continues to shape how I approach my work in public service.鈥�

As she prepares to begin her second and final year in the MPA program this August, Swain is returning to campus with a renewed sense of purpose. The award recognizes her accomplishments to date; she views that as encouragement to continue growing as a public servant and community leader.

鈥淭he award reinforced that the work I鈥檓 doing matters,鈥� Swain said. 鈥淚t motivates me to continue learning, building relationships, and finding ways to make a meaningful impact in Arkansas communities.鈥�

Service has been a constant part of Swain鈥檚 life. From teaching as a substitute teacher in Monticello, Arkansas, serving in the U.S. Navy, to hours of volunteer work, she has continually sought out opportunities to serve others. Pursuing her MPA is just the latest step in that journey, strengthening her skills and knowledge to make a lasting impact in the communities she serves.

鈥淚n city planning, the phrase 鈥榟ighest and best use鈥� is used to evaluate land based on its potential to serve the community,鈥� Swain said. 鈥淪imilarly, my professional and educational goals are guided by a determination to reach my own highest and best use in public service.鈥�

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The ACDA-AR Undergraduate Conducting Symposium brings together talented student conductors from across Arkansas to receive mentorship, conducting instruction, and professional development from experienced choral educators.

For music education majors Analise Brewer and Avery Litton, the opportunity is the latest milestone in a journey neither expected. Both arrived on campus focused on music education and performance, never considering conducting. But what began as a required course quickly became a passion and a potential career for them. 

To many people, conducting may look like simply keeping time. In reality, conductors are responsible for interpreting music, communicating style and emotion, and guiding an ensemble through a shared artistic vision. 

Developing those skills as an undergraduate is no small feat.

It also often requires a musical history lesson as understanding the time period, style, and intent of a composer shapes how a piece is interpreted and led. Much of the repertoire conductors work with comes from classical and historical works, meaning students must learn to read not only the notes on the page, but also the context behind them in order to guide an ensemble effectively.

鈥淲hen I took my first conducting course, it was then that I had my ‘this is it’ feeling,鈥� Brewer said. 鈥淕etting on stage in front of an ensemble and performing with them, there is nothing like it.鈥�

Both students found conducting in the classroom, but each had their own reasons for sticking with it.

For Brewer, conducting brought an unexpected sense of belonging. She started out focused on singing, but soon felt drawn to leading and performing with an ensemble. This role let her combine her love for music and leadership. As her interest in conducting grew, so did her opportunities. She has led 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock choirs in concert, connected with music educators across Arkansas, and gained experience as a student liaison for the ACDA-AR board.

“Conducting is a special art that provides me with the feeling of belonging. Getting on stage in front of an ensemble and performing with them, there is nothing like it,鈥� Brewer said.

Litton鈥檚 path to conducting was different. She has played flute since sixth grade and came to campus focused on performance and music education. At first, conducting seemed intimidating, but she soon became interested in the history and emotions behind each piece. As she learned about composers and their work, she realized conducting is more than keeping time; it is about telling the story behind the music and helping an ensemble bring it to life. The teamwork involved in conducting became one of its biggest draws.

“It’s not power and control. It’s guidance. Conducting is always collaborative,” Litton said.

As they get ready for the symposium, both students are excited to keep building their skills as conductors. Brewer wants to improve her score study and conducting technique as she works toward teaching music, with plans to return to school for a master鈥檚 degree in conducting.

For Litton, conducting has encouraged her to get more involved on campus and try new opportunities. She hopes to learn more about expressive conducting, lesson planning, and teaching strategies to help her as a future music educator.

“I never thought that I would be here or be conducting,” Litton said. “It has shown me how much I have grown and become confident over the last couple of years.”

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Drs. Ann Robinson and Monica Meadows of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock School of Education recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to present at an invitational colloquium organized by the Children (NAGC) conference and hosted by the (AFT). As a national leader in research, professional learning, and advocacy for gifted and talented students, the NAGC partnered with the AFT 鈥� the nation鈥檚 second-largest teachers鈥� union, representing more than 1.7 million members 鈥� to bring together experts and educators dedicated to advancing opportunities for all students.

The , brought together educators, researchers, and policy leaders from across the country to address the increasing need for teacher preparation programs that enable educators to recognize and support gifted, creative, and talented students in today鈥檚 classrooms.

鈥淓very child deserves to learn something new every day 鈥� including advanced and precocious children and youth,鈥� Robinson, director of the Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education, said.

During the colloquium, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock was recognized as a national leader in gifted education and was invited to present its work to attendees. The university is one of only two undergraduate teacher preparation programs in the U.S. 鈥� alongside Purdue University 鈥� that requires a course in gifted education as part of the middle childhood education curriculum.

鈥淚t鈥檚 the combination of our faculty鈥檚 commitment and collaboration in both middle childhood and gifted education, along with innovative elements like a rigorous, year-long online residency and a required undergraduate course in gifted education, that sets our program apart. This is innovative thinking at its best,鈥� Robinson said.

The course that started the undergraduate gifted education initiative is GATE 40003, 鈥淕ifted, Creative, and Talented Education for Classroom Teachers,鈥� developed about five years ago through a collaborative effort led by Dr. Lundon Pinneo, coordinator of the middle childhood education program. The course was created after Arkansas changed its middle school teaching licensure requirements, creating space in the curriculum for additional specialized training. 

鈥淚 wanted to use that opportunity to better meet both state requirements and, more importantly, the needs of our students,鈥� Pinneo said.

Using feedback from mentor teachers and faculty, Pinneo identified key areas where future educators needed additional support. She reached out to Robinson to adapt graduate-level gifted-education concepts for undergraduate teacher candidates.

鈥淲ithout collaboration among faculty, the undergraduate course in gifted education at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock would never have taken place,鈥� Meadows said.

Since its introduction, the course has become a defining feature of the middle childhood education program, with faculty collaboration playing a critical role in its success. 

鈥淲e鈥檝e been given an exciting opportunity for our School of Education to take the lead in demonstrating to the rest of the country how important pre-service preparation programs are in filling the gap that can exist between general education and specialized gifted education,鈥� Robinson said. 

At the colloquium, organizers focused on the persistent 鈥済ap鈥� in educator preparation nationwide: while most teachers receive training to support students with disabilities, far fewer are prepared to recognize and meet the needs of advanced learners. Through their presentations, Robinson and Meadows offered 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock’s approach as a model for addressing that challenge, demonstrating how gifted education can be integrated into undergraduate teacher preparation programs.

鈥淭here was a lot of excitement around the course and the work we shared at the colloquium,鈥� Meadows said. 鈥淧eople wanted to know how we made it happen, how students are responding to it, and how they might implement similar approaches at their own institutions.鈥�

As universities across the country examine how to prepare educators for classrooms with an ever-growing range of needs, the discussion shows the role gifted education can play in helping teachers recognize talent, tailor instruction, and best support students with advanced learning needs. 

鈥淧re-service teachers come to us with a wide range of experiences and abilities, and all students deserve to be both challenged and supported,鈥� Pinneo said. 鈥淥ur graduates are leaving the program with more tools to support the different learning needs of their future students.鈥�

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Although she always knew she wanted to attend college, Eanes didn鈥檛 settle on her major until later in high school.

“After listening to a particularly encouraging and supportive English teacher, I decided I wanted to major in English and specifically focus on creative writing,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檝e always enjoyed my English classes, and I used to write 鈥榖ooks鈥� when I was a kid, as well as being an avid reader.鈥�

As a member of the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program, Eanes attended college full-time while working throughout her four years. Balancing coursework, work, and extracurricular opportunities required persistence, but the effort paid off.

“I think it can be particularly challenging to take Donaghey classes alongside my degree, while making room for a semester of study abroad, extracurriculars, and working,” she said. “Although there were times when I had my doubts, coming away with a degree and a 4.0 makes all of the late nights, early mornings, and tears feel worth it.”

One of the most transformative experiences of her college career came during a semester abroad at the University of Nottingham in England.

“I had never been away from home more than a week, never been out of the country, and never even been on a plane,” she said. “But after I made a few friends and began to get used to my life there, it became the most valuable experience I鈥檝e ever had. I learned how to be truly independent and to create a social circle from scratch.”

Back on campus, Eanes continued developing her voice as a writer. Her work appeared in Equinox, where she served as managing editor, and The Oakland Arts Review. She also presented at the Arkansas and Mississippi Philological Association conferences.

“I think with every piece a young writer creates, there comes improvement,” she said. ” I certainly feel this way; every new piece I write turns out light years better than the last.”

Beyond academics, Eanes spent summers working at the Museum of Discovery, where she helped lead the Girls in STEM program and mentored pre-teen girls.

Mentors also played an important role in her success throughout college, including Dr. Simon Hawkins and Dr. Jessica R. Scott, director and associate director of the Donaghey Scholars program, respectively.

“Besides being engaging professors, they have helped me network, form my degree plan, and get the most out of study abroad and my scholarship in general,鈥� Eanes said. 鈥淚 also really appreciate Dr. (Earnest) Cox, Dr. (Kris) McAbee, and Professor (Jeffrey) Condran for their mentorship on my senior thesis. I鈥檝e had a lot of really amazing professors who don鈥檛 get enough credit for all they do.”

Professor Condran, a 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock creative writing instructor, praised Eanes鈥� continued development as a writer.

“Her fiction is focused on the Urban South and deeply character-driven,” he said. “All of Josie’s fictional people have such distinct and engaging voices that the reader can’t help but fall in love with them. . . I’m excited to watch her literary career develop 鈥� it’s going to be special.”

Eanes is now a third-generation 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock alum, continuing a family legacy that includes her parents, grandmother, and grandfather. 

She plans to take a gap year before pursuing graduate school. Reflecting on her college experience, Eanes said the journey shaped her both academically and personally.

“I hardly recognize the person who entered 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, and I鈥檓 so happy with how I鈥檝e grown as a person and student,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 am particularly grateful for my Donaghey scholarship, which has allowed me to graduate from college debt-free.”

As she looks ahead, Eanes offers simple advice to future students: “Be open to change because you never know how wonderful and exciting it can be.”

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The Dallas native graduated this month as a member of the Donaghey Scholars, an honors program that supports students through research, study abroad, and service opportunities while covering tuition, fees, and a stipend.

Bear opted to pursue music because 鈥渋t鈥檚 the only thing I really knew.鈥� But his college experience expanded far beyond the classroom. One of the defining moments of his time at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock came when he studied abroad.

鈥淕ot to study abroad for a semester in Sweden 鈥� that was life-changing,鈥� he said. “Puts a lot into perspective when a big fish finally leaves the small pond and realizes they’re not as big relative to the sea.”

Bear said the best thing about Sweden was the people, and he still keeps in contact with some of them. He also enjoyed having the freedom to 鈥済row with myself on my own terms. Unregimented. Unobserved. Free.鈥�

“I took a solo trip to Leipzig, and I got to sit in on a service at St. Thomas where the boys’ chorus that J.S. Bach once directed sang,鈥� he said, adding that he also traveled with friends to Gothenburg, Stockholm, and Malm枚. Their travels took them to a small ski town in Lapland, Finland, and even to the Norwegian Sea for a swim.

“Copenhagen was really accessible, so we went down there often, saw what there was to see (architecture, the sea, the people) and ate good food,” he said.

While Bear valued his musical training, theater ultimately became his greater passion.

鈥淚’ve been in a few plays, and that’s really fulfilling,鈥� he said. 鈥淗IR and Fairview are the stand-outs.鈥�

Bear said the best part of acting is the creative process.

鈥淵ou’re creating a person, and that’s a very delicate process,鈥� he said. 鈥淪tage partners need to trust one another unconditionally, so it’s such a wonderfully vulnerable moment.鈥�

Dr. Lawrence D. Smith taught Bear in Creative Arts II, Acting I, Script Analysis, and Theatre History II, and directed him in two plays. He described him as 鈥渟mart, driven, talented, and an accomplished singer and excellent actor.鈥�

Dr. Lorissa Mason, assistant professor of music and director of choral activities at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, praised Bear鈥檚 curiosity and determination.

Bear has 鈥渁 deep appreciation for literature and the written word,鈥� she said. 鈥淗is natural curiosity spans many subjects, fueled by a genuine eagerness to engage with the world around him. Driven and focused, he has the determination to excel in whatever career path he pursues.鈥�

Bear plans to move to Los Angeles to pursue acting.

“I’m going to do the starving actor thing for a while, see if there isn’t any work for me up in the big city,” he said.

While part of him wishes he had spent the last four years building a career, he said taking the college detour shaped his perspective and proved useful to him.  鈥漇tudying abroad, for example, was invaluable in that it taught me how to exist as a cog in a foreign machine, how to live in an ecosystem I don’t understand,鈥� he said.

As a member of the Donaghey Scholars Program, Bear said he also developed stronger critical thinking skills, which he calls invaluable. He added that he expects the lessons he learns after college will far exceed those he gained in the classroom.

鈥淣ow the real learning begins, as I start to build connections in a city that is foreign to me,鈥� he said.

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Hockaday earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and an Associate of Science in Law Enforcement.

鈥淕etting these degrees represents years of commitment, resilience, and personal and professional growth,鈥� he said. 鈥淔or me, this is about more than higher education 鈥� it represents perseverance, purpose, and my commitment to my family, my peers, and becoming more knowledgeable in how I serve others through my work.鈥�

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Hockaday鈥檚 early life took him across the country and overseas to Germany where he completed the majority of his high school years before finishing his studies back in the U.S. Inspired by his father 鈥� a retired Air Force veteran and police officer 鈥� he made the life-changing decision to serve his country and join the United States Navy, setting the stage for a career defined by his commitment to his community and country.

After completing his service, Hockaday sought out another way to serve and began his law enforcement career in Arkansas. He worked for the Jacksonville Police Department for 13 years before joining the Sherwood Police Department, where he continues to serve today.

Over the course of his 31-year law enforcement career, Hockaday has held a variety of roles, including detective, school resource officer, arson investigator, crime scene technician, field training officer, and state-certified law enforcement instructor. He currently serves as a school resource officer at Sylvan Hills High School, a role he said has had the greatest impact on him personally and professionally. 

鈥淏eing a school resource officer has had the biggest impact on me because I am able to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the public,鈥� Hockaday said. 鈥淚 hope I鈥檓 able to inspire the students at my school because they inspire me. They have inspired me to be a better person, husband, father, and law enforcement officer.鈥�

Family has been a steady source of strength throughout Hockaday鈥檚 journey. He and his wife have been married for 30 years and are the parents of a 16-year-old son. He said their support carried him through the demands of his career, education, and personal challenges. His commitment to service was shaped by his father, whose example influenced both his military and law enforcement careers. In his final year of study, Hockaday also faced the loss of his father following a battle with Parkinson鈥檚 disease linked to Agent Orange exposure during service in South Vietnam. Before his passing, his father encouraged him to complete his degree鈥攁 promise Hockaday kept.

鈥淚t was hard, I almost quit school. My mother and wife both told me to press on, and that is what my dad would want,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 also wanted to set an example for my son and to show him that when life is tough, you don鈥檛 quit, you persevere through it, and fight. That鈥檚 exactly what I did, and now I鈥檓 graduating with honors.鈥�

That drive carried into the classroom, where Hockaday鈥檚 decades of experience gave deeper meaning to his studies. He found value in classmates’ diverse viewpoints, new to criminal justice, and in meaningful discussions that broadened his perspective as both a student and an officer. Those same lessons have shaped the way he approaches his work as a school resource officer, where building trust and relationships with students has become one of the most rewarding aspects of his career.

鈥淔our years ago, a female student was complaining about police officers and saying that she didn鈥檛 like cops. I told her that I鈥檓 a cop, and she looked me dead in the eye and said, 鈥楬ockaday, you are one of us!鈥� Right then, I knew I was making a difference in these students’ lives. They did not see me as a police officer but as family and a person that they could depend on,鈥� said Hockaday.

Looking ahead, he hopes to use both his education and professional experience to help train future law enforcement officers, emphasizing empathy, integrity, and public trust. He wants recruits to understand the importance of protecting citizens鈥� rights, leading with compassion, and recognizing that every person鈥檚 story and circumstances are different.

鈥淎s a Black man, I saw an opportunity to be a solution and not the problem, just as my father was. Law enforcement became my way to continue his legacy,鈥� said Hockaday.

With two degrees in hand, Hockaday plans to continue his father鈥檚 legacy of service, continuing serving his community and now the next generation of law enforcement. Excited about this new stage of life, his goal remains the same: to lead with integrity and compassion, always comitted to making a positive impact on his community and country.

鈥淚 know my dad is looking down on me from heaven,鈥� he said, 鈥渟aying 鈥榃ell done son, I鈥檓 proud of you鈥�.鈥�

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