鈥淲e are happy to introduce Trojan Champions, a new initiative that underscores our unwavering commitment to student success,鈥� said Kristi Smith, associate vice chancellor for alumni and development. 鈥淲ith alumni engagement at an all-time high, this program opens doors for students to explore exciting opportunities at the next level.”

All Trojan Champions pledge to make an annual donation to the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Annual Fund for three years or more. Donations to the Annual Fund are unrestricted and can be used for a variety of opportunities to help students succeed.

鈥淚 became a Trojan Champion because I have benefited immensely from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and want to pay it forward,鈥� said Donovan Colclough, an alumnus who recently joined Trojan Champions. 鈥淚 live our mantra of 鈥楨xpect More鈥� out loud, especially as I look within and consider how I can help keep the path of success open for our future alumni.鈥�

Such funds could be used to establish a fund that enables 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students to showcase their talents at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall, participate in national competitions, or engage in academic competitions. A current example of a gift in action are custom blazers for real estate students provided by Paul Rainwater at Q Clothier. These students will be outfitted for success when they participate in an upcoming national real estate challenge.

鈥淎s a Trojan Champion, you have the chance to empower students in a manner that suits you best,鈥� said Laterika Tooks, director of annual giving. 鈥淲e have had an overwhelmingly positive response from alumni who want to play a role in championing our students. Having graduated from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, I recognize the significance of both on and off campus experiences, and this opportunity allows our alumni and friends to make a direct, positive impact on students benefiting from these unrestricted funds.”

With a focus on empowering the next generation of philanthropists, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock seeks to harness the collective generosity of its alumni community to pave the way for enhanced educational experiences and brighter futures for students from all walks of life. Trojan Champions represents a new opportunity for alumni to have an immediate impact on students.

鈥淚’ve wanted to find a consistent way to give to the university for a while, but no one ever talks about how intimidating giving can be when you already have the many financial obligations that come with raising a family, and you don’t have tens of thousands of dollars to spare,鈥� Trojan Champion Guy Choate said. 鈥淭he Trojan Champions Program gives me a responsible entry point that can still make an impact at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.鈥�

New Trojan Champion Becky Flynn, director of development for the Women鈥檚 Foundation of Arkansas, said it was important for her to become a Trojan Champion to support student success at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

鈥淭his is a chance to donate directly to opportunities that create that success,鈥� Flynn said. 鈥淚t is my hope that 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students are provided every opportunity to excel, inside and outside of the classroom. Knowing that this fund supports growth and development for current and future Trojans is what made me want to support the program. I appreciate 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock for continuing to find innovative ways to advance students!”

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock has a goal of welcoming the first 100 Trojan Champions by June 30, 2025. The generous contributions from these and future Trojan Champions is set to make a lasting impact by empowering students to build their dreams and construct a brighter future for themselves and their communities. This program is a part of the Centennial Campaign, which has a goal to raise $250 million in celebration of the university鈥檚 100-year anniversary in 2027.

For more information on how to become a Trojan Champion, or contact Tooks at lstooks@ualr.edu or 501-916-6439.

The post Empowering Futures: 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Launches Innovative Initiative to Boost Donations for Student Opportunities appeared first on News.

The new members are Stephanie Caruthers, a partner in Trio鈥檚 restaurant; Guy Choate, a communications leader at Garver; Sam Dunkum, a client relationship associate at Stephens Inc.; Gerald Gregory, an executive and co-owner of Garrett Excavating; Audra Hinton, a director at Shorter College; Tania Chevez Martinez, who has worked in the hospitality industry; and Antonio Mosby, a fire captain at the Little Rock Fire Department.

All of the board members are 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock alumni who will serve a three-year term as of Jan. 1, 2023. More information about the board members:

As a partner in Trio鈥檚, Stephanie Caruthers helps oversee daily operations of one of Central Arkansas鈥檚 most notable award-winning restaurants. She graduated from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in international studies and a minor in French. Caruthers also serves on the Donaghey Scholars Alumni Board and is a member of Tri Delta Sorority. She has previously served on the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Alumni Board of Directors and as chair/co-chair of two Taste of Little Rock events.

Guy Choate is the creative communications leader at Garver. The Beebe, Arkansas native earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in rhetoric and writing with a minor in journalism from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and a Master of Fine Arts in creative nonfiction writing from the University of New Orleans. He earned a Pushcart Prize nomination for his nonfiction writing. Choate is the founder of the Argenta Reading Series, a nonprofit organization that encourages the literary arts in Arkansas. He is a graduate of Leadership Greater Little Rock and has been appointed to serve on the city鈥檚 Arts & Culture Commission.

Sam Dunkum works as a client relationship associate in the Private Client Group at Stephens Inc. and is in training to become a financial consultant. Dunkum played basketball at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and graduated with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in applied communications. He will graduate from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in December with a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in business analytics. Dunkum is a member of Fellowship Bible Church 鈥� Midtown.

Gerald Gregory is the chief operations officer and co-owner of Garrett Excavating, Inc. He has been instrumental in the acquisition and construction of almost $400 million worth of construction projects throughout his career. He is a board member of Associated Builders and Contractors and a member of Kappa Alpha Phi Fraternity, Inc. He and his wife are passionate about giving back to the community. They annually support a bike and toy drive for The Watershed Human and Community Development Agency, Inc. Their company, Songbyrd Enterprise, LLC, builds affordable housing in underserved communities.

Audra Hinton, of Little Rock, is originally from Crossett, Arkansas. She graduated from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in finance and obtained a MBA from Webster University. With over 20 years of experience in financial aid, she is currently the director of enrollment management at Shorter College. Her emphasis is in managing the areas of financial aid, admissions and recruitment, registrar, and re-entry supportive services. Hinton is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and has previously held leadership positions in the sorority. She is a life member of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Alumni Association.

Tania Martinez was born and raised in Mexico City. She came to the United States to pursue an MBA in order to further her career in hospitality and tourism management. She previously obtained her bachelor鈥檚 degree in hospitality and tourism management from Escuela Bancaria y Comercial/VATEL. Martinez has worked in the hospitality field in Europe, French Polynesia, Mexico, and the U.S. In Arkansas, she worked in the hospitality industry, the diplomatic public sector, and private banking. She received her MBA with a concentration in business analytics from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

Born and raised in Little Rock, Antonio Mosby attended Philander Smith College and 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock where he earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in health science with a minor in health promotion. He is a fire captain at the Little Rock Fire Department and serves as a fire marshal with the Fire Prevention and Investigations Bureau. Mosby is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and has served in leadership roles in the fraternity. He is one of the youngest Southwestern Province Lifetime Achievement Awardees and was awarded the Theta Epsilon Chapter Lifetime Achievement Award. Mosby currently serves on the Diamond Foundation Board and previously served on the board for the Pulaski County Youth Services.

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