About 85 percent of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock graduates stay in Central Arkansas after earning their degrees, working in industries such as healthcare, finance, law, government, and nonprofit leadership.

鈥淭his committee reflects a growing partnership between 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and the organizations where our graduates are making an impact,鈥� said Christian O鈥橬eal, vice chancellor for advancement. 鈥淲hen you look across this list of companies and institutions, you see many of the places where our alumni are building their careers and strengthening the Central Arkansas community.鈥�

Taste of Little Rock is the university鈥檚 signature alumni event, bringing together community leaders, alumni, and supporters to celebrate the impact of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock while raising support for student scholarships and initiatives that help future Trojans succeed.

For Kristi Smith, associate vice chancellor for alumni and development, the makeup of the committee reflects the reach of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock graduates throughout the region.

鈥溙切腣log传媒 Little Rock alumni are deeply connected to this community,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淵ou see Trojans working and leading in hospitals, banks, law firms, government agencies, and nonprofits across the state. It鈥檚 exciting to see so many of those organizations represented on this committee as we come together to support the university and its students.鈥�

2026 Taste of Little Rock Host Committee

• Cheryl Avants, Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield (retired)
• Nate Coulter, Mitchell Williams
• Jamie Ewing, Arkansas Department of Human Services
• Jake Fair, Wright Lindsey Jennings
• Cameron Fuller, Simmons Bank
• Sarah Giammo, Friday, Eldredge & Clark聽
• Paul Isbell, Southwest Power Pool
• Cortney Kennedy, Office of the Governor, State of Arkansas
• Summer Khairi, 糖心Vlog传媒MS
• Sheena Olson, Arkansas Children鈥檚 Hospital
• Alfreda Summons, Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Faith Thomas, Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Carrie Perry, Little Rock School District
• Rodney Abston, Regions Bank
• Stephanie Caruthers, Trio鈥檚 Restaurant
• Guy Choate, Arkansas Realtors Association
• Donavon Colclough, Entergy
• Telethe Collins, Make-A-Wish Mid-South
• Loris Fullerton, retired
• Jimmy Harris, Bowen School of Law alumnus
• Jamie Middleton, Immerse Arkansas
• Staci Miller, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
• Carson Seelinger, CARTI
• Karen Witt, JPMorgan Chase
• Eric Yarberry, World Services for the Blind

Now in its 21st year, Taste of Little Rock has become one of the university鈥檚 most anticipated alumni events. The event brings together hundreds of guests and dozens of local restaurants for an evening celebrating Little Rock鈥檚 food scene and raising money for scholarships. 

Proceeds from the event support scholarships through the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Alumni Association, helping students stay on track to complete their degrees and pursue their careers in Central Arkansas.

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The new members bring a wealth of experience in business, technology, and community service. They include Amber Booth-McCoy, chief executive officer of The Diversity Booth, Inc.; Aaron Huntley, senior vice president and head of strategy for First Western Bank; Arlton Lowry, founding partner and chief creative officer at Few; and Sharmin Moody, field manager for Volante Systems.

鈥淲e are thrilled to welcome these accomplished alumni to our board,鈥� said Kristi Smith, associate vice chancellor for alumni and development at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淭heir diverse expertise and deep ties to the community will be invaluable as we work to strengthen alumni engagement and support the university鈥檚 mission.鈥�

In addition to the new board members, Guy Choate, creative communications leader for Garver, has been elected as the new president of the Alumni Board of Directors.

“Serving on the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Alumni Board has given me a front-row seat to the incredible things happening at the university,鈥� Choate said. 鈥淚’m humbled to serve as president to this talented and inspiring board of alumni who know that the success of our students and the institution itself is integral to the success of central Arkansas and beyond. Go Trojans.”

All new board members are 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock alumni who are serving a three-year term from 2025 to 2028. More information on the new board members:

Booth-McCoy (鈥�13) is the founder and CEO of The Diversity Booth, Inc., an organization dedicated to co-creating sustainable, measurable, and inclusive cultures. With a decade of experience in culture change, higher education, academic medicine, and healthcare, she also serves as an adjunct faculty member at the Clinton School of Public Service. A two-time published author and TEDx speaker, Booth-McCoy is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Alpha Rho Omega Chapter.

Huntley (鈥�02) is a business leader with extensive experience in finance and workforce development. As senior vice president and head of strategy for First Western Bank in Rogers, Arkansas, he has played a key role in economic initiatives across the state. Huntley is also an elected member of the Springdale City Council and serves as finance chair for the Arkansas Children鈥檚 Hospital Northwest Auxiliary Board. His dedication to education and financial literacy is evident through his mentorship roles and involvement with workforce development programs. He has been honored as a Northwest Arkansas 40 under 40 designee and is a graduate of Leadership Springdale, Leadership Arkansas, and the FBI Citizens Academy.

Lowry (鈥�08) is the Founding Partner and Chief Creative Officer of Few, a digital product agency that has worked with major brands such as General Electric, IBM, Tyson, and Walmart. He has played an integral role in building and advising several startups and has shared his expertise by teaching web design at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. In addition to his contributions to the tech industry, Lowry has a passion for community development. He serves on the boards of the Downtown Little Rock Partnership and SoMa 501.

Moody (鈥�06) is a field manager for Volante Systems, a hospitality and restaurant point-of-sale software company. She has a strong commitment to community service, demonstrated through her involvement with organizations such as the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund, the Little Rock Zoo Board of Governors, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and the Conway Morning Rotary Club. Moody holds both a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

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鈥淭he celebration we hosted on campus was spectacular and drew visitors locally and from around the country,鈥� Chancellor Christina Drale said. 鈥淭he educational programs and displays showcased the academic talent we have on campus, and all of the volunteers helped make this an all-around fun event for everyone.鈥�

More than 200 volunteers helped the event become a huge success! The event was planned for many months by the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Eclipse Committee, comprised of Ann Bain, Carrie Phillips, Gregory Guisbiers, Alicia Dorn, Aaron Birmingham, Angie Faller, Brian Berry, Justin Early, Kara Brown, Katina White, Larry Whitman, Leslie Hutchins, Meaghan Milliorn, Muriel Schrepfer, Ross Bradley, Regina Wade-Carter, Sarah Beth Estes, Sadie Lea, Tom Clifton, Toni Boyer, Tansel Karabacak, and Cody Decker.

The solar eclipse event helped spread word about 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and its experts far and wide. Stories in the media generated 3.5 billion media impressions and 320 media alerts!

“It is my second time watching a total solar eclipse, but the magic still operates like the very first time! It is an incredible feeling of satisfaction to be able to watch this celestial show!鈥� said Dr. Gregory Guisbiers, associate professor of physics at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

Amidst a backdrop of celestial splendor, participants gathered at the Jack Stephens Center to witness this rare astronomical phenomenon, forging unforgettable memories and fostering a sense of unity and awe.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an amazing event,鈥� said Dr. David Montague, associate vice chancellor for student affairs 鈥� student success. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so nice to see people here enjoying this experience and learning so many things. The energy today is very special indeed.鈥�

As the sun vanished behind the moon for nearly two-and-a-half minutes, the campus buzzed with excitement and scientific curiosity, marking a momentous occasion that will be cherished for years to come.

鈥淎 lot of people missed seeing a total solar eclipse that took place in the western United States seven years ago, but lots of people had access to this total solar eclipse and didn鈥檛 have to travel as far to see it,鈥� said Dr. Miles Blanton, advanced instructor of physics and astronomy. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a novel event, and it’s so predictable. That鈥檚 what surprises a lot of people. You can predict it down to the minute. It feels like you are in control when we are not in control of so much of the natural world.鈥�

As the solar eclipse drew near, the crowd grew silent as the music stopped, the temperature fell, and a breeze could be felt in the air. As total darkness fell at 1:51 p.m., members of the crowd cheered, gasped, and cried as they witnessed the celestial event.

鈥淚t was so awesome to be here in this breathtaking moment,鈥� Kristi Smith, associate vice chancellor of alumni and development, said after watching the eclipse. 鈥淲e had the perfect weather, and all the stars aligned for this amazing event. It is so wonderful that our university brought together so many people to have such a great event for the community.鈥�

The community event brought together a wonderful mix of the arts and the sciences. 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock provided observation sessions with telescopes, an inflatable planetarium, a Foucault鈥檚 pendulum, Cavendish鈥檚 balance, gravity well, and meteorites on display. The Arkansas Space Grant Consortium provided 30,000 pairs of complementary solar eclipse glasses.

鈥淚鈥檓 a kid on the inside, and I came here to experience the solar eclipse,鈥� said Joshua Pack, a junior double majoring in chemistry and biology. 鈥淚 was surprised by the amount of stuff to do at the event. I don鈥檛 travel a lot, so this was a unique opportunity to see the solar eclipse in my hometown.鈥�

Employees and students from the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education had more than 30 people volunteer as face painters. Students designed a custom face painting template and solar eclipse sticker.

In one of many scientific demonstrations on display, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Emerging Analytics Center created a special virtual reality experience, Total Solar Eclipse VR 2024. The project was put together by students Carlos Ochoa, Cecily Mobley, Ashlly Lambaren, Colin McNerny, and Eric Helms with guidance from Jason Zak, lead artist, and Wesley Ferguson, research associate.

鈥淭he VR app we made takes you into space, where you can see the perspective of the total solar eclipse from a completely new angle,鈥� said Colin NcNerny, a senior electronic and computer engineering major. 鈥淵ou can鈥檛 look directly at the Sun in real life without it hurting your eyes. In virtual space, you can look at the sun in great detail. We also created a Snapchat filter which shows the user wearing solar eclipse glasses, and you can see the eclipse reflected in the lenses.鈥�

Visitors traveled from near and far to take part in the day鈥檚 events.

鈥淢y son wants to be an astrophysicist, so Little Rock was a close drive to spark the imagination of our future generation,鈥� said Danielle Hart, who drove from Huntsville, Alabama, to watch the eclipse with her family at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淚t was so absolutely incredible. That moment when the sky goes dark and the crowd cheers, it鈥檚 a very magical moment.鈥�

The solar eclipse celebration was sponsored by the Donaghey Foundation, Arkansas Space Grant Consortium, and the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.

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糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 highly anticipated culinary and social event will take place from 6-8 p.m. at the Jack Stephens Center. The event annually raises more than $100,000 for the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Alumni Association Scholarship Fund while introducing guests to some of the best food in the city from the finest restaurants in Little Rock.

Guests will be able to enjoy great food and refreshments from nearly 40 amazing local restaurants, including Afrobites, Andy鈥檚, Baldwin鈥檚 BBQ, Bawarchi Indian Cuisine, Big Bad Breakfast, CBRz Catering, Ceci鈥檚 Chicken & Waffles, Certified Pies, Chef MaryAnn鈥檚, Chicken Salad Chick, City Silo, Community Bakery, Count Porkula, Delicious Temptations, Doe鈥檚 Eat Place, Eat My Catfish, The Grind, Faded Rose, Fazoli鈥檚, LePops, Loblolly, Newk鈥檚 Eatery, Platnum BBQ, SAPS Creole Cuisine, Sarge鈥檚 Famous Pickles, Smackey鈥檚, Sullivan鈥檚 Steakhouse, Tacos Godoy, Taj Mahal Indian Cuisine, Taste of Goodlyfe, Tea Anytime, Terri Lynn鈥檚 BBQ, Trio鈥檚, UnWine Pastries, Waldo鈥檚 Chicken and Beer, Whole Hog Caf茅, Wright鈥檚 BBQ, and The XPerience Kitchen and Lounge.

鈥淭aste of Little Rock not only celebrates our wonderful restaurant community, but also serves as a powerful catalyst for providing life-changing scholarships to our deserving students,鈥� said Kristi Smith, associate vice chancellor for alumni and development. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a testament to the incredible generosity of our community and their unwavering commitment to supporting the next generation of leaders and scholars.鈥�

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is also thankful to all the amazing sponsors who are helping to support 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and its students! The 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Alumni Board of Directors are serving as a gold sponsor, while the silver sponsors include Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Entergy, Stephanie and Brooks Caruthers, Klassik Entertainment, Loris and Jay Fullerton, Lost Forty, Mays, Byrd & O鈥橤uinn, PLLC, Natural State Private Wealth Management, TMB Capital Partners, Simmons Bank, Songbyrd Development Enterprises, LLC, Southern Glazer鈥檚, and USAble Life.

This year鈥檚 event will feature , a well-known Arkansas radio personality who is celebrated for his good works towards his alma mater, as the 2024 Taste of Little Rock Honoree for his lifetime of support of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. Rowan serves as the assistant program director of Power 92 – Little Rock, the host of the No. 1 rated afternoon drive show in Arkansas, 鈥淭ake it to the House,鈥� and the creator and host of the podcast, 鈥淭hrough My Two Blue.鈥�

Once supported by a scholarship from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Rowan has continuously and generously invested in education through his longtime endowed scholarship program for mass communication students at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. The money is raised on Labor Day weekend with his award-winning “TreDay.com Charity Classic,” which consists of a tennis tournament, a celebrity party, and his locally famous silent auction.

鈥淏eing named the 2024 Taste of Little Rock Honoree is quite surreal,鈥� Rowan said. 鈥淎s an attendee of past Taste of Little Rock events, I have always looked up to the honorees. To now be included among them is very humbling, and my heart is filled with gratitude. I annually highlight Taste of Little Rock on my calendar as it neatly combines two things I love, food and, of course, giving back to Little Rock. It’s the perfect combination and extremely appropriate as I have always viewed the importance of investing in higher education not as getting students full of knowledge but rather making them always hungry for more.鈥�

General admission tickets for Taste of Little Rock are $75, while tickets for 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock faculty and staff, alumni association lifetime members, and graduates within the last five years are $35. Guests will not receive printed tickets, but will be checked in at the beginning of the event. Purchase your tickets at .

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The new members include Donavon Colclough, supervisor of safety with Entergy Arkansas; Cameron Fuller, commercial banker with Simmons Bank; Grady McCorkle, director of workforce planning for Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield; Bethany Siems, director of strategy at Ghidotti; and Alfreda Summons, data analyst lead at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

“We are thrilled to welcome our newest members to the Alumni Board of Directors and express our deepest gratitude for their dedication and commitment to our alma mater,鈥� said Kristi Smith, associate vice chancellor for alumni and development. 鈥淭heir invaluable contributions will undoubtedly enrich our university community and help shape the future of our institution.”

All new board members are 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock alumni who are serving a three-year term from 2024 to 2027. More information on the new board members:

Cameron Fuller works as a commercial banker at Simmons Bank, where he helps customers fulfill financial needs such as financing, treasury management solutions, business credit cards, wealth management, point of sale solutions, 401k plans, and health insurance plans. Fuller graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 2021.

鈥淚 am involved with a handful of local nonprofit organizations within the community and am so grateful to be a part of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Alumni Board of Directors,鈥� Fuller said.鈥� I鈥檓 so excited to be a part of this board and can鈥檛 wait to contribute to my alma mater.鈥�

Donovan Colclough serves as supervisor of safety at Entergy Arkansas, having begun his career in 2006 as an apprentice lineman. Donovan has been married to his college sweetheart, Dr. Crystal Colclough, for 17 years, and they have four children. Driven by a desire to set an example for his children and complete his education, Donavon returned to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock as a nontraditional student in 2017, graduating magna cum laude with a bachelor鈥檚 degree of applied science in 2021.

Grady McCorkle works as the director of workforce planning at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield. In this role, he is responsible for aligning the organization’s talent strategy with its business goals and objectives. He leads a team of professionals who provide expertise in workforce planning, performance management, employee engagement surveys, organizational change management, Workday strategy, and talent acquisition.

A graduate of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 MBA program, McCorkle co-founded the Central Arkansas Leadership Development Forum, a network of high-caliber peers who share best practices and insights and sits on the board for Life Skills for Youth and the Bedford Falls Project.

Bethany Siems serves as the director of strategy at Ghidotti, a Little Rock-based public relations and content marketing agency, where she leads strategic communications ensuring that client messaging aligns with their core mission and moves them closer to achieving their goals. She has more than 15 years of experience in public relations, promotions, events planning and creative campaign management.

Siems graduated cum laude from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in business communication with an emphasis in advertising and public relations. Following graduation in 2005, she spent nearly four years as a project manager and team lead for one of Little Rock鈥檚 largest advertising agencies, supporting various national and regional clients. She also worked for an 80-year-old architectural firm learning the ins and outs of new business development before landing at a popular lifestyle shopping center as marketing director for nearly eight years before joining Ghidotti. Siems recently served as the vice president of the Arkansas Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.

Alfreda Summons is a data analyst lead at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield with over 15 years of experience, specializing in data management. She is a proud graduate of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock with a degree in computer information systems. When she鈥檚 not working, Summons loves to help people and spends countless hours volunteering at many events at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, her church, and throughout Little Rock.

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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.

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This resounding success not only showcases the collective spirit that defines the university but also highlights the enduring commitment of its community to invest in the institution’s mission and future.

鈥淭his accomplishment is a testament to the dedication and generosity of our campus community,鈥� said Dr. Aresh Assadi, director of Counseling Services and chair of the Campus Campaign. 鈥淩eaching this participation level is not only a numerical success but also speaks to the sense of unity and commitment among our employees. I believe that boosting internal participation is crucial as it positively impacts our external fundraising efforts, creating a strong foundation for the university’s growth and development.鈥�

Reaching this goal speaks to the shared belief in the transformative power of education and the collective impact of small acts of giving. Altogether, nearly 350 university employees donated to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock during 2023.

“The spirited engagement of our dedicated faculty and staff in the Campus Campaign goes beyond monetary contributions,鈥� said Christian O鈥橬eal, vice chancellor for university advancement. 鈥淭his wholehearted internal support significantly fortifies our university’s standing as we approach external donors for major gifts. It communicates a compelling message 鈥� that those intimately connected to the university are wholeheartedly committed to its mission. This collective investment not only enhances our credibility but also amplifies our appeal when seeking external funds. I want to extend my sincere gratitude to the staff, faculty, and administrators who played instrumental roles in organizing this year’s campaign. With the capable assistance of Laterika Tooks and Kristi Smith, it became a total team effort. Witnessing such collaboration makes me immensely proud to be a Trojan.”

The university owes a special thanks to the dedicated employees who helped lead the Campus Campaign effort across campus. Campus Campaign Steering Committee members included Assadi, Mark Baillie, Shelia Brooks, Sikia Brown, Jessie Burchfield, Anthony Buttrum, Katrina Christopher, Reed Claiborne, Shannon Collier-Tenison, andre cummings, Joe Felan, Tyler Harrison, Carrie Phillips, Derek Slagle, Judy Staley, Joanne Matson, Brandy Dixon, and Emily Bell.

Campus Campaign Ambassadors included Katie Helms, Dawn Johnson, Sadie Lea, Monica Meadows, Leisa Myles, Vanessa Whitman, Angela Willis, April Chatham-Capenter, Mercades Parker, Bobbie Handcock, Salina Ables, Reteisha Byrd, Morgan Leyenberger, Mohammad Goodarzi, Keith Harris, Mary French, Rachel Mercado, Belinda Nix, Cynthia Dedner, Al Baker, Jennifer Lampkin, Anne Turner, Grace Zafasi, and Mary Tillman.

鈥淭he dedication of our Steering Committee and Campus Ambassadors was evident throughout the campus, and I had the opportunity to observe the effort they invested behind the scenes,鈥� said Laterika Tooks, director of annual giving at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淚 feel fortunate to collaborate with numerous faculty and staff members who are enthusiastic about their roles and committed to the development and achievement of this university.鈥�

A total of 18 campus departments achieved 100 percent giving in 2023, which is 50 percent more than 2022.

Those departments include Alumni and Development, Applied Communication, the Bursar鈥檚 Office, the Chancellor鈥檚 Office, Concurrent Enrollment, Counseling Services, Disability Resource Center, Financial Aid and Scholarships, Financial Services, Institute of Chief Data Officers, Mail Services, Marketing and Communications, Office of Military Student Success, Sequoyah National Research Center, Study Abroad, Student Retention Initiatives, Testing and Student Life Research, and the Trojan Transition and Assistance Center.

Bobbie Handcock, a web content specialist who served as a campus ambassador, said that she likes to donate to causes like the Trojan Food Pantry or to help buy caps and gowns for graduating students.

鈥淚 work at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, and I鈥檓 also a graduate student,鈥� Handcock said. 鈥淚鈥檝e been able to see things from a student鈥檚 perspective and talk with my classmates about challenges that they may face. I know how important it is to have support 鈥� both financially and academically. The Campus Campaign generates funds to help students succeed and reach their goals.鈥�

As a campus campaign ambassador, Handcock explained how a gift to the university is an investment in future leaders, innovators, and professionals.

鈥淏y donating, you can help provide scholarships, financial aid, and resources to students who might not otherwise have the means to pursue a college education,鈥� Handcock said. 鈥淏y contributing, you can help feed someone who is hungry or clothe someone who needs business attire for a job interview. I shared ways that they could support the campaign, including purchasing a legacy brick, giving to an area that means the most to them or giving a gift-in-kind such as to the Trojan Career Closet. I encouraged them to remember that it doesn鈥檛 matter what you give, as long as you give.鈥�

The gifts are a part of the Centennial Campaign, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 fundraising campaign to raise $250 million in celebration of the university鈥檚 100-year anniversary in 2027. The Campus Campaign was part of a cumulative fundraising year that netted more than $22 million for 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. Visit to learn more about the Centennial Campaign.

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鈥淏eing named the 2024 Taste of Little Rock Honoree is quite surreal,鈥� Rowan said. 鈥淎s an attendee of past Taste of Little Rock events, I have always looked up to the honorees. To now be included among them is very humbling, and my heart is filled with gratitude. I annually highlight Taste of Little Rock on my calendar as it neatly combines two things I love, food and, of course, giving back to Little Rock. It’s the perfect combination and extremely appropriate as I have always viewed the importance of investing in higher education not as getting students full of knowledge but rather making them always hungry for more.鈥�

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 highly anticipated culinary and social event, Taste of Little Rock, is set for Tuesday, April 2, 2024, from 6-8 p.m. at the Jack Stephens Center. The event annually raises more than $100,000 for the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Alumni Association Scholarship Fund while introducing guests to some of the best food in the city from the finest restaurants in Little Rock.

The event鈥檚 honoree has a passion for his alma mater and has a long history of providing support for students at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

鈥淥ur honoree is not just a familiar voice on the airwaves but a familiar symbol of community spirit and support for 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock,鈥� said Kristi Smith, associate vice chancellor for alumni and development. 鈥淭ime and again, Tre鈥� Day has unselfishly utilized his time and talents to support student scholarships, professional development, and equipment at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. We are so happy to honor Tre鈥� Day as the 2024 Taste of Little Rock honoree, a shining example of the profound impact one person can have.鈥�

Education has always been important to Rowan, who graduated from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in mass communication in 2000 with a 4.0 GPA. Once supported by a scholarship from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, he has continuously and generously invested in education through his longtime endowed scholarship program for mass communication students at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. The money is raised on Labor Day weekend with his award-winning “TreDay.com Charity Classic,” which consists of a tennis tournament, a celebrity party, and his locally famous silent auction.

Additionally, Rowan has also donated the equipment for two new audio production studios at the university, is a two-time recipient of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Meritorious Service Award, is a lifetime member of the Alumni Association, and serves on the School of Mass Communication Board of Directors. His service also includes serving as a guest speaker to mass communication classes every semester, hosting tours of campus with international delegations, producing commercials, speaking with high school students about the benefits of attending 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, and doing live broadcasts with the university鈥檚 TRIO programs.

Rowan鈥檚 professors in the School of Mass Communication praise him as an outstanding graduate who has done so much to support and inspire 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 students.

鈥淚t鈥檚 wonderful to see Tre鈥� Day honored in this way,鈥� said Dr. Jamie Bryne-McCollum, professor and undergraduate program coordinator. 鈥淗e is a fiercely loyal alum of the School of Mass Communication and has done everything he can to support the school and its students. He has hosted numerous interns over the years at Power 92, and he has endowed a scholarship that will continue to provide opportunities for students to complete their education with us. Tre truly believes in paying it forward. He speaks to students in our classes and is a great representative of the school in the larger community. On top of everything else, he is a wonderful husband, father, and friend.鈥�

鈥淗e is truly deserving because of his commitment not only to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock but specifically to the School of Mass Communication,鈥� said Dr. Tim Edwards, professor of mass communication. 鈥淗e is the personification of the engaged alum. When I call on him to speak to a class or to present his scholarship during our annual awards ceremony, he always delivers. I think students who engage with him come away inspired because of what he has been able to accomplish after leaving 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. Giving back is a part of his DNA.”

Rowan began his radio career in 1996 right out of high school. The name of his popular radio personality was given to him by his basketball teammates after hitting nine three-pointers in a single game. While a full-time student at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, he worked his way up from an internship to a popular host at KIPR 92.3 FM. He worked as the music and production assistant for KIPR and KOKY from 1998-2002. Currently, Rowan is the assistant program director of Power 92 – Little Rock, the host of the No. 1 rated afternoon drive show in Arkansas, 鈥淭ake it to the House,鈥� and the creator and host of the podcast, 鈥淭hrough My Two Blue.鈥�

General admission tickets for Taste of Little Rock are $75, while tickets for 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock faculty and staff, alumni association lifetime members, and graduates within the last five years are $35.

For sponsorship or ticket information, please contact the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Alumni Association at alumni@ualr.edu or 501-916-6438.

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The university recognized Oscar Horton and Bill Mathis, Jr. as the winners of the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award as well as Stephanie Caruthers and Nancy Secen as the winners of the Presidents Award. The ceremony also honored Ahad Nadeem, a spring graduate who was named the winner of the 2023 Edward L. Whitbeck Memorial Award, which honors the top graduating senior of the year.

“The achievements of Distinguished Alumnus and Presidents Award winners are a testament to the transformative power of education and the unwavering dedication that defines our outstanding alumni,鈥� said Kristi Smith, associate vice chancellor for alumni and development. 鈥淓ach of our amazing award winners has not only excelled in their respective fields but also epitomized the values and excellence that 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock stands for by serving as pillars in the community. They inspire us all to aim higher, give back, and continue the legacy of shaping a better world.”

The 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Alumni Association annually awards the Distinguished Alumnus Award to a Little Rock Junior College, Little Rock University, or 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock alumnus. The award is reserved for individuals who have achieved extraordinary distinction in their chosen field and made special contributions to the community.

The Presidents Award was established to recognize 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock graduates who achieved success in their career, donated time and talents to their community, and remained in touch with their alma mater as a volunteer and resource person.

More information about the honorees:

Oscar Horton serves as chairman and CEO of Horton Holdings, LLC, which owns and manages the operations of its subsidiaries Sun State International, Sun State Real Estate, and the Horton family office. He is a member of the Tampa Bay Business Hall of Fame and was most recently named one of Tampa Bay鈥檚 Top 100 Most Powerful Business Leaders.

Horton credited 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock with helping him build confidence, giving him a great education, and teaching him the business of perseverance.

鈥淚 learned the importance of looking someone in the eye when you talk to them, giving a firm handshake, and that charisma is probably the biggest thing you can have in the business world,鈥� Horton said. 鈥淭hey also taught me a good dose of common sense.鈥�

After graduating from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Horton began his career as a sales representative for the International Truck & Engine鈥檚 financial corporation. He served as vice president and general manager of the company鈥檚 Foundry Business, a multi-million-dollar business with approximately 1,500 employees.

After an illustrious 25-year career with International Truck & Engine Corporation, he left to become president and CEO of Sun State International. During his presidency, the company increased its revenue seven-fold and improved its profitability, employee morale, and customer satisfaction. This turn-around helped Sun State secure the 2020 Dealer of the Year Award from the American Truck Dealers.

Bill Mathis, Jr. graduated from Horace Mann High School and earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree in psychology from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. One of his fondest memories was his psychology professor and mentor Dr. Louis Woods.

鈥淚 learned from Dr. Louis Woods, and he told me to seek excellence in everything that I do,鈥� Mathis said. 鈥淗e taught psychology with a statistical perspective that I have used throughout my career. Because of the education I received here, I was able to retire at the age of 60. My wife Lisa and I have established a scholarship fund here at 糖心Vlog传媒LR. My family and I seek excellence in everything we do, and we encourage everyone to do the same.鈥�

Mathis has more than 25 years of executive experience in business development and sales management in the financial services industry, with a demonstrated track record in building and leading high-performance teams. He retired in 2009 as executive vice president of MasterCard International, where he led a team of 150 employees responsible for delivering 60 percent of the organization鈥檚 U.S. region revenue. In 2005, Mathis was honored as MasterCard’s inaugural Coach of the Year, which signifies sales and team development leadership. Prior to joining MasterCard International, he served as senior vice president with the vendor financial services unit at GE Capital.

He has also been active in the community, serving on several boards. He previously served on the Board of Directors of Goldleaf Financial Solutions, Inc.; the Board of Directors for First Tee of Metropolitan New York; and the Junior Achievement International Board, where he sat on the Executive Committee and the Lead Brand Effectiveness Committee. Mathis previously served as co-chair of the MasterCard Diversity Committee, as well as the Political Action Committee and Pension Investment Committee.

Nancy Secen earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and graduated with honors from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Executive MBA program in 2001. She had a successful career of more than three decades working for Kimberly-Clark Corp. with positions in Conway, Maumelle, and Wisconsin.

A lifetime member of the Alumni Association, she joined the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Alumni Board of Directors in 2005, jumping at the opportunity to give back to the university that gave her such a positive educational experience.

鈥淥ne of the best parts of being a board member was talking to the students who were interviewed as part of the scholarship selection process,鈥� Secen said. 鈥溙切腣log传媒 Little Rock has many deserving students who need financial support to complete their studies. It was inspiring to meet and speak with the talented and impressive students who were working toward degrees they planned to use to improve their lives and the lives of others.鈥�

She has served on the Scholarship Committee for 15 years, serving four terms as committee chair, and has helped to strengthen and streamline the scholarship interview process. Her work on the Scholarship Committee sounded the alarm for the need for more scholarships. Her diligence laid the foundation for Taste of Little Rock, the university’s largest scholarship fundraiser now in its 18th year.

鈥淪he led the scholarship program better than anyone could have imagined,鈥� said Christian O鈥橬eal, vice chancellor for university advancement. 鈥淣ancy鈥檚 work on the scholarship committee is the absolute embodiment of what the Presidents Award recognizes. She set the course for the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Scholarship program for the past 20 years.鈥�

Stephanie Caruthers is a partner in Trio鈥檚, one of Central Arkansas鈥檚 most notable, award-winning restaurants. She joined 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 1985 and graduated with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in international studies and a minor in French. She was a member of the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program, and a highlight of her college career was a 1987 summer abroad language and culture study in Strasbourg, France.

鈥淲hat an honor it is to receive this award,鈥� Caruthers said. 鈥淎s I reflect on this award, I wonder what brought me to this moment. One pivotal person that brought me here is the tenacity of Dr. Earl Ramsey (the first director of the Donaghey Scholars Honors  Program). He saw in me what I didn鈥檛 see in myself. Thank you for believing in me.鈥�

Caruthers began her career at Trio鈥檚 in 1987. She was part of a founding group of chefs and restaurateurs that spearheaded a Share Our Strength鈥檚 Taste of the Nation effort in Little Rock in the mid-1990s. The nationwide event began in the 1980s to mobilize restaurants and chefs to organize tasting events to raise awareness and funds for hunger-fighting nonprofit organizations. Share our Strength continues to fight childhood hunger with their No Kid Hungry campaign, and Trio鈥檚 continues to support their efforts through its involvement with the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance.

鈥淪he is so giving, so compassionate, and she鈥檚 been such a joy to work here,鈥� said Capi Peck, executive chef and owner of Trio鈥檚. 鈥淚 cannot imagine doing any of the work we do without her. I consider her not just a partner, but a friend. She loves Little Rock, and she loves the community. I hope that other 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock people follow her lead and continue to give back in the way that Stephanie has for the past 36 or so years.鈥�

This year, Caruthers began her third term on the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Board of Directors. President Heide Harrell dubbed Caruthers as the 鈥淨ueen of the Taste of Little Rock,鈥� 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 highly anticipated annual culinary and social event. Trio鈥檚 is one of the Taste of Little Rock鈥檚 original participating restaurants, and Caruthers has been involved in every event since, serving as chair/co-chair of two previous Taste of Little Rock events.

Ahad Nadeem is a May 2023 graduate of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in biology and plans to become a doctor. He has demonstrated outstanding citizenship through research and activities aimed at bettering the lives of others, including working to combat child hunger and educating people about opioids.

At 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, he served as president of the Campus Garden Alliance and vice president of the Student Government Association. He worked with the SGA on campus safety and other initiatives. Passionate about science education, he served as a genetics learning assistant in the classroom. He also presented research on food insecurity and on the genetic programming of fat tissue.

The aspiring physician was also a health and wellness writer for the university鈥檚 student newspaper, The Forum, and his community service work includes volunteering at the 糖心Vlog传媒MS Winthrop Rockefeller Cancer Institutes, in 糖心Vlog传媒MS鈥檚 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and a center that supports grieving children.

鈥淚 would not have been somebody worthy of winning this award without the support and the resources that were offered to me at this university,鈥� Nadeem said. 鈥淚 found that 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is a very student-driven university, and I received so many opportunities to get involved. In my eyes, I just did very small things, and a lot of those small things added up to make changes. I think that when a lot of students do a lot of small things, it can really change the world.鈥�

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Taste of Little Rock, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 highly anticipated culinary and social event, and the corresponding 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Giving Day raise funds for the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Alumni Scholarship Fund, which provides thousands of scholarship dollars every year to deserving 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students. The events, originally scheduled for April 4, were postponed in light of the devastating tornado that hit Little Rock, North Little Rock, and other parts of Arkansas on March 31.

鈥淲ith many of our community members, volunteers, and restaurants impacted by the storms, we wanted to give everyone time to focus on the immediate needs of the community,鈥� said Kristi Smith, associate vice chancellor of alumni and development. 鈥淥ur thoughts and prayers continue to be with everyone in our area who has been impacted by the storms. We look forward to celebrating Taste of Little Rock and Giving Day on April 25 with all of our supporters.鈥�

Taste of Little Rock will honor alumnus James Bobo, a former president of the Alumni Board of Directors and current member of the Centennial Campaign Cabinet. The event is also a celebration of the university鈥檚 annual giving day. The university set a goal of raising $500,000 during this year鈥檚 Giving Day, including securing a gift from every county in Arkansas and every state in the nation.

Every gift made to the university through December 2027 will be a part of the Centennial Campaign. The university鈥檚 largest fundraising campaign has a goal of raising $250 million by the university鈥檚 100-year anniversary. The priorities of the campaign are scholarships, program excellence, student support and the living and learning environments.

To learn more or give, visit /giving/product/centennial-campaign/.

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