Since joining 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 2015, Dean Whitman has been instrumental in expanding and enhancing the college鈥檚 academic programs and research initiatives. His tenure has been marked by a strong focus on fostering community partnerships, and his role as a representative on the Little Rock Tech Park Board underscores his commitment to the community.

鈥淒ean Whitman鈥檚 work has played a key role in 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics,鈥� said Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Ann Bain. “We thank him for his years of service and wish him continued success in his future endeavors.”

Dr. Jeff Connelly, DCSTEM associate dean and professor of earth science, will serve as interim dean, effective July 1, 2024. In his more than 30-year tenure at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Dr. Connelly has served 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in a variety of roles including professor, department chairperson, and interim associate dean. He has served as associate dean of the college since 2019.

鈥淚 would like to extend my gratitude to Dr. Jeff Connelly for his willingness to serve in this interim capacity,鈥� Bain said. 鈥淗is deep understanding of the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics will help to ensure consistency during this transition.鈥�

A national search for Dr. Whitman鈥檚 replacement will begin immediately.

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Located in the Engineering and Applied Technology Sciences building, the lab will help students in the with classes in surveying, heavy construction, and field engineering. This dedicated lab space will enhance learning field layout, jobsite management, equipment utilization, and engineering economics.

The classroom and lab renovation was completed thanks to a generous five-year, $50,000 donation from , a family-owned business that has served the state of Arkansas as the Caterpillar Equipment and Service provider since 1927.

鈥淭hank you for the opportunity to work with 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and the construction management program,鈥� said John Arthur Riggs V, senior vice president of support, engine, and technology at Riggs Cat. 鈥淚鈥檝e been very thankful for this university and this program. It鈥檚 pretty unique in what it does, and I鈥檓 very happy to be a part of it. We are excited to see what you do with this classroom and excited for what it will do for future students and what it does for future leaders in the construction industry.鈥�

Provost Ann Bain said that the dedication is a chance to recognize and celebrate industry partners and the support that they provide to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and its students.

鈥淩iggs Cat has a long history of giving back to the community and to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock,鈥� Bain said. 鈥淵ou can see that on campus at the Engineering and Information Technology building where the company name is prominently displayed on the donor wall. Riggs has also supported construction management students through the awarding of scholarships. Now we can add the renovation of this classroom to their list of giving to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. Your investment in our students and university is ensuring a strong construction industry workforce in Central Arkansas.鈥�

This gift is part of the Centennial Campaign, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 fundraising campaign to raise $250 million before the university鈥檚 100-year anniversary.

鈥淲e are currently working to raise a quarter of a billion dollars in support of student scholarships, student support, program excellence, and the living and learning environment during the Centennial Campaign,鈥� said Dr. Lawrence Whitman, dean of the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. 鈥淭his classroom is one of many examples of innovation to improve the learning environment on campus. We appreciate the partnership with Riggs Cat. The way that we work with our industry partners sets this university, our college, and our students apart.鈥�

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The ceremony is the first of a new tradition for 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and will begin at 6 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Associated Builders and Contractors of Arkansas building in North Little Rock. Many members of the construction management industry will join the graduates for the ceremony as well as a celebratory dinner.

鈥淕raduation is a big day for all and to recognize students in a unique manner that is clearly related to their degree makes it even more special,鈥� said Dr. Lawrence Whitman, dean of the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. 鈥淭he Topping Out ceremony is a great way to provide special recognition for these great graduates. Thanks to Jill Cates for her leadership in establishing this new, excellent tradition for our Construction Management majors.鈥�

The graduating students who will be honored include Caleb Coffman, Steven Currence, Tabari Herron, William Hopkins, Naji Kattom, Andrew Payton, and Christian Salazar.

The graduating students will be honored with commemorative 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock hardhats and certificates as well as sign a beam that will be displayed in the Engineering, Technology, and Applied Science Building at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock for future generations to see.

鈥淭raditionally in a Topping Out Ceremony in construction, all members involved with the project sign the final beam that will be placed on the building,鈥� said Jillian Cates, a senior construction management major and president of the Associated General Contractors of America student chapter. 鈥淪ince our graduates have reached this milestone in both their academic and professional career, we are having them do the same thing!鈥�

Cates is a member of the Dean鈥檚 Student Leadership Board and had the idea to begin the topping out ceremony at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock after seeing similar ceremonies taking place at other universities across the country.

鈥淚 have been working hard to make this happen since the beginning of this summer, and I promise you this tradition is nothing short of amazing,鈥� Cates said. 鈥淚t will not only bring a sense of community to the graduates from our department, but will also bring an even greater love for this university for all who are a part of it. This is a way for us to leave our mark on the university.鈥�

The ceremony is a way to distinguish the graduates of one of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 most successful academic departments. Students in the program are highly sought after by the construction management industry and have a 100 percent employment rate upon graduation.

Ceremony speakers include Dr. Hank Bray, department chair; Mike Tramel, professor and founding past department chair; Dr. Lawrence Whitman, dean of the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, and Lloyd Webre, director of development and external affairs.

鈥淚 am excited about the first ever topping out ceremony for graduates of the programs in construction management and civil and construction engineering,鈥� Bray said. 鈥淭opping out in construction refers to placing the last piece of steel in a building or structure. It’s a milestone in a project that is widely celebrated by the contractor, the employees, and the owner. The last beam is signed by all the parties and lifted into place by a crane with much fanfare, often flying an American flag. It is fitting to recognize these graduates as they reach this milestone in their career – not completed, but well on their way. I am so proud of Jill for her leadership in starting this new tradition.鈥�

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The lab will help students in the Department of Construction Management and Civil and Construction Engineering emphasize the important role that mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) subcontractors have in the building environment. The lab renovation is thanks to a five-year, $40,000 donation from Staley Electric.

鈥淏ecause of this generous support, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock now has a newly remodeled MEP lab that will help our students appreciate and understand how to coordinate work with MEP subcontractors,鈥� 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Provost Ann Bain said. 鈥淪ubcontractors hire the majority of the trades that include highly skilled workers performing complex tasks. This lab and our relationship with Staley will assist our students in understanding and supporting MEP work.鈥�

Brent Staley, president and CEO of Staley Electric, is making this investment with 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock to provide career specific education and training for the next generation. Staley鈥檚 mother and wife, Connie and Natalie, are both graduates of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

鈥淲e are really excited about this partnership and what it means for the careers of the young adults who are going to come through this program and how they are going to enter the workforce – locked, aimed, and ready to go,鈥� Staley said.

The wall of the classroom is adorned with Staley鈥檚 core values: stewardship, trust, agility, loyalty, excellence, and the yes attitude. These are values Staley hopes the students will learn at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and carry with them throughout their careers.

鈥淭his business was started less than a mile from here in Royce and Virginia Staley鈥檚 garage,鈥� Staley said. 鈥淭he core values are what we live by every day. It鈥檚 how we measure ourselves. Those core values are a direct reflection of Royce and Virginia Staley and Connie and Natalie and me. We thought if we could share anything with the students in perpetuity, that鈥檚 what we would want them to see every day.鈥�

This gift is part of the Centennial Campaign, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 fundraising campaign to raise $250 million before the university鈥檚 100-year anniversary.

鈥溙切腣log传媒 Little Rock will celebrate its centennial year in 2027,鈥� said Dr. Lawrence Whitman, dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. 鈥淲e are currently working to raise a quarter of a billion dollars in support of student scholarships, student support, program excellence, and the living and learning environment. This gift for the renovation of this classroom is a perfect example of donor dollars making an impact on the students鈥� learning environment.鈥�

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Dr. Lawrence Whitman, dean of the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), will hold an enlightening and informative conversation with Alley at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3, in the Schueck, Lexicon, McCarty Auditorium in the Engineering and Technology Building on the campus of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

The new program will highlight industry leaders from across the region and provide opportunities for students and guests to hear from and engage with visionary titans of industry. The first to be featured is Alley, who founded the successful commercial contractor and construction management company VCC in 1987.

“I am thrilled to have a true 鈥楾itan of Industry鈥� this October to share with students and other industry practitioners,鈥� Whitman said. 鈥淲e will discuss his career and the industry’s future. I am sure that this enlightening conversation with Mr. Alley will serve as an inspiration to our students, alumni, and community members. This will be a great kickoff to many of these kinds of events in the future.”

After graduating with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in civil engineering from the University of Arkansas, Alley was hired as a project manager for a Little Rock construction firm and gained experience as a construction manager. Inspired by his father, an entrepreneur, Alley co-founded VCC on his 31st birthday.

Serving as chairman of VCC, Alley is recognized as one of the top engineering and construction professionals in the country. Under his guidance, VCC has built a reputation as a leading top contractor in the nation and is consistently recognized as the largest retail contractor, Top 15 multifamily contractors, and ENR’s Top 100 contractors. VCC is registered and/or licensed in all 50 states and is able to deliver landmark projects nationwide.

Alley has served a pillar in the community for more than 40 years. Together with his wife Janet, he established the Master of Science in Construction Management program at the University of Arkansas. He also served on the steering committee for Campaign Arkansas and is a member of the Arkansas Academy of Civil Engineering. He was inducted into the U of A’s Engineering Hall of Fame this year.

Alley serves numerous civic groups and founded the VCC Cares Foundation in 2014 that has given millions of dollars to nationwide charities focused on helping women, children, and veterans. He was named a lifetime board member for Youth Home, serves as a Rotarian and a member of Little Rock Fifty for the Future, and was named Arkansas Business Executive of the Year in 2013.

The Titans of Industry event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Lloyd Webre, director of development for the Donaghey College of STEM, at lgwebre@ualr.edu or 501-951-1794.

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