“I think 50 years from now, when you look back, you might think that the establishment of the College of Engineering and Information Technology and the luring of this astonishing woman into this job may wind up being the most significant thing this institution has done since its creation,” Clinton said.

Clinton delivered the keynote address Thursday, Nov. 19, at an evening gala celebrating the 10^th anniversary of UALR’s Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology (EIT).

“It was a remarkable page in the history of the state of Arkansas,”  Bill Bowen, former dean of the UALR law school and former chief of staff for then-Gov.  Clinton, said of the event.

More than 500 local, state, and national business and scientific leaders  attended the reception and dinner on UALR’s campus, just a block from the new six-story, state-of-the-art EIT building that will open in the spring, to salute  Good, the college’s founding dean.

Honorary event chairs Thomas “Mack” McLarty, a former White House chief of staff, and retired Acxiom chief executive officer Charles Morgan said proceeds from the $250-a-plate gala will establish a new fund for the college, the EIT Dean’s Endowment.

Echoing President Clinton’s “bridge to the 21^st century” theme, the creation of UALR’s Donaghey College is making sure Arkansas is a player in the innovative businesses of the new age. Students at EIT have opportunities to prepare for careers from engineering to computer science to high-tech construction management.

“UALR’s Donaghey College is really an avant-garde version of an engineering school today,” UALR Chancellor Joel E. Anderson said. “Not only does it bring a great faculty, but it also attracts a level of students that are often a cut above what you routinely see coming to universities. This is a college that has a spirit, a mood, a momentum to it that makes me very optimistic that it is going to continue to be on the cutting edge.”

When the college was founded in 1999, 380 students were enrolled. Today, its 1,000 students represent hometowns in 67 of Arkansas’ 75 counties. For several years, EIT has attracted more graduates from the residential Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts than any other institution.

Jerry Damerow, who is helping create new business ventures from discoveries from UALR and UAMS laboratories, and his wife, Sherri, have presented a $50,000 gift to UALR to endow a mathematics and statistics scholarship.

The Jerry and Sherri Damerow Mathematics and Statistics Scholarship will provide assistance for education-related expenses up to cost of attendance, including but not limited to tuition, books, fees, room and board, and travel expenses for students pursuing or furthering a baccalaureate degree in mathematics at UALR.

“The Damerows have long supported UALR with their time, expertise, and their gifts,” said Chancellor Joel E. Anderson. “This endowment will help to ensure an increased number of mathematics and science graduates that are vital to Arkansas’s economic growth.”

Damerow is chief financial officer of InterveXion Therapeutics LLC, a UAMS Bio-Ventures start-up company that has brought  two proposed prescription drugs developed at UAMS to market. His previous experience includes serving as associate director of UAMS BioVentures; as a managing partner for Ernst & Young operations in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Southeast Asia; and as a management consultant for early stage businesses.

His civic and professional involvement includes serving as a member and past director of the Rotary Club of Little Rock, as UALR’s Business Advisory Council member, and as a former chair of UALR’s College of Science and Mathematics Advisory Council.

The funds will be used to advance professionalism and ethics projects at the Bowen School.

The law firm is associated with the Wilson History and Research Center in Little Rock. The exhibit of artifacts from the World War II era, including a German judge’s robe and cap and headgear from American soldiers who oversaw the Nuremberg Trial in 1945-1946, will be in the Bowen Law Library through July 31, 2010.

It focuses on the destruction of justice in Nazi Germany by examining the ways members of the Nazi state used legality to justify tyranny, theft, and murder. Also included in the exhibit are pieces from the personal collection of William H. Bowen, former UALR Bowen School dean and World War II pilot.

The exhibit can be viewed during regular library hours. The library is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday.

For more information on this and other exhibits produced by the Wilson History and Research Center, visit the Wilson History and Research Center.

Michael Shelley, president of U.S. Bank, presented Chelte a check for the College of Business’ Dean’s Fund as a source of support for a wide range of activities that support the college’s vision as a catalyst for high quality business education and economic development in Arkansas.

“At U.S. Bank we recognize that UALR and the College of Business are vital to the central Arkansas area,” Shelley said. “They are strategically located in the governmental, financial services and health care center of Arkansas and are in position to aid each of these important economic drivers for the state. UALR has great potential for partnership in such areas as economic development, medical research, and many specific industries, including financial services.”

The Dean’s Fund supports continuous improvement efforts across the College of Business including: student initiatives and scholarships, faculty research and professional development, educational programming, and outreach efforts by the college.

Shelley said U.S. Bank relies on the College of Business to generate well-prepared graduates for its hiring needs and also looks to the UALR master of business administration program to further train several of future banking leaders.

“Chancellor Joel E. Anderson has clear vision of where he wants to see UALR go in the future,” Shelley said. “Enhancing the College of Business is a part of that vision. I am very impressed with Dean Chelte and his plans for the UALR College of Business and wanted to show our support in a tangible fashion. I felt a contribution to the Dean’s Discretionary Fund would enable Dean Chelte to determine how best to utilize the funds.”

U.S. Bank currently serves as a sponsor and partner for the College of Business Sales Center, and its regional commercial banking manager, Scott Teague, has served on the college’s advisory board for nearly five years. The bank also was a sponsor for the 2009 College of Business Alumni of the Year Awards Luncheon.

“U.S. Bank’s generosity will significantly help our efforts to successfully realize the College’s vision and greatly benefit students through programs that help prepare students for productive careers and lives,” Chelte said. “This type of giving enhances the college’s ability to develop partnerships with the business and broader communities that positively impact the overall quality of life in our community.”

“The success of SpectacUALR was phenomenal, considering it was the first fundraising event ever for the Athletic Department,” Denman said. “Volunteer coordinators Jane Yocum and Cortney Beebe and all the volunteers – along with Chasse Conque, director of Athletic development, made it happen.”

At the live auction, the top item was a round of golf with NBA greats Charles Barkley, Dan Majerle, and Joe Kleine, which drew a winning bid of $17,000 . Another auction item — a Los Angeles Lakers Experience for four drew $12,000.

The gala and live auction honored Annette Fisher, mother of UALR and NBA basketball star Derek Fisher of the Los Angeles Lakers and president of the NBA Players Association.

Proceeds from the event will directly impact UALR’s current student-athletes. Scholarships will be awarded to deserving recipients in every sport, men’s and women’s, for the following academic year. This year’s recipients were named “Annette Fisher Scholars” in honor of the 2009 “SpectacUALR” honoree.

UALR Athletic Director Chris Peterson said SpectacUALR will become an annual event.

“This is something we hope the Little Rock and UALR communities will embrace as we continue to raise private support for the department of athletics and our student-athletes,” he said.

The gallery is located in Suite 500 in UALR’s University Plaza.

Taylor, currently a history undergraduate student at Hendrix College, created the exhibit while a summer intern at UALR’s Sequoyah National Research Center. She will be on hand to discuss the exhibition. SNRC staff members will be available to give tours of the facility.

The symposium, Oct. 22 to 24 at UALR’s Donaghey Student Center, is an annual educational outreach during which the public is invited to hear presentations on contemporary tribal issues from Native American speakers on the theme, “American Indians in a Time of Change.”

The gifts support UALR’s programs to enhance student success and consequently affect retention and graduation rates.

“Bank of America is pleased to continue its support of UALR,” said Donnie Cook, Bank of America president for central Arkansas. “We are particularly interested in supporting those students within the low-to-moderate income bracket stay in school and receive a four-year education. These programs address various issues that will positively affect graduation rates among this group.”

Some program examples include a mandatory orientation session created by the Office of Campus Life for incoming freshman and transfer students.

The “Campus Life Success Points” programs are a series of workshops and activities designed to enhance student success and consequently affect retention and graduation rates in a positive way. The programs highlight the myriad issues facing incoming freshman and are organized to create a healthy environment on which collegiate success will be achieved. Planned monthly session topics include “Basics of College Success,” “Time Management,” “Creating Good Study Habits,” “Picking the Right Major,” and “Managing Personal Finances.”

UALR has received financial support from Bank of America since 1990. The bank has invested close to a $400,000 in various programs across campus, including underwriting an annual award presented during the Faculty Excellence celebration recognizing faculty for performance in teaching, research or creative endeavors, and professional and public service.

The campaign, which will run through the academic year, consists of TV, print, online, and outdoor/billboard advertising. This is the third year the university has used the “Difference of Degree” tagline in its ad campaign. The UALR Office of Communications and Mangan Holcomb Partners advertising agency execute the campaign.

“We’ve done a really great job of bringing our constituencies up-to-date about UALR’s strengths for the past two years,” said Judy Williams, UALR communications director. “This year we are taking the message a step further and talking about what happens when you combine the advantages of a vibrant university and a vibrant capital city.”

The three TV ads feature two UALR students and one graduate. In the first spot, viewers meet Calvin Chester, a UALR student from North Little Rock who is taking advantage of the state’s only dance degree while living in the cultural center of Arkansas.

The other two ads, still in production, will spotlight Ashley Fejleh of Rogers, a Donaghey Scholar and pre-med student who has taken advantage of all of the medical and research opportunities on campus and in Little Rock. Mike Tobias, a 2009 information technology graduate from Conway, is featured as a student who interned at the Arkansas Supreme Court and upon graduation later landed a job there.

According to Williams, choosing which college or university to attend can be a difficult decision – and it’s a lifetime investment. “Our job in communications, whether we’re recruiting students or we’re asking for support from the community, is not only to talk about who we are but also about how we are different so that students and supporters can make informed decisions.”

The ads zero in on the advantages of place – a quality metropolitan university located in the capital city, the state’s core of research and medicine, business, government, and culture and arts. For a student, that means more opportunities for networking, internships, and jobs. For leisure activities, that means more cultural and social things to do such as the Little Rock Zoo, the Arkansas Arts Center, the Dickey Stephens Baseball Park, and the RiverMarket.

For the city, that means a constant supply of well educated interns, employees, community leaders, and volunteers.

“We’re often told that UALR is one of the best kept secrets in Arkansas,” said Williams. “That’s changing. As our students, alumni, business and industry partners, faculty, scientists, and community leaders are telling and living the stories about the synergy between UALR and Little Rock, the secret is getting out.”

“The Fund for UALR” kicks off its fall calling season Sept. 21, and it will run until Dec. 13. A second calling season will come in the spring.

“’The Fund for UALR’ will help us fill in the many gaps of resources for growth in areas such as scholarships, academic programs, and classroom needs,” said Chancellor Joel E. Anderson in a letter to alumni and friends of the University announcing the effort.

Last fall, UALR initiated the public phase of its comprehensive campaign, “It’s Time for UALR,” with a gala celebration that featured student performances and former Trojan basketball star Derek Fisher of the Los Angeles Lakers.

“The comprehensive campaign, ‘It’s Time for UALR,’ is a campaign that was marked by a beginning, and it will be marked by an end. Annual giving will be ongoing,” said Daniel McPherson, manager of annual giving at UALR’s Office of Development.

Ruffalo Cody of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, will manage the telephone solicitations, which began Monday, Sept. 21. The campaign will also utilize direct mail and e-mail appeals.

“The focus for this year is to develop a good foundation of donors from past alumni. Each year thereafter we’ll seek to build upon this base,” McPherson said.

The vast amount of any university’s annual giving comes from alumni. Annual giving has been done at UALR, but has not been repeatedly and systematically approached each year, McPherson said.

“When people give to a university, they are increasing the value of a degree from that university,” McPherson said. “The biggest reason, I think, is the better a university does, the more accomplished a university becomes, the more valuable a degree from that institution becomes.”

Participating in an annual campaign helps alums stay connected with their alma mater, he said.

“Is it a matter of pride? That’s a part of it,” he said. “But it’s also a way for donors to stay connected with the University. They come for events on campus. They want to be a part of improving the culture here. Support for UALR improves Little Rock’s culture as well.”

For more about “The Fund for UALR” and other opportunities, visit the Office of Development or call 501-569-3194.

“Annette Fisher is a wonderful lady and one of our most loyal and dedicated supporters. We could not be more appreciative of everything she has done for our university and Trojan Athletics,” UALR Athletic Director Chris Peterson. “The world is a better place because of people like Annette Fisher, and we are thrilled to have her as this year’s SpectacUALR honoree.”

The evening will feature heavy hor d’oeuvres and cocktails and unique silent and live auction items with all proceeds directly impacting UALR’s current student-athletes. Scholarships will be awarded to deserving recipients in every sport, men’s and women’s, for the following academic year. This year’s recipients will be named “Annette Fisher Scholars” in honor of the 2009 “SpectacUALR” honoree.

Tickets for the event are $50 and can be purchased by calling 501-565-8257.

Peterson said SpectacUALR will become an annual event.

“This is something we hope the Little Rock and UALR communities will embrace as we continue to raise private support for the department of athletics and our student-athletes.”

For more information on the event or sponsorship opportunities, contact Chasse Conque by phone at 501-569-3382 or by email at csconque@ualr.edu.