Community Chorus Presents “Elijah”

The UALR Community Chorus and Concert Choir will present Mendelssohn’s Elijah at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 3, at the Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock. The church is located at 600 Pleasant Valley Drive in Little Rock. Tickets are $10 and UALR students are free. Call 569-3294 for more information.

Nanotechnologists come in small sizes too.

My 5-year-old daughter and her best friend are future nanotechnology scientists. Or at least that’s what they said yesterday after exploring the Museum of Discovery’s nanotechnology exhibit. It’s a large statement for a small child, but explaining the tiny subject in a big way is exactly what the exhibit did – not to mention lots of hands-on fun. Yesterday kicked off “Nano Days,” four days of presentations, lab classes and interactive demonstrations that enhance the present exhibit.

The UALR Nanotechnology Center partnered with the museum for the events, presenting current research projects and hands-on activities, along with coloring sheets, stickers and more. Dr. Enkeleda Dervishi, a research associate in the center, is serving as the “ambassador,” leading the presentations with the assistance of UALR nanotechnology Ph.D. students Alokita Karmakar, Meena Mahmood and Lamya Saeed. Dervishi said that the young museum attendees have been interested in the research and asked lots of questions.

The group will continue presentations from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m Saturday. It is a partnership that is educating and entertaining school groups and individuals of all ages. Yes, I said all ages. To my surprise, even my little Brooklyn and her buddy Nora understood aspects of nanoscience. They simply thought they were playing, but anyone else could see that their little brains were working too.We started our adventure by building an imaginary nanobot – a tiny robot. The girls decided they instead had made a “nano dancing fish.” They really loved the hands-on activity “Creating Nanomaterials Through Self Assembly.” I read them the instructions, and they followed by separating the red and blue “nanoparticles.” Then they watched how the nanoparticles spontaneously arranged themselves “under certain conditions” (or for the demonstration’s sake, with the push of a button). This was a highlight of the afternoon – spinning the red and blue shapes and watching them magically self assemble into a new arrangement. Every little scientist loves a big orange magnifying lens. Brooklyn and Nora were shocked (“WHOA!”) to observe the tiny particles in the smallest test tube and see how many it took to fill up the largest one. The nanotechnology exhibit is the museum’s first exhibit to include audio learning in both English and Spanish. The girls decided to listen to both languages! After plenty of learning and giggles, we stopped by the UALR Nanotechnology Center booth, where the best friends stocked up on coloring pages, stickers, bookmarks and more. Whether these future nanotechnology scientists realized it or not, they were learning – learning about science and the fun that one can have at a museum. Perhaps some day these girls – or some of the hundreds of students who will visit “Nano Days” – will don latex gloves (“they feel so funny”) and white lab coats while conducting cutting edge research in a lab like the UALR Nanotechnology Center. Until then, we’ll have to keep visiting the Museum of Discovery. Here’s a few more photos from our adventure:

Bongo Ball Mania!

The University Program Council and the Office of Campus Life invite you to join Bongo Ball Mania from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 1 in the Donaghey Student Center Fitness Center. Bongo Ball Mania is a fast, aggressive game of capture the flag, where two teams hide between, under, and behind obstacles while advancing down the battlefield of flying Nerf balls in an attempt to capture the flag and win the game.

The game is free to all UALR students, faculty and staff with a valid ID. Call Benny Scroggin at 569-3214 for more information.

UALR on C-Span

It was recently announced that C-Span has uploaded almost every hour of its 23-year video archive. Among that archive are many events filmed on the UALR campus, as well as several occasions where faculty testified for various congressional hearings.

Below are a few selections:

Following a semester-long class on the Clinton presidency and his political career, President Clinton talked to students and others about his political experiences in the White House, current events, and the political process.

Below: Professor Robert Steinbuch testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee about corporate accountability for dangerously defective products:

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Below: The directors of ten of the twelve presidential libraries meet at UALR and talk about the latest developments at their libraries, preserving and using presidential papers and memorabilia, and the operation of the presidential library system.

Art for Haiti

There is nothing I love more than shopping for art. I love to buy the works of budding new artists because it’s fun to watch them grow and evolve with their craft. I especially like to buy art when it’s for a good cause so I’m looking forward to attending smART: Artists and Scholars for Haiti art show and sale featuring UALR students.

The show features approximately 100 works by 20 artists in a variety of mediums. All the original artworks created by these caring artists will be sold for $20 or less so everyone is sure to find a treasure that fits their budgets. And, all the proceeds benefit Haiti relief efforts.

The event begins with a reception from 6-8 p.m. Monday, March 29 in the Donaghey Student Center Ledbetter Assembly Hall, Room C. The show continues through March 31 from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. each day. The event is sponsored by the UALR Donaghey Scholars Student Committee and the UALR Art Student Association. If you have questions, contact Eileen Turan at elturan@ualr.edu or 683.7752.

And now, take a sneak peek at the show!

Oaklawn Day at the Races

UALR Alumni Association’s Oaklawn Day at the Races will take place on Saturday, March 27  from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Oaklawn Race Track in Hot Springs. The bus will depart from UALR Lot 13. Tickets are $40 for Alumni Members and $60 for non-members. Price includes transportation, general admission, all day seating at the Jockey Club and chef’s buffet. 

Originally planned for April 3rd, this Oaklawn weekend has been moved forward because of the five-million dollar running of the Apple Blossom Stakes featuring Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta. Because of the grandiose nature of the April 3rd race, the Jockey Club will be reserved for club members and owners of the thoroughbreds. As a nature of goodwill,  Oaklawn is offering special drink pricing to the Alumni group. For more information, please call 683-7208 or email Christian O’Neal at cxoneal@ualr.edu

Make Plans for Summer Semester 2010

Whether you’re planning to take basic courses or simply intent on registering for an interesting elective, UALR Summer Courses are a great way to get ahead and lighten your academic load for the following semesters. Now is a good time to start planning ahead.

Find your course.

Start by viewing a current listing of courses offered during Summer 2010.

You can also use the “Class Schedule at Your Fingertips” to simplify your selection. Click on the schedule page below and select the subject areas you’d like to study to see what’s available.

Upcoming 2010 Term Dates

There are four separate “terms” in which summer courses are offered:

Summer 1: May 24 – August 4
Summer 2: May 24 – June 28
Summer 3: June 7 – June 30
Summer 4: July 6 – August 9

It’s important to plan ahead for summer semesters

All undergraduate students (except temporary, transient, provisional, and post-baccalaureate) must be advised before they can register for classes. For those new to the process, learn about advising here. There is also advising information for transfer students as well as advising information for continuing students.

Here are the important dates for Summer 2010, including information about admissions deadlines, registration periods, and payment deadlines.

Summer Financial Aid
Learn about how to apply for summer financial aid, and get information about important dates and deadlines for summer aid by visiting the Summer Financial Aid page.

For additional assistance contact the UALR Office of Recruitment at 501.683.7302

Taste.

In an effort to be a hardworking communications employee, I tried very hard to focus on the sights and sounds of last night’s Alumni Association fundraiser. Don’t get me wrong; I was impressed with what I saw and heard, but I was repeatedly distracted by one of my other five senses… Taste.

The Taste of Ireland, a fundraiser for student scholarships, promised great food, drink and company, and the event didn’t disappoint. Alumni, faculty, students and Irish wannabes seemed to arrive at the Bailey Alumni and Friends Center by Paddy Wagon, hungry and curious about the corned beef cabbage rolls, Irish leek and swiss tarts, pub ale cheddar spread, mini lamb sliders on brioche, Irish truffles and other hors d’oeuvres advertised on the invitation.

As a member of the planning committee, I’ll admit that I, too, was a little uncertain about the appeal of Irish food. But that uncertainty flew out of my mind faster than I could get the Bailey’s cheesecake in my mouth. My date and I hit up the fresh seafood bar first, admiring the clover ice sculpture before noticing the pub-style bar on the other side. With an assortment of Irish whiskeys, it seemed to be a popular party spot, along with the beer bar outside on the, uh-hmm, Paddy-O. 
As the sun set outside, I watched party-goers of all ages shake hands and toast their mugs while listening to the spirited sounds of the Celtic Music Society. My date convinced me to suppress my urge to do a little jig, but around the place, I saw feet tapping… that is, when they weren’t on their way back to the potato pancakes or a Guinness.
When I left the party at its scheduled ending time of 8 p.m., there was still quite a crowd at the Alumni Center. Maybe it was the luck of the Irish, but I think it was more than just the food and drink that drew them to the event. It was the students and the need for scholarships. As a former alumni association scholarship recipient, I know first-hand how this event helps students with the stressful and rising costs of education. I am confident that many of the attendees came to the event to support the Alumni Association and the students it so graciously helps. I heard that from many, and it speaks highly of our university. But hey, while you’re there, you might as well enjoy the taste.
Here’s a glimpse of some of the party-goers:

Taste of Ireland

The UALR Alumni Association’s Taste of Ireland will be Thursday, March 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Bailey Alumni and Friends Center. This event is a fundraiser designed to help UALR students with the rising costs of educational expenses. Co-chairs are Mary and Sean Glancy and tickets are $45. For tickets or information on being a sponsor, visit the  Alumni website or call Christian O’Neal at 569-3142.

Shakespeare Scene Festival

UALR’s Department of English and the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance present the 2010 Shakespeare Scene Festival from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, March 17 and Thursday, March 18 in the University Theatre. The festival brings together students from a variety of central Arkansas schools to perform scenes from Shakespeare’s plays. Each performance will last approximately 25 minutes. Students serve as the audience for the other performers. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Dr. Brad Minnick at jbminnick@ualr.edu