Happy Hour Comedy Tour

The Office of Campus Life presents its Happy Hour Comedy Tour featuring Bernie McGrenahan at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, March 16 in DSC Ledbetter Room B. McGrenahan is a former ‘A’ student/athlete and high-risk drinker who lost it all, beat the odds, and climbed his way back to the top. He shares all his ‘inside’ tips to when a party, stops being a party. McGrenahan begins with a stand-up comedy show first, and follows with a powerful message on how to achieve all your goals as a student.

Come on in. We’re open.

Saturday’s Open House made me see UALR from a new perspective. I was truly impressed with the number of students and parents that drove a good distance to visit the campus. Of course, Central Arkansas was well represented, but I also observed folks signing in from places like West Memphis, El Dorado, and Ashdown. So many of these high school juniors and seniors, with fresh smiles and nervous laughter, exhibited an almost tangible excitement to find their future here. It will be a pleasure to welcome them again in the Fall.

Our recruitment staff deserves kudos for their hard work in creating this event. I saw so many examples of the team extending themselves to make sure both parents and students were accommodated. Director of Recruitment Cleveland James was an entertaining host– comical, playful, hopeful. He certainly reminded us that we have a lot to be proud of here.

Racial Attitudes Conference

The survey findings from the seventh annual study on Racial Attitudes in Pulaski County will be released at the conference on Thursday, March 11 in the Donaghey Student Center rooms A, B, and C. The special focus this year is crime. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the program will be held from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. A continental breakfast will be provided. There is no charge. To register, please visit the Racial Attitudes registration page.

UALR Artists Shine in the Delta

The 52nd Annual Delta Exhibition includes works by thirteen talented UALR artists. Quite a feat, considering the Delta is one of the longest running, juried contemporary art exhibitions outside New York City. It’s one of my favorite annual exhibits at the Arkansas Arts Center because it’s always exciting to see that a friend or a favorite artist has been selected for this great honor.

The Delta Exhibit was created in 1956 to showcase contemporary works by artists of the Mississippi Delta region and is open to all artists living in or born in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. Works in all media are featured and reflects the region’s strong traditions of craftsmanship and observation, combined with innovative use of materials and an experimental approach to subject matter.

Ted Grimmett, a UALR employee and student, captured this image, “Low Water Bridge.”

The exhibit continues through March 14 at the Arkansas Arts Center. Take a look at this list of UALR featured artists.

Current Students:

  • Ted Grimmett
  • Anne Haley
  • Steve Hollis
  • Katherine Monroe

Alumni:

  • Latoya Hobbs
  • Erin Lorenzen
  • Dennis McCann
  • Jason McCann
  • Mary Shelton

Faculty Members:

  • Marjorie Williams-Smith
  • Liz Noble
  • Carey Roberson
  • Dominique Simmons

Visa and Immigration Panel Discussion

The UALR International Business Student Association will present a Visa and Immigration Panel Discussion on issues of interest for UALR International Students from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 10 in the Reynolds College of Business room 103.  A panel of visa and immigration experts will offer their insights and advice on student visas, OPT, visas for after graduation work experience, working visas, and immigration visas. Please RSVP to Steve Edison at swedison@ualr.edu

A Hard-Fought Battle

Yesterday Joe Foley’s Trojan women suffered a heartbreaking loss to Middle Tennessee in the final round of the Sun Belt Conference tournament. Today mourning is over, and I couldn’t be more proud of this amazing Trojan team.

https://ualr.edu/communications/blog/images/slideshows/trojans/soundslider.swf?size=2&format=xml

The players never stopped playing, the coaches never stopped coaching, and the fans never stopped cheering, in a game where every pass, every shot mattered. The Trojans had a great season, and the pot-of-gold at the end of the rainbow is that we get to see these Trojan warriors again next year, with the exception of our lone senior, Kim Sitzman.

It’s been fun to watch her grow in the game, beginning as the freshman who shot the big threes to the senior that had her team’s back. Best of luck, Kim – you will be missed.

Even though Sun Belt play is over, we still have opportunities to see this team in action at the NIT tournament or, hopefully, at the NCAA big dance. The NCAA Selection show is Monday, March 15 at 6 pm on ESPN.

Pakko Has His Finger on the Pulse

KARK’s Matt Mosler sat down with Dr. Michael Pakko to take the “economic pulse” of the Arkansas marketplace. Dr. Pakko is the right person to ask. Writing in his blog, he correlates increasing gas prices with a growing economy. Now that’s good spin! And he uses some great terms like “contango” and “backwardation.”

Visit his blog to read his explanation of these terms and see a comparison of gas prices in neighboring states.

Here’s the clip of his appearance on KARK Today:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCnHswtyl3Q]

Student Poetry Reading

The UALR English Department will host its second student poetry reading on Tuesday, March 9 at 7 p.m. in the  Donaghey Student Center, room 205 G. The reading is free and open to the public.  For more information, contact Professor Ralph Burns at 786-3772.

Sun Belt Tourney

Sun Belt Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament will be held March 6-9 2010, in Summit Arena in Hot Springs.

Alumni Champagne Brunch

The Alumni Champagne Brunch at the Sun Belt Basketball Tournament will be held at the Hot Springs Convention Center on Sunday, March 7 from 10 a.m. to noon. This event is free to Alumni Members. Visit the Alumni website to sign up.