Arts & Culture - News - UA ��Ƶlogo

A Family Milestone: Mother and Son Graduate Together from UA ��Ƶlogo

Justin Bates — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 17:00:00 +0000

For years, Karen Grace Johnson was the one offering guidance.

As a respiratory therapist and later a pulmonary disease navigator, she encouraged others to continue their education and pursue new opportunities. When she decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree herself, it was her son, Jeffrey Andrews, who helped show her the way.

This spring, the pair celebrated a milestone together, as graduates of the University of Arkansas at ��Ƶlogo.

For Andrews, a first-generation college student, sharing the experience with his mother made the moment even more meaningful.

“It means a lot to me to graduate with my mother,” Andrews said. “I admire her strength and commitment to self-improvement. She has instilled in me a passion to achieve big dreams without limitations. Graduating together encompasses the hard work we surpassed to achieve those dreams.”

Andrews graduated with a Master of Public Administration, a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management, and a Graduate Certificate in Conflict Management. Johnson completed her Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies after decades working in healthcare.

Their paths to graduation were different, but both were shaped by determination, a commitment to education, and personal growth.

Andrews arrived at UA ��Ƶlogo in 2017 unsure what to expect about college life and a populated, busy campus after he graduated from Maumelle Charter High School.

“My graduating class had 25 students,” he said. “It was daunting to go to such a large institution in my eyes at the time.”

A and New Student Orientation helped ease the transition, but he said the biggest surprise came when classes began.

“The small classroom sizes made the university feel like a second home,” Andrews said. “I built connections with my professors and found new friends quicker than I would have at a larger university.”

He credits supportive faculty, the Ottenheimer Library, Counseling Services, and friendships formed through campus involvement, including Kappa Sigma fraternity, with helping him succeed while working full time.

Those experiences eventually led him to join the Undergraduate Admissions team as a recruiter, where he began helping prospective students navigate the college process.

That knowledge became especially valuable when Johnson called him with an idea.

“She said, ‘I am thinking about going back to school,’” Andrews recalled.

Johnson planned to pay out-of-pocket for tuition. Instead, Andrews helped her navigate scholarships and financial aid opportunities available through UA ��Ƶlogo.

Their first success came when she received the Trojan Transfer Scholarship. Later, she also benefited from the Corporate Partnership Program between Baptist Health and UA ��Ƶlogo, helping make it possible to complete her degree with little financial burden.

“As a first-generation student, I did not understand what the FAFSA was or where to find scholarships,” Andrews said. “When I began working for the university as a recruiter, that knowledge came with the job.”

For his mother, returning to school was both a professional and personal decision.

“Professionally, I felt it was important to enhance and modernize my skills in technology and leadership,” she said. “Personally, I always encourage new therapists to continue their education, so I have to practice what I preach.”

She said UA ��Ƶlogo’s flexible online courses allowed her to balance work and family responsibilities while pursuing her degree. Faculty support also helped ease concerns about returning to the classroom after many years away.

“Their critiques, reviews, and responses encouraged, validated, and inspired me to continue,” she said.

She graduated with a 4.0 GPA and has already begun work in the university’s early-entry Master of Arts in Applied Communication program.

Watching his mother embrace higher education has been one of the most rewarding parts of Andrews’ own academic journey.

“She went from being timid about returning to school to being excited about contributing to academia,” he said. “Now we have long discussions about AI in the classroom and communication in healthcare.”

But their shared graduation day almost did not happen. Undergraduate and graduate ceremonies were originally scheduled separately before a late adjustment placed them in the same commencement ceremony.

“I could see my mom three rows ahead of me,” Andrews said. “It was a great experience to not only graduate but walk across the same stage together. I could not have asked for a better coincidence.”

For Johnson, the moment carried just as much meaning.

“Graduating with my son meant the world to me,” she said. “Our journey was not easy, but it was worth the experience of completing such a big chapter in our lives.”

Together, they hope their story encourages others to pursue educational goals, regardless of age or circumstance.

“I hope our experience and our story inspire others to start their own exciting journey,” she said.

As Andrews looks toward a future that may include law school, he continues to carry a lesson that has guided both his and his mother’s path.

“How big would you dream if you knew you could never fail?” he asked.

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Writing Her Next Chapter: Josie Eanes Builds on Family Tradition at UA ��Ƶlogo

Bobbie Handcock — Wed, 27 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Continuing a family tradition as a third-generation University of Arkansas ��Ƶlogo graduate, Josie Eanes has turned a lifelong love of storytelling into a journey of growth and creative achievement. This spring, she received her bachelor’s degree in English with a concentration in creative writing. Instead of a minor, she completed two additional concentrations: nonfiction writing and viola studies.

Although she always knew she wanted to attend college, Eanes didn’t settle on her major until later in high school.

“After listening to a particularly encouraging and supportive English teacher, I decided I wanted to major in English and specifically focus on creative writing,” she said. “I’ve always enjoyed my English classes, and I used to write ‘books’ when I was a kid, as well as being an avid reader.”

As a member of the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program, Eanes attended college full-time while working throughout her four years. Balancing coursework, work, and extracurricular opportunities required persistence, but the effort paid off.

“I think it can be particularly challenging to take Donaghey classes alongside my degree, while making room for a semester of study abroad, extracurriculars, and working,” she said. “Although there were times when I had my doubts, coming away with a degree and a 4.0 makes all of the late nights, early mornings, and tears feel worth it.”

One of the most transformative experiences of her college career came during a semester abroad at the University of Nottingham in England.

“I had never been away from home more than a week, never been out of the country, and never even been on a plane,” she said. “But after I made a few friends and began to get used to my life there, it became the most valuable experience I’ve ever had. I learned how to be truly independent and to create a social circle from scratch.”

Back on campus, Eanes continued developing her voice as a writer. Her work appeared in Equinox, where she served as managing editor, and The Oakland Arts Review. She also presented at the Arkansas and Mississippi Philological Association conferences.

“I think with every piece a young writer creates, there comes improvement,” she said. ” I certainly feel this way; every new piece I write turns out light years better than the last.”

Beyond academics, Eanes spent summers working at the Museum of Discovery, where she helped lead the Girls in STEM program and mentored pre-teen girls.

Mentors also played an important role in her success throughout college, including Dr. Simon Hawkins and Dr. Jessica R. Scott, director and associate director of the Donaghey Scholars program, respectively.

“Besides being engaging professors, they have helped me network, form my degree plan, and get the most out of study abroad and my scholarship in general,” Eanes said. “I also really appreciate Dr. (Earnest) Cox, Dr. (Kris) McAbee, and Professor (Jeffrey) Condran for their mentorship on my senior thesis. I’ve had a lot of really amazing professors who don’t get enough credit for all they do.”

Professor Condran, a UA ��Ƶlogo creative writing instructor, praised Eanes’ continued development as a writer.

“Her fiction is focused on the Urban South and deeply character-driven,” he said. “All of Josie’s fictional people have such distinct and engaging voices that the reader can’t help but fall in love with them. . . I’m excited to watch her literary career develop – it’s going to be special.”

Eanes is now a third-generation UA ��Ƶlogo alum, continuing a family legacy that includes her parents, grandmother, and grandfather.

She plans to take a gap year before pursuing graduate school. Reflecting on her college experience, Eanes said the journey shaped her both academically and personally.

“I hardly recognize the person who entered UA ��Ƶlogo, and I’m so happy with how I’ve grown as a person and student,” she said. “I am particularly grateful for my Donaghey scholarship, which has allowed me to graduate from college debt-free.”

As she looks ahead, Eanes offers simple advice to future students: “Be open to change because you never know how wonderful and exciting it can be.”

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UA ��Ƶlogo Graduate Lawson Bear Finds a New Calling in Theater

Bobbie Handcock — Tue, 26 May 2026 14:09:23 +0000

Lawson Bear came to the University of Arkansas at ��Ƶlogo four years ago to study music. Now, after graduating with a degree in music and a minor in theatre arts, he’s preparing to pursue a new ambition: acting.

The Dallas native graduated this month as a member of the Donaghey Scholars, an honors program that supports students through research, study abroad, and service opportunities while covering tuition, fees, and a stipend.

Bear opted to pursue music because “it’s the only thing I really knew.” But his college experience expanded far beyond the classroom. One of the defining moments of his time at UA ��Ƶlogo came when he studied abroad.

“Got to study abroad for a semester in Sweden — that was life-changing,” he said. “Puts a lot into perspective when a big fish finally leaves the small pond and realizes they’re not as big relative to the sea.”

Bear said the best thing about Sweden was the people, and he still keeps in contact with some of them. He also enjoyed having the freedom to “grow with myself on my own terms. Unregimented. Unobserved. Free.”

“I took a solo trip to Leipzig, and I got to sit in on a service at St. Thomas where the boys’ chorus that J.S. Bach once directed sang,” he said, adding that he also traveled with friends to Gothenburg, Stockholm, and Malmö. Their travels took them to a small ski town in Lapland, Finland, and even to the Norwegian Sea for a swim.

“Copenhagen was really accessible, so we went down there often, saw what there was to see (architecture, the sea, the people) and ate good food,” he said.

While Bear valued his musical training, theater ultimately became his greater passion.

“I’ve been in a few plays, and that’s really fulfilling,” he said. “HIR and Fairview are the stand-outs.”

Bear said the best part of acting is the creative process.

“You’re creating a person, and that’s a very delicate process,” he said. “Stage partners need to trust one another unconditionally, so it’s such a wonderfully vulnerable moment.”

Dr. Lawrence D. Smith taught Bear in Creative Arts II, Acting I, Script Analysis, and Theatre History II, and directed him in two plays. He described him as “smart, driven, talented, and an accomplished singer and excellent actor.”

Dr. Lorissa Mason, assistant professor of music and director of choral activities at UA ��Ƶlogo, praised Bear’s curiosity and determination.

Bear has “a deep appreciation for literature and the written word,” she said. “His natural curiosity spans many subjects, fueled by a genuine eagerness to engage with the world around him. Driven and focused, he has the determination to excel in whatever career path he pursues.”

Bear plans to move to Los Angeles to pursue acting.

“I’m going to do the starving actor thing for a while, see if there isn’t any work for me up in the big city,” he said.

While part of him wishes he had spent the last four years building a career, he said taking the college detour shaped his perspective and proved useful to him. ”Studying abroad, for example, was invaluable in that it taught me how to exist as a cog in a foreign machine, how to live in an ecosystem I don’t understand,” he said.

As a member of the Donaghey Scholars Program, Bear said he also developed stronger critical thinking skills, which he calls invaluable. He added that he expects the lessons he learns after college will far exceed those he gained in the classroom.

“Now the real learning begins, as I start to build connections in a city that is foreign to me,” he said.

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Serving Beyond the Badge: Hockaday Graduates with Honors

Samantha Koros — Mon, 25 May 2026 16:49:24 +0000

When Jamal Hockaday crossed the commencement stage at the University of Arkansas at ��Ƶlogo, he celebrated more than earning two degrees. His graduation marked the fulfillment of a promise — one made to his father before his passing and built on more than three decades of service in law enforcement.

Hockaday earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and an Associate of Science in Law Enforcement.

“Getting these degrees represents years of commitment, resilience, and personal and professional growth,” he said. “For me, this is about more than higher education — it represents perseverance, purpose, and my commitment to my family, my peers, and becoming more knowledgeable in how I serve others through my work.”

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Hockaday’s early life took him across the country and overseas to Germany where he completed the majority of his high school years before finishing his studies back in the U.S. Inspired by his father — a retired Air Force veteran and police officer — he made the life-changing decision to serve his country and join the United States Navy, setting the stage for a career defined by his commitment to his community and country.

After completing his service, Hockaday sought out another way to serve and began his law enforcement career in Arkansas. He worked for the Jacksonville Police Department for 13 years before joining the Sherwood Police Department, where he continues to serve today.

Over the course of his 31-year law enforcement career, Hockaday has held a variety of roles, including detective, school resource officer, arson investigator, crime scene technician, field training officer, and state-certified law enforcement instructor. He currently serves as a school resource officer at Sylvan Hills High School, a role he said has had the greatest impact on him personally and professionally.

“Being a school resource officer has had the biggest impact on me because I am able to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the public,” Hockaday said. “I hope I’m able to inspire the students at my school because they inspire me. They have inspired me to be a better person, husband, father, and law enforcement officer.”

Family has been a steady source of strength throughout Hockaday’s journey. He and his wife have been married for 30 years and are the parents of a 16-year-old son. He said their support carried him through the demands of his career, education, and personal challenges. His commitment to service was shaped by his father, whose example influenced both his military and law enforcement careers. In his final year of study, Hockaday also faced the loss of his father following a battle with Parkinson’s disease linked to Agent Orange exposure during service in South Vietnam. Before his passing, his father encouraged him to complete his degree—a promise Hockaday kept.

“It was hard, I almost quit school. My mother and wife both told me to press on, and that is what my dad would want,” he said. “I also wanted to set an example for my son and to show him that when life is tough, you don’t quit, you persevere through it, and fight. That’s exactly what I did, and now I’m graduating with honors.”

That drive carried into the classroom, where Hockaday’s decades of experience gave deeper meaning to his studies. He found value in classmates’ diverse viewpoints, new to criminal justice, and in meaningful discussions that broadened his perspective as both a student and an officer. Those same lessons have shaped the way he approaches his work as a school resource officer, where building trust and relationships with students has become one of the most rewarding aspects of his career.

“Four years ago, a female student was complaining about police officers and saying that she didn’t like cops. I told her that I’m a cop, and she looked me dead in the eye and said, ‘Hockaday, you are one of us!’ Right then, I knew I was making a difference in these students’ lives. They did not see me as a police officer but as family and a person that they could depend on,” said Hockaday.

Looking ahead, he hopes to use both his education and professional experience to help train future law enforcement officers, emphasizing empathy, integrity, and public trust. He wants recruits to understand the importance of protecting citizens’ rights, leading with compassion, and recognizing that every person’s story and circumstances are different.

“As a Black man, I saw an opportunity to be a solution and not the problem, just as my father was. Law enforcement became my way to continue his legacy,” said Hockaday.

With two degrees in hand, Hockaday plans to continue his father’s legacy of service, continuing serving his community and now the next generation of law enforcement. Excited about this new stage of life, his goal remains the same: to lead with integrity and compassion, always comitted to making a positive impact on his community and country.

“I know my dad is looking down on me from heaven,” he said, “saying ‘Well done son, I’m proud of you’.”

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UA ��Ƶlogo Alum Uses Closet of 300 Costumes to Inspire Students

UA ��Ƶlogo — Fri, 22 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000

A 2015 University of Arkansas at ��Ƶlogo alumnus was awarded the Educator Recognition Award by the in February.

April Blackburn, longtime K-12 GT teacher for in Bigelow, Ark., was recognized for her significant contributions to GT education.

Blackburn graduated in 2011 with a degree in education from the University of Central Arkansas (UCA). Freshly 22 and eager to put her diploma to use, she was offered a position as a GT teacher with East End School District, the only position open at the time, under the condition that she become certified as soon as possible.��

While she didn’t quite realize all that being the district’s only GT teacher would entail, she was up for the task. Blackburn enrolled at UA ��Ƶlogo and began the process. By 2013, she only lacked three credits for her master’s; by 2015, she had completed her M.A. in Gifted and Talented Education, a degree she never imagined she’d one day have.

She credits Dr. Ann Robinson, a distinguished professor for the UA ��Ƶlogo School of Education, for much of her success from that period.

“There were times when I looked at her and admitted I didn’t know if I had what it takes to finish [the program],” Blackburn said. “And she said, ‘No, you can, and I need you to stay with it.’ She was such a mentor to me.”

All these years later, UA ��Ƶlogo is still part of her life.

“UA ��Ƶlogo never left me after I graduated,” she said. “Dr. Robinson checked in on me when I lost my grandparents, and I still talk to my old professors. The great thing about being an alumnus is that you’re never gone from UA ��Ƶlogo. They’re always proud to call you a Trojan.”

She and her husband were able to go to the university’s annual Taste of ��Ƶlogo April 7, which celebrates diverse culinary experiences from across the city.

“[The invitation] reminded me I’m still part of the family,” she said. “It means a lot to me how much the university cares about their alumni and invests in their success.”

Now 15 years into her tenure at East End School District, Blackburn went into her career hoping to create a safe environment that gives students the space to realize their potential.

“If I don’t teach, who will?” she said. “We’re struggling to get educators. We’re struggling to find the right people. And we’re losing teachers left and right for really valid reasons. I push forward through it because [my students] need me, and they’re going through much worse things than I am. I mean, I have kids who don’t even know what love is.”

It was the idea of putting a smile on even one of their faces that gave her the idea to start wearing costumes to school more than a decade ago. In 2015, Blackburn walked into her classroom on Halloween wearing a homemade replica of Ms. Frizzle’s iconic space outfit: a navy blue dress patterned with stars and planets, space shuttle shoes and Saturn drop earrings.

It became more than just a tradition. On National Popcorn Day, students know when they walk into school that she’ll be dressed up as a giant bag of popcorn. When National Bubble Gum Day comes around a month later, she’ll be dressed up as a bubble gum machine. Each “national day” brings its own costume and theme.

“I probably have more than 300 at this point,” she admitted. “Students who graduated years ago will come up to me in public and ask if I still wear them. I’ve had people beg me to count them, and everyone laughs when I tell them how small of a closet I actually have. Most of the costumes are all vacuum sealed, and some of them are in my attic. The inflatable ones are in the garage.”

If that’s not enough, she’s also earned the nickname “Grant Queen” at her school. During the 2025–26 school year alone, she secured 10 grants, including funding that allowed her middle school students to participate in several regional VEX Robotics competitions across Arkansas.

“I don’t want state funding to ever limit opportunities for my students,” she said. “I have four 3D printers in my classroom. I have class pets. I just hatched eggs in an incubator. There’s always something going on, and it makes the kids run to my door.”

And when she’s not waiting by the door to welcome her students in, she’s helping out with quiz bowl, or chess club, or National Honor Society, or the spelling bee, or Arkansans for Gifted and Talented Education (AGATE), where she sits on the board and as elections chair.

“I wear a lot of hats, literally and figuratively,” she said.

With the support of Callie Quiroz, principal and former librarian at Anne Watson Elementary School, Blackburn also created a makerspace lab—a space where students can go specifically to build and create.

Blackburn was raised in Conway by her grandmother, Clara, who was a third grade teacher at Ellen Smith Elementary School for 23 years before retiring to care for Blackburn and her siblings.

“Hearing the impact she had on students my whole life made me want to have a career where I could impact others,” Blackburn said. “Some of my kids get off the bus every morning and have come from awful situations. If wearing a crazy costume is going to make them feel like they can breathe, then that’s what I’m going to do.”

Her grandmother passed away from pneumonia in 2024, 7 days after the birth of Blackburn’s son William. Clara watched Blackburn win several education awards throughout her career, including the Master’s and Specialist Award in November 2015 and the Act 56 Award from AGATE in 2018.

“I know my grandma is watching, and I want to show her that giving up her career for us wasn’t a mistake,” she said. “I’m going to make her proud until I retire, if I ever do. They might have to carry me out.”

Of all her career milestones, one stood out as the moment she realized she made it as an educator. Every April, Blackburn takes dozens of students on multi-day trips as part of her curriculum. She is always blown away by the impact these trips seem to have on her students, many of whom have never been out of state. But one conversation on a charter bus to the San Antonio SeaWorld Camp in 2015 changed her perspective entirely.

“It was the middle of the night, and I was walking up and down the bus to make sure everyone was okay, and one of the girls was looking out of the window. I stopped to ask her if she was okay, and she said, ‘We just crossed the Texas state line. Did you know that? I’ve never been out of the state before, Ms. Blackburn.’”

That little girl’s face in that moment, where it clicked that she could go places she’d never been before, is something Blackburn says she’ll never forget.

“She had a lot of hardship in her life: a mom in prison and a difficult upbringing being bounced from house to house. It reminded me that as horrible as the world can sometimes be, there are people who don’t have the opportunities we do, and bringing that kind of inspiration that comes with life experience is something that I don’t take for granted.”

It’s advice that Blackburn will pass on to her children: four-year-old Clara and now two-year-old William, named after each of her grandparents, whose spirits live on through the joy she brings to her classroom each day.

Written by Olivia Hicks

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Trading the Mat for the Microphone

Samantha Koros — Thu, 21 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Long before becoming a four-year starter for the , a PAC-12 champion, or an NCAA All-American, Matthew Bianchi was a high school wrestler standing in front of a microphone after a match. That brief interview stayed with him.

“I felt like the coolest kid,” Bianchi recalled.

That experience shaped what he wanted next: to be the one asking questions, telling athletes’ stories, and helping others feel recognized. Years later, as a mass communication major preparing to graduate, Bianchi said that passion still guides the future he envisions beyond the mat.

Wrestling was already part of his life growing up, with a family of four older brothers who all competed — it was their way of life. One brother, Paul, especially influenced his path and first introduced him to the possibility of college wrestling.

“My four older brothers wrestled, and I wanted to do whatever they were doing,” Bianchi said. “Then my brother, Paul, began competing at a high level, and I wanted to follow the same path he was on.”

Watching his brother navigate the recruiting process opened his eyes to the possibility of competing at the collegiate level himself. But when he arrived at UA ��Ƶlogo, the transition to Division I wrestling proved far more difficult than he expected.

“I was very naive,” Bianchi said. “I thought that because I had success in high school, it would instantly translate to college. But that was not the case for me.”

Adjusting to college life while competing tested both his confidence and resilience. After going 1-3 in a competition his freshman season, Bianchi began questioning whether he belonged.

“At one point my freshman year, I almost quit, thinking, ‘Maybe this isn’t for me anymore,’” he said.

During that difficult transition, his coaches became important mentors. He also credits the support of his family and teammates for helping him persevere through the demands of college athletics. Their support helped him work through the challenges of adjusting to college athletics and life away from home.

“If you are only wrestling for yourself, it can become lonely and meaningless,” Bianchi said. “When you are wrestling for others who have supported you through ups and downs, you fight a lot harder.”

Over time, Bianchi learned how to balance the demands of being both an athlete and a student. His schedule often stretched from early morning lifts, to classes during the day, and extra workouts in the wrestling room late into the evening — but balancing both roles became a source of pride.

“When one area of your life is focused, it can make the others fall in line,” he said. “Wrestling was a huge focus. But I can’t wrestle with bad grades. So I worked to improve physically, mentally, and spiritually daily.”

Bianchi’s interest in storytelling continued to grow through his coursework, especially during a live audio course where he learned how to edit and produce audio content. The class introduced him to podcasting, inspiring his senior capstone project, Mindset With Matty — an eight-episode podcast focused on wrestling and the mindset athletes carry during and after a competition. Through the project, Bianchi interviewed wrestlers, coaches, and close friends, exploring how lessons learned on the mat continue shaping their lives long after the match has ended. The conversations not only strengthened his storytelling skills, but also deepened many of his personal relationships.

The guidance Bianchi received from his instructors and coaches shaped the kind of teammate, mentor, and person he wanted to become. As his confidence grew and his success followed, he focused on helping younger wrestlers navigate the same struggles he had faced.

“I have tried to be an open-door person,” Bianchi said. “If a teammate is struggling, I will hear what they have to say without making them feel bad, because whatever they might be going through, I have as well.”

That growth transformed the uncertainty of Bianchi’s freshman season into some of the biggest accomplishments of his career. During the 2025 season, he captured a PAC-12 championship and earned NCAA All-American honors after enduring the demanding three-day NCAA Championships tournament. For Bianchi, though, the season’s most meaningful moments had less to do with medals and more to do with the people beside him.

“That year was very special to me,” Bianchi said. “Everything I did was with guys on the team who I have been around forever and my brother, Joey.”

Joey became Bianchi’s primary training partner throughout the season, pushing him through practices, workouts, and the physical toll of competition. Together, the brothers won back-to-back PAC-12 titles and qualified for the NCAA Championship, sharing hotel rooms, training sessions, and the highs and lows that come with competing on college wrestling’s biggest stage.

“The best moments were not the matches,” he said. “It was the workouts in the middle of the night and us guys trying to laugh, make jokes, and somehow make something that is so intense, fun.”

While wrestling shaped much of his college experience, Bianchi said the future he envisions still traces back to that brief interview after a high school wrestling match years ago. His work in mass communication allowed him to explore storytelling, broadcasting, editing, and media production, giving him a different way to engage with the sport he has always been part of. Now preparing to graduate, Bianchi said the moments he values most are not tied to championships or grades, but to the people and experiences that came with them — teammates pushing through late-night workouts, coaches who challenged him, and the relationships built throughout his four years on and off the mat.

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UA ��Ƶlogo Building Chicago’s 78th Neighborhood: UA ��Ƶlogo Students Capture National ‘Best Pitch’ Title UA ��Ƶlogo

Samantha Koros — Tue, 19 May 2026 14:23:52 +0000

The University of Arkansas at ��Ƶlogo Real Estate Team received the “Best Pitch” award at the 16th annual Harold E. Eisenberg Foundation Competition in Chicago, competing against 21 undergraduate teams from across the country.��

The team’s proposal focused on The 78 — a 62-acre site along the South Branch of the Chicago River that is planned to become Chicago’s 78th neighborhood. The development includes the future McDonald’s Park stadium, a major sports and entertainment destination, in partnership with the Chicago Fire FC soccer team, designed to support year-round activities.

Representing UA ��Ƶlogo were students Brennan Gasaway, Ashley Lopez, Isabel Hortelano, Kodiak Cannedy, and Ryan Hunt, who competed as BAIKR Development, a team name built from each member’s initials. The team developed the award-winning proposal with guidance from industry experts Siteng Ma and Andy Ahitow, while Elizabeth Small, an instructor of real estate, served as the academic advisor throughout the competition.

“Developing this pitch taught us patience, discipline, commitment, and teamwork,” the team said. “As the project evolved, we all became deeply invested in the vision, and receiving this recognition validated the hard work and passion we put into it.”

The proposal centered on creating a mixed-use district guided by the principle of “people first, buildings second,” with an emphasis on building a development that complemented the surrounding neighborhoods while supporting long-term activity beyond stadium events.

Taking Ma’s advice to follow the “Live, Work, Play” concept, the team focused on creating a development that complemented the existing neighborhoods and future McDonald’s Park stadium while giving the 78th neighborhood its own identity.

For “Live,” the students envisioned a walkable residential community with a mix of affordable and market-rate housing designed for students, families, and working professionals, creating a stable environment year-round.

For “Work,” the proposal introduced office, retail, hospitality, and educational spaces anchored by a Culinary and Hospitality Institute designed to support workforce development and generate daily activity within the district.

For “Play,” the team incorporated restaurants, entertainment venues, hospitality spaces, and public gathering areas intended to extend activity beyond game days while supporting both residents and visitors.

As the project developed, the team focused on creating a district that could sustain activity beyond major stadium events. With McDonald’s Park serving as a major anchor for the district, the team introduced the Culinary and Hospitality Institute as a second anchor tenant designed to support workforce development, hospitality training, and year-round engagement.

“We wanted to stay focused on building a community that recognized and included the people already surrounding the space,” Hortelano said. “A big part of our approach was making sure the development felt welcoming and connected to the existing neighborhoods rather than creating something that isolated or displaced them.”

Small encouraged the students to look beyond the site itself and understand the surrounding demographics as real people and neighborhoods, a perspective that shaped many of the team’s design decisions throughout the project.

“We could see how much the team genuinely believed in its pitch, and we were impressed with how they created an ecosystem that could grow organically with the surrounding community over time,” one competition judge said.

Throughout the development of their pitch, team members reached out directly to industry professionals and businesses to test ideas and refine the proposal’s feasibility.

“We were all really surprised how open all of the professionals we spoke to were,” said the team, “We spent a lot of time on the phone or talking over email about all of our options, and which made the most sense for the development.”

As the team refined the project, members said their collaboration became one of the group’s greatest strengths.

“Becoming friends made everything much easier,” Lopez said.

What began as a competition project ultimately became a collaborative learning experience that challenged the students to think beyond the classroom. Through countless conversations, revisions, and real-world outreach, team members said they developed stronger friendships, discovered their individual passions within the project, and gained a deeper understanding of how thoughtful developments can shape communities. Their success at the Eisenberg Competition reflected not only the strength of their proposal, but also the teamwork and shared vision behind it.

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UA ��Ƶlogo Faculty Frank Thurmond Wins McMath Post-Publication Book Award for Debut Novel

Samantha Koros — Tue, 19 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Frank Thurmond, an English instructor at the University of Arkansas at ��Ƶlogo, recently earned the Phillip H. McMath Post-Publication Book Award for his debut novel, Lottie Deno: A Novel of the Civil War and the American Southwest.��

This honor was awarded through the . The festival, now in its 10th year, is dedicated to recognizing Arkansas authors. For Thurmond, a native Arkansan, the award feels especially meaningful.

“To be recognized as an Arkansas writer and to win this award is a really special achievement for me,” Thurmond shared.

Thurmond described his literary path as deeply connected to his life in Arkansas. From growing up in rural Arkansas and attending UA ��Ƶlogo as a Donaghey Scholar, where his mother also taught, to returning home after years of study and travel abroad, his journey came full circle as he now teaches alongside the same professors who once mentored him as a student.

His novel was first selected as a finalist by students in UCA’s MFA Creative Writing program, then chosen as winner by renowned Arkansas literary figure and attorney Philip H. McMath. Along with the award, Thurmond received a trophy, a $1,500 cash prize, and an invitation to give a public reading and talk about his work and writing process.

“I had been told by friends that my name, Frank Thurmond, came up as a 19th-century outlaw, and a friend said, ‘You should write a novel about this namesake,’” Thurmond said. “I started researching that person, and the only thing he did worthwhile was having married this famous woman, Lottie Deno. I realized the real story was her story, and that led me to researching her and finding out about the incredible story of Lottie Deno.”

The result is Lottie Deno: A Novel of the Civil War and the American Southwest, a historical fiction novel that follows the life and adventures of the legendary gambler during Reconstruction-era Texas.

“It was a new experience to have an award like that,” Thurmond reflected. “It brought renewed attention to the book and inspired me to keep writing and working on new material.”

In addition to being a writer, Thurmond is also a screenwriter, filmmaker, and musician, teaching across multiple departments.

“I get to practice what I preach and preach what I practice,” Thurmond said.

His commitment to sharing his work extends beyond the classroom. Students attend his book launches, readings, and film screenings, further connecting academic study to real-world creative achievement.

“It’s wonderful to be encouraged by students who express interest in and appreciation for my work. That, in turn, inspires me to keep going,” he said.

Thurmond believes in leading by example, encouraging his students to pursue their dreams with determination.

“I always tell them to persevere and give it their best shot,” he said, emphasizing the importance of networking, seeking out opportunities, and maintaining confidence in the face of setbacks.

The award adds another milestone to Thurmond’s work as a writer and educator at UA ��Ƶlogo, where he continues to balance teaching, creative projects, and an evolving literary career rooted in Arkansas.

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UA ��Ƶlogo Teacher Residents Celebrate Match Day, Begin Journey Into Arkansas Classrooms

Justin Bates — Tue, 19 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Six UA ��Ƶlogo students learned where they will complete year-long teaching residencies during the 2026–27 academic year and are eager to begin working alongside mentor teachers in Central Arkansas classrooms.

Students in the Trojan Teacher Residency Program celebrated Match Day with faculty, classmates, and school partners as they learned which schools and mentor teachers they will work with during a year-long residency in Central Arkansas.

The residency program pairs future educators with experienced mentor teachers, allowing students to co-teach lessons, strengthen classroom management skills, and build meaningful relationships with students before graduating and entering the profession full time.

The 2026 teacher residents include:

Katelynn Burdiek, placed at Jacksonville Middle School in the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District, where she will work with mentor teacher Shannon Tipton while pursuing licensure in English Language Arts for grades 4-8.
Pedro Cortez Munoz, placed at Jacksonville Middle School in the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District, where he will work with mentor teacher Deanna Malone while pursuing licensure in Social Studies for grades 7-12.
Brandon Gonzalez, placed at Jacksonville Middle School in the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District, where he will work with mentor teacher Meyosha Trammell while pursuing licensure in mathematics for grades 4-8.
Terrika Smith, placed at J.A. Fair K-8 Preparatory School in the ��Ƶlogo School District, where she will work with mentor teacher Sarah McPherson while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.
Anne Marie de Luca, will complete her special education residency at Forest Heights STEM Academy in the ��Ƶlogo School District under mentor teacher Amanda Gammill.
Dawn Summons, placed at Forest Heights STEM Academy in the ��Ƶlogo School District, where she will also work with mentor teacher Amanda Gammill while pursuing special education licensure.

For Smith, Match Day marked the beginning of a long-term goal to become the kind of teacher who leaves a lasting impact on students.

“My hope is to learn and grow into an amazing elementary teacher who inspires students and fosters a love for learning in the classroom,” Smith said. “I’m looking forward to building meaningful relationships with both students and staff while gaining valuable experience throughout the school year.”

Smith said she is especially excited to begin her residency at J.A. Fair and hopes the experience could lead to a long-term future in the district.

“As of now, my plan is to love the school so much that it, or at least the ��Ƶlogo School District, becomes my home long-term,” Smith said.

The Trojan Teacher Residency Program continues to strengthen partnerships between UA ��Ƶlogo and Arkansas school districts while helping address the growing need for highly trained educators across the state. Through immersive classroom experiences, students graduate with practical teaching experience and professional mentorship that prepare them to lead their own classrooms with confidence.

The Match Day celebration also allowed residents to meet school leaders, connect with mentors, and celebrate the beginning of a new chapter as future Arkansas educators.

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UA ��Ƶlogo Students Win National Startup Competition for Cancer Research Venture

Molly Coleman — Mon, 18 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000

What started as undergraduate research in a laboratory at the University of Arkansas at ��Ƶlogo has grown into an award-winning startup with the potential to improve cancer treatment for patients around the world.

UA ��Ƶlogo students and Donaghey Scholars Honors Program members Zane Austin and Nistha Neupane are bringing national attention to campus innovation after winning a competitive startup pitch event through America250, an initiative marking the United States’ 250th anniversary. Their nanotechnology-based company, NanoLit, earned both national recognition and funding through the event.

The competition, , invited student teams from colleges across the country to pitch early-stage ventures to a panel of prominent entrepreneurs and investors. Out of applicants nationwide, only 30 semifinalist teams were selected to travel to California’s Bay Area for in-person pitching and evaluation.

NanoLit was designed to address the harsh side effects of chemotherapy by creating a more targeted treatment approach that reduces damage to healthy cells.

“The hair loss, nail bed damage, and loss of immune function that we see in cancer patients are due, at least in part, to the effect of chemotherapy,” Austin said. “By formulating a drug that is highly selective towards tumor cells, we can mitigate these dangers without compromising the efficiency of the drug, and overall improve patient outcomes”

Their goal is to develop a drug that maintains treatment effectiveness while reducing harm to healthy cells, potentially improving patients’ quality of life during cancer care.

For Neupane, the research carries personal significance.

“Oncology is a field I have dreamt of being in for so long,” she said. “I’ve had the opportunity to get to know the field of oncology from the clinical setting for two years, and from behind the fume hood for four years. On top of that, I went through my own tumor operation that put many things into perspective for me.”

The startup grew out of years of undergraduate research in Dr. Noureen Siraj’s lab at UA ��Ƶlogo, where both students worked on nanotechnology-related projects and developed the foundation for NanoLit.

The competition itself was unlike anything the students had ever experienced before. Throughout the event, participants were filmed as part of the competition experience while pitching and networking with fellow founders and judges.

“From day one, we were taken on a full filming set, had our hair and makeup done, and had microphones placed on us,” Neupane said. “It was like our own small moment of being on reality TV, undergraduate Shark Tank edition.”

The judging panel included high-profile figures such as Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, the CFO of OpenAI, and former U.S. Treasurer Rosie Rios along with other prominent entrepreneurs and investors.

Austin and Neupane said the experience felt surreal, as it gave them the opportunity to present their work to entrepreneurs and innovators who have played major roles in shaping technological and financial innovation in the United States over the past several decades.

“I was entirely starstruck when we had the opportunity to meet individuals like Rosie Rios and Tim Draper,” Neupane said. “To have such influential people be so interested in our startup felt like we had stepped into an entirely different world — the world of entrepreneurs.”

Austin said the experience also reinforced the value of the work the team has been pursuing in the lab for years.

“This was the pinnacle of my undergraduate career, that’s for certain,” Austin said. “This experience meant seeing that what we’ve been doing in the lab actually matters.”

Competing alongside students from institutions such as Stanford, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Pennsylvania initially felt intimidating, the students said, but the experience ultimately reinforced their confidence in the research happening at UA ��Ƶlogo.

“Being able to put UA ��Ƶlogo on the map and have students from universities like Johns Hopkins and Stanford be so impressed by our work puts into perspective how well we have done on our journey so far,” Neupane said. “It became so clear to me why Dr. Siraj has pushed us so hard the past few years to prepare us for opportunities like this.”

The team ultimately advanced as one of 10 finalists and received $25,000 in grant funding to continue developing NanoLit.

Part of the awards package was a scholarship to Draper University, an entrepreneurial training program founded by venture capitalist Tim Draper, which Austin plans to attend.

“I will be taking this opportunity over the summer to go and learn everything I can about building a business from the ground up,” he said.

Neupane, a graduating senior, said this experience highlighted both the potential of NanoLit and the opportunities still ahead for the company. Meeting entrepreneurs and professionals from a wide range of fields also gave her a new perspective as she prepares to begin medical school at the University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine as part of the Class of 2030.

“This gave me a different type of passion and respect for the role that business and marketing play in medicine, and it is certainly something I hope to learn more about going into medical school and beyond,” she said.

Both students said they believe their success came down to a combination of passion and communication.

Neupane said their willingness to openly share their ambition for advancing oncology research helped set them apart, noting that judges described their pitch as “insane” in the best way.

Austin added that a key part of their training in Dr. Siraj’s lab was learning how to make complex science accessible. He said being able to clearly communicate their ideas to judges without a technical background ultimately played a major role in their success.

“We weren’t afraid to show them our big dreams and passion for this field,” Neupane said.

From the research lab to the national stage, Austin and Neupane’s journey showcases how UA ��Ƶlogo students are transforming big ideas into meaningful change.

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