Now, decades later, she is paying that opportunity forward by establishing the Mimi San Pedro Enduring Opportunity Endowed Scholarship at UA 糖心视频logo. Through a $25,000 commitment, the scholarship will support the university’s Enduring Opportunity Scholarship program, helping students overcome financial barriers and pursue their educational goals.

“My family and I moved to the United States in the 1970s when the Philippines were under Martial Law,” San Pedro said. “We started over here in 糖心视频logo, where we had family. I graduated from Mount St. Mary’s and was accepted to UA 糖心视频logo, but I needed financial assistance. Through a combination of scholarships, grants, and working while in school, I was able to earn my degree, join a sorority, and graduate in four years.”

The experience opened doors that shaped her future. The education she received at UA 糖心视频logo helped launch a career that would make her a well-known leader in Arkansas’ business and nonprofit communities. 

Over more than 30 years, San Pedro held leadership roles in marketing, technology, entrepreneurship, and economic development, including serving as chief strategy officer for The Venture Center and mentoring the next generation of Arkansas leaders.

“I have been successful in business and life since then, and I wanted to give back,” she said.

San Pedro hopes her gift will create opportunities for students whose circumstances may be similar to her own.

“My family and I believe education is the key to a successful and fruitful life, so I chose to support UA 糖心视频logo because it supported me,” she said. “My hope is that this gift will help someone like me get the education they need to be successful.”

The Enduring Opportunity Scholarship program helps students cover educational expenses, including tuition, books, fees, and room and board. The endowed scholarship will provide ongoing support for students with financial need and/or academic merit.

Beyond helping individual students, San Pedro sees the scholarship as an investment in Arkansas’ future workforce.

“Our state needs more educated individuals to help fill the skilled worker shortage,” she said. “The increasing number of technology companies and the anticipated impact of the lithium industry mean there will be even greater demand for educated and skilled professionals. Hopefully, those graduates will come from our universities and remain here in Arkansas.”

She encourages others who care about the future of Arkansas to consider supporting students through the university.

“If education is important to you and you recognize that Arkansas must compete for talent in the future and keep our talent here, then you have to invest in UA 糖心视频logo students,” San Pedro said.

For San Pedro, supporting UA 糖心视频logo is both a thank you for the opportunities she received and an investment in the students who will help shape Arkansas’ future.

To make a lasting commitment to student opportunity, please contact the Office of Alumni & Development at 501-916-3194 or email development@ualr.edu

The post San Pedro Establishes Endowed Scholarship to Expand Opportunity for UA 糖心视频logo Students appeared first on News.

The 糖心视频logo native graduated this spring with a Master of Science in electrical and computer engineering after years of involvement in research projects, student leadership, and outreach initiatives across campus.

McNerny said he chose UA 糖心视频logo because of its strong academic environment and mentorship opportunities.

鈥淭he graduate school at UA 糖心视频logo is world class in terms of research, mentorship, and furthering education,鈥� he said.

During his time at UA 糖心视频logo, McNerny balanced advanced research with service that extended beyond the university to the broader community. At the Cyberspace Operations, Research and Education (CORE) Center, he designed virtual reality simulations of industrial control systems for the Consortium for Cyber Innovation. The work is supported by a grant from the Department of Energy focused on protecting critical energy infrastructure from cyberattacks.

He also used his interest in technology to improve public safety on campus. Drawing on his professional experience as a traffic safety specialist, he developed a technology designed to make crosswalks safer for pedestrians and wildlife.

His research explored how signals from vehicles and mobile devices could be detected near intersections, allowing the system to warn pedestrians and drivers of one another’s presence before they come into view. McNerny says these technologies could help reduce traffic accidents involving pedestrians and wildlife regardless of visibility, weather conditions, or existing safety infrastructure.

In addition to his research, McNerny has mentored fellow students and held leadership positions as chair and secretary of the Association for Computing Machinery student chapter.

His passion for technology education also led him to teach virtual reality and cybersecurity summer camps for K-12 students. Through programs hosted by the Emerging Analytics Center and GenCyber, McNerny introduced students to emerging technologies while encouraging thoughtful discussions about their ethical use.

鈥淚 am inspired by seeing how excited students are when they try VR for the first time,鈥� McNerny said. 鈥淓mpowering them with the tools to make their own worlds and seeing their creativity blossom is a reward in itself.鈥�

One of McNerny’s favorite college memories, he said, came during a trip to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where he and fellow students showcased an augmented reality game they developed called 鈥淪pook Splat.鈥�

While he has enjoyed opportunities to present projects and lead student organizations, some of his most meaningful experiences happened behind the scenes in the lab.

鈥淭hose quiet hours in the lab, not knowing if the project I had been working on for months would actually work,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hen resting on it and finding out how to fix the problem immediately the next day. Those moments are rare and meaningful.鈥�

After graduation, McNerny plans to pursue a career in engineering while continuing his research at the CORE Center. 

鈥淚f my work helps people feel safer and improves their quality of life in any way, I have made an impact,鈥� he said.

The post Engineering Graduate Advances Cybersecurity and Public Safety appeared first on News.

Drs. Ann Robinson and Monica Meadows of the UA 糖心视频logo School of Education recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to present at an invitational colloquium organized by the Children (NAGC) conference and hosted by the (AFT). As a national leader in research, professional learning, and advocacy for gifted and talented students, the NAGC partnered with the AFT 鈥� the nation鈥檚 second-largest teachers鈥� union, representing more than 1.7 million members 鈥� to bring together experts and educators dedicated to advancing opportunities for all students.

The , brought together educators, researchers, and policy leaders from across the country to address the increasing need for teacher preparation programs that enable educators to recognize and support gifted, creative, and talented students in today鈥檚 classrooms.

鈥淓very child deserves to learn something new every day 鈥� including advanced and precocious children and youth,鈥� Robinson, director of the Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education, said.

During the colloquium, UA 糖心视频logo was recognized as a national leader in gifted education and was invited to present its work to attendees. The university is one of only two undergraduate teacher preparation programs in the U.S. 鈥� alongside Purdue University 鈥� that requires a course in gifted education as part of the middle childhood education curriculum.

鈥淚t鈥檚 the combination of our faculty鈥檚 commitment and collaboration in both middle childhood and gifted education, along with innovative elements like a rigorous, year-long online residency and a required undergraduate course in gifted education, that sets our program apart. This is innovative thinking at its best,鈥� Robinson said.

The course that started the undergraduate gifted education initiative is GATE 40003, 鈥淕ifted, Creative, and Talented Education for Classroom Teachers,鈥� developed about five years ago through a collaborative effort led by Dr. Lundon Pinneo, coordinator of the middle childhood education program. The course was created after Arkansas changed its middle school teaching licensure requirements, creating space in the curriculum for additional specialized training. 

鈥淚 wanted to use that opportunity to better meet both state requirements and, more importantly, the needs of our students,鈥� Pinneo said.

Using feedback from mentor teachers and faculty, Pinneo identified key areas where future educators needed additional support. She reached out to Robinson to adapt graduate-level gifted-education concepts for undergraduate teacher candidates.

鈥淲ithout collaboration among faculty, the undergraduate course in gifted education at UA 糖心视频logo would never have taken place,鈥� Meadows said.

Since its introduction, the course has become a defining feature of the middle childhood education program, with faculty collaboration playing a critical role in its success. 

鈥淲e鈥檝e been given an exciting opportunity for our School of Education to take the lead in demonstrating to the rest of the country how important pre-service preparation programs are in filling the gap that can exist between general education and specialized gifted education,鈥� Robinson said. 

At the colloquium, organizers focused on the persistent 鈥済ap鈥� in educator preparation nationwide: while most teachers receive training to support students with disabilities, far fewer are prepared to recognize and meet the needs of advanced learners. Through their presentations, Robinson and Meadows offered UA 糖心视频logo’s approach as a model for addressing that challenge, demonstrating how gifted education can be integrated into undergraduate teacher preparation programs.

鈥淭here was a lot of excitement around the course and the work we shared at the colloquium,鈥� Meadows said. 鈥淧eople wanted to know how we made it happen, how students are responding to it, and how they might implement similar approaches at their own institutions.鈥�

As universities across the country examine how to prepare educators for classrooms with an ever-growing range of needs, the discussion shows the role gifted education can play in helping teachers recognize talent, tailor instruction, and best support students with advanced learning needs. 

鈥淧re-service teachers come to us with a wide range of experiences and abilities, and all students deserve to be both challenged and supported,鈥� Pinneo said. 鈥淥ur graduates are leaving the program with more tools to support the different learning needs of their future students.鈥�

The post UA 糖心视频logo Recognized Nationally for Innovative Gifted Education Program appeared first on News.

The program, created by the Arkansas Research Alliance and AR-NETWORK, provides funding, mentorship, and professional development support to faculty researchers across Arkansas.

The ERL Program provides $30,000 annually for up to two years along with professional development opportunities such as mentorship and proposal development training. The grant is designed to strengthen Arkansas researchers’ competitiveness for external funding and help grow sustainable research programs within the state.

Siraj said the award will play an important role in advancing her research program at UA 糖心视频logo.

鈥淩eceiving the ERL award is deeply meaningful to me and to the research program I am building at UA 糖心视频logo,鈥� Siraj said. 鈥淚 believe this opportunity will significantly strengthen my leadership capacity, proposal development skills, and ability to build and manage high-performing research teams.鈥�

Siraj鈥檚 research spans areas such as nanomedicine, lithium energy storage, and flexible electronic technologies. She plans to use the funding to support student researchers, expand research collaborations, and enhance the university鈥檚 research capabilities through new equipment and resources.

Siraj said she hopes the program will help her build stronger partnerships across Arkansas while advancing workforce development and innovation.

鈥淭hrough the ERL Program, I hope to build strong partnerships with state agencies and industry stakeholders to ensure that our research contributes meaningfully to Arkansas鈥檚 economy,鈥� Siraj said. 鈥淚 believe the program will provide an important platform for developing competitive research proposals and translational research strategies through interdisciplinary collaboration across Arkansas and other states.鈥�

Looking ahead, Siraj hopes her research will contribute to the development of sustainable energy technologies and support economic growth in Arkansas and beyond.

鈥淭hrough ERL mentorship and training, I aim to further mature this technology, strengthen federal grant proposals, and secure sustained external funding that will support continued research development, workforce training, and future commercialization efforts,鈥� she said.

The post UA 糖心视频logo鈥檚 Dr. Noureen Siraj Awarded Emerging Research Leaders Grant appeared first on News.

The public is invited to the event’s culminating Demo-and-Pitch Showcase from 2-5 p.m. June 12 in the Engineering and Information Technology Auditorium on the UA 糖心视频logo campus. Attendees will have the opportunity to see student teams present innovative healthcare solutions powered by artificial intelligence and vote for their favorite projects.

Hosted in partnership with BioVentures, Arkansas Children’s, and Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield, the weeklong program brings together students, healthcare professionals, technology experts, entrepreneurs, and mentors to develop solutions that could improve health outcomes across Arkansas.

“This is much more than a coding competition,” said Marla Johnson, tech entrepreneur-in-residence at UA 糖心视频logo. “Students are working like startup founders. They’re identifying customer needs, collaborating with healthcare professionals, building solutions with AI, and learning how to transform ideas into products that can improve lives.”

Throughout the week, participants will work in teams structured like startup companies while gaining experience in artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, product development, customer discovery, business strategy, and public speaking.

Teams will tackle a variety of healthcare challenges, including next-generation drug testing, early mental health intervention, maternal and infant health in rural Arkansas, empowering cancer survivors, advancing Black men’s health, helping Arkansans navigate healthcare coverage options, and exploring music therapy for older adults.

The experience extends beyond technology and entrepreneurship. Students will participate in activities designed to foster creativity, wellness, and community engagement, including a drumming circle with support from the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, a community-focused experience connected to the Black Men’s Health challenge, and a branding and art project in partnership with Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

Johnson said the event was created to help students see how innovation can be used to address meaningful challenges in their communities.

“We hope students leave with new skills, new relationships, and perhaps even the foundation for future startups,” Johnson said. “At UA 糖心视频logo, we genuinely care about the health and well-being of Arkansans. That’s why this experience exists. We want students to see how technology, entrepreneurship, and collaboration can create meaningful change.”

Organizers hope the event will spark new ideas, new partnerships, and potentially new ventures while helping students connect with like-minded peers from across the state who share a passion for innovation and service.

The Demo-and-Pitch Showcase on June 12 will feature presentations from all seven student teams as they compete for top honors and audience votes. Community members, educators, healthcare professionals, and technology leaders are encouraged to attend and support the next generation of Arkansas innovators.

Through initiatives like the AI Hackathon and HealthTech Startup Week, UA 糖心视频logo continues to create experiential learning opportunities that prepare students for future careers while advancing innovation and community impact throughout Arkansas.

The post AI Hackathon Brings Arkansas’ Top Student Innovators Together to Tackle Healthcare Challenges appeared first on News.

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鈥檚 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 糖心视频logo.

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

鈥淚t means a lot to me to graduate with my mother,鈥� Andrews said. 鈥淚 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.鈥�

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 糖心视频logo in 2017 unsure what to expect about college life and a populated, busy campus after he graduated from Maumelle Charter High School. 

鈥淢y graduating class had 25 students,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t was daunting to go to such a large institution in my eyes at the time.鈥�

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

鈥淭he small classroom sizes made the university feel like a second home,鈥� Andrews said. 鈥淚 built connections with my professors and found new friends quicker than I would have at a larger university.鈥�

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.

鈥淪he said, 鈥�I am thinking about going back to school,鈥欌�� Andrews recalled.

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

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 糖心视频logo, helping make it possible to complete her degree with little financial burden.

鈥淎s a first-generation student, I did not understand what the FAFSA was or where to find scholarships,鈥� Andrews said. 鈥淲hen I began working for the university as a recruiter, that knowledge came with the job.鈥�

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

鈥淧rofessionally, I felt it was important to enhance and modernize my skills in technology and leadership,鈥� she said. 鈥淧ersonally, I always encourage new therapists to continue their education, so I have to practice what I preach.鈥�

She said UA 糖心视频logo’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.

鈥淭heir critiques, reviews, and responses encouraged, validated, and inspired me to continue,鈥� 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.

鈥淪he went from being timid about returning to school to being excited about contributing to academia,鈥� he said. 鈥淣ow we have long discussions about AI in the classroom and communication in healthcare.鈥�

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.

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

For Johnson, the moment carried just as much meaning.

鈥淕raduating with my son meant the world to me,鈥� she said. 鈥淥ur journey was not easy, but it was worth the experience of completing such a big chapter in our lives.鈥�

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

鈥淚 hope our experience and our story inspire others to start their own exciting journey,鈥� 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.

鈥淗ow big would you dream if you knew you could never fail?鈥� he asked.

The post A Family Milestone: Mother and Son Graduate Together from UA 糖心视频logo appeared first on News.

Baker graduated with a Juris Doctor from the William H. Bowen School of Law at the University of Arkansas at 糖心视频logo. It follows a journey that took him from his home in Belgrade, Montana, to Benton, Arkansas.

鈥淎fter moving to Arkansas, I quickly grew to appreciate the state鈥檚 culture and Southern hospitality, making the decision to stay after graduation an easy one,鈥� Baker said.

Before attending Bowen, he earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in finance with a minor in English from the University of Minnesota Crookston. His interest in law developed through intellectual curiosity and a desire to help others. During his undergraduate studies, he became increasingly interested in criminal justice reform through coursework focused on mass incarceration, resocialization, and over-deterrence in nonviolent offenses.

鈥淚 wanted to challenge myself intellectually and pursue a career where I could make a meaningful difference in people鈥檚 lives,鈥� he said, explaining that law school was a good fit. As a first-generation law student, Baker said attending law school felt both unfamiliar and exciting. 鈥淚 wanted to build something new for myself and my family while pursuing a career centered on service, advocacy, and personal growth,鈥� he said.

Choosing to attend law school in Arkansas came after a period of profound loss. Baker wanted a fresh start after losing his grandmother, aunt, and mother within three months in 2021. While his 101-year-old grandmother had lived a long life, the deaths of his aunt and mother were unexpected. All three knew he planned to attend law school.

鈥淢y mother was especially proud that I was pursuing law school and potentially becoming the first lawyer in our family,鈥� he said. 鈥淪he always joked that I enjoyed arguing with people and was meant to become an attorney.鈥�

Baker said family loss changed his outlook and strengthened his resolve to study law.

鈥淐ompleting law school became important not only for me, but also for my mother, who had always been one of my biggest supporters,鈥� he said.

Baker attended Bowen full-time while focusing on clerkships, externships, and activities on and off campus. One of his most meaningful experiences was serving on Bowen鈥檚 National Mock Trial Team.

鈥淧articipating in Mock Trial pushed me outside of my comfort zone and helped me develop practical litigation skills,鈥� he said.聽

Baker served as the legal commentary editor for the Arkansas Journal of Social Change and Public Service. In that role, he worked with student writers while editing and publishing legal commentary pieces on a wide range of legal issues and perspectives.

In addition, Baker worked as a Rule XV clerk for the Pulaski County Public Defender鈥檚 Office, an experience that reinforced his commitment to public service.

鈥淲orking closely with indigent clients gave me a valuable perspective on client-centered advocacy, while my courtroom experience exposed me to the broader responsibilities attorneys and judges carry within the justice system,鈥� he said.

With law school complete, Baker is now preparing for the bar exam.

鈥淎s a nontraditional law student who returned to college after time away from school, graduating from law school is something I am deeply proud of,鈥� he said.

Baker believes the experiences and hardships he has faced will continue to shape the way he approaches the legal profession.

鈥淚 believe those experiences will help me become a more empathetic attorney and better relate to clients who are facing hardships in their own lives,鈥� he said, adding that he carried a picture of his mother during graduation as a reminder of her support and encouragement.

Baker said having his father and brother attend graduation meant a great deal to him. He also credited Professor Pat Harris, Professor Terrance Cain, attorney Lloyd Warford, and the attorneys and staff at the Pulaski County Public Defender鈥檚 Office for helping shape his law school experience.

鈥淓ach of them challenged me in different ways, encouraged my professional growth, and provided practical guidance that extended beyond the classroom,鈥� he said.

Looking ahead, Baker encourages future law students to remain open to unexpected opportunities and challenges.

鈥淪ometimes the areas that push you outside of your comfort zone end up being the most rewarding,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hen I started law school, I thought I wanted to practice transactional and business law. Over time, I realized that I was much more drawn to courtroom advocacy and litigation.鈥�

The post From Loss to Purpose: Cory Baker’s Law School Journey Defined by Growth appeared first on News.

Although she always knew she wanted to attend college, Eanes didn鈥檛 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,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檝e always enjoyed my English classes, and I used to write 鈥榖ooks鈥� when I was a kid, as well as being an avid reader.鈥�

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鈥檝e 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,鈥� Eanes said. 鈥淚 also really appreciate Dr. (Earnest) Cox, Dr. (Kris) McAbee, and Professor (Jeffrey) Condran for their mentorship on my senior thesis. I鈥檝e had a lot of really amazing professors who don鈥檛 get enough credit for all they do.”

Professor Condran, a UA 糖心视频logo creative writing instructor, praised Eanes鈥� 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 鈥� it’s going to be special.”

Eanes is now a third-generation UA 糖心视频logo 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 糖心视频logo, and I鈥檓 so happy with how I鈥檝e grown as a person and student,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 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.”

The post Writing Her Next Chapter: Josie Eanes Builds on Family Tradition at UA 糖心视频logo appeared first on News.

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 鈥渋t鈥檚 the only thing I really knew.鈥� But his college experience expanded far beyond the classroom. One of the defining moments of his time at UA 糖心视频logo came when he studied abroad.

鈥淕ot to study abroad for a semester in Sweden 鈥� that was life-changing,鈥� 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 鈥済row with myself on my own terms. Unregimented. Unobserved. Free.鈥�

“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,鈥� he said, adding that he also traveled with friends to Gothenburg, Stockholm, and Malm枚. 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.

鈥淚’ve been in a few plays, and that’s really fulfilling,鈥� he said. 鈥淗IR and Fairview are the stand-outs.鈥�

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

鈥淵ou’re creating a person, and that’s a very delicate process,鈥� he said. 鈥淪tage partners need to trust one another unconditionally, so it’s such a wonderfully vulnerable moment.鈥�

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 鈥渟mart, driven, talented, and an accomplished singer and excellent actor.鈥�

Dr. Lorissa Mason, assistant professor of music and director of choral activities at UA 糖心视频logo, praised Bear鈥檚 curiosity and determination.

Bear has 鈥渁 deep appreciation for literature and the written word,鈥� she said. 鈥淗is 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.鈥�

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.  鈥漇tudying 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,鈥� 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.

鈥淣ow the real learning begins, as I start to build connections in a city that is foreign to me,鈥� he said.

The post UA 糖心视频logo Graduate Lawson Bear Finds a New Calling in Theater appeared first on News.

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

鈥淕etting these degrees represents years of commitment, resilience, and personal and professional growth,鈥� he said. 鈥淔or me, this is about more than higher education 鈥� it represents perseverance, purpose, and my commitment to my family, my peers, and becoming more knowledgeable in how I serve others through my work.鈥�

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Hockaday鈥檚 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 鈥� a retired Air Force veteran and police officer 鈥� 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. 

鈥淏eing 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,鈥� Hockaday said. 鈥淚 hope I鈥檓 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.鈥�

Family has been a steady source of strength throughout Hockaday鈥檚 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鈥檚 disease linked to Agent Orange exposure during service in South Vietnam. Before his passing, his father encouraged him to complete his degree鈥攁 promise Hockaday kept.

鈥淚t was hard, I almost quit school. My mother and wife both told me to press on, and that is what my dad would want,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 also wanted to set an example for my son and to show him that when life is tough, you don鈥檛 quit, you persevere through it, and fight. That鈥檚 exactly what I did, and now I鈥檓 graduating with honors.鈥�

That drive carried into the classroom, where Hockaday鈥檚 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.

鈥淔our years ago, a female student was complaining about police officers and saying that she didn鈥檛 like cops. I told her that I鈥檓 a cop, and she looked me dead in the eye and said, 鈥楬ockaday, you are one of us!鈥� 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,鈥� 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鈥� rights, leading with compassion, and recognizing that every person鈥檚 story and circumstances are different.

鈥淎s 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,鈥� said Hockaday.

With two degrees in hand, Hockaday plans to continue his father鈥檚 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.

鈥淚 know my dad is looking down on me from heaven,鈥� he said, 鈥渟aying 鈥榃ell done son, I鈥檓 proud of you鈥�.鈥�

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