THE FORUM: November/December 2023

THE FORUM

November/December 2023

The University of Arkanasas at Little Rock’s Student Newspaper

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Higher Pay for Teachers Means Higher Graduation Rates

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n 2023, a study found that when teachers were paid more the graduation rate for students was higher. You may ask, “Why is this?” First, let us discuss why teachers’ pay would need to be raised. It has been known that low pay has been a big factor in causing the current teacher shortages.

The United States has a teacher shortage, which leaves roughly three unfilled teaching positions per school and over 200,000 classrooms without a qualified teacher, according to learner.com, an online tutoring company.

Other reasons for the teacher shortage include a high burnout rate among teachers, with a 44% burnout rate reported, and a “notable attrition rate double that of countries with strong education systems like Finland and Singapore, states learner.com.

The COVID-19 pandemic 2

Story: Angel Hovis and economic challenges have resulted in a 55% rate of educators considering leaving their position. This may also be due to the poor compensation for the many hours and heaps of energy they put into teaching.

The National Center for Education Statistics showed that in 2010-2011, when a teacher’s average salary was $56,069, the graduation rate was 79%. Then, in 2019-2020, when a teacher’s average salary increased to $64,133 the graduation rate was 87% – an 8% increase in the graduation rate. In order to make the correlation between teacher salaries and the graduation rate, the Learner used the Pearson Correlation Coefficient.

The Pearson Correlation Coefficient is a “statistical measure that quantifies the strength and direction of a linear relationship between two continuous variables,” according to learner.com.

The value range is -1 to 1.

Learner.com also explains that “a coefficient close to one implies a strong positive correlation, meaning if one variable increases, the other also tends to increase.”

A coefficient close to -1 would indicate a negative correlation, meaning one variable would increase and the other would decrease. Little to no linear relationship between variables would be represented by a coefficient close to zero.

With this, the Learner was able to correlate higher teacher salaries to increases in graduation rates for a total of 46 states. Even though the salaries for the teachers may be higher, that doesn’t mean that an increased graduation rate is guaranteed. There are several other factors that could also be intertwined with this.

Other factors include the cost of living associated with higher teacher salaries, the allocation of educational funds of each state; and state

education policies, curriculum standards and community and parental support, which play a major role in the academic success of students. However, the connection made between the other factors is not as strong as the correlation between teachers’ salaries and an increase in graduation rates.

THE FORUM, November/December 2023

Jacobb Nichol THE FORUM, November/December 2023

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Unveiling Brilliance: UA Little Rock’s Triumph in Honoring Exceptional Alumni

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Business Information Systems degree, both earned at UALR. The Dean’s Award for Excellence, tailored for graduates within the last decade, honored Bland’s budding leadership prowess within the business and nonprofit domains. His active involvement in the service of Little Rock and UALR underscores a commitment to not just personal growth but also the nurturing of his community.

The festivities were further elevated as UALR presented Dr. Ashvin Vibhakar with the Harper W. Boyd Jr. Professor of Excellence Award.

This recognition cemented Dr. Vibhakar’s dedication and expertise, a demonstration to his tireless efforts in fostering excellence within the academic realm.

Dr. Vibhakar’s remarkable journey spans continents and disciplines, holding a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from M.S. University, an MBA from Central Missouri State University and a doctorate in finance from the University of Arkansas. Joining UALR in 1981, he honed his leadership as an assistant professor and later directed the Institute for Economic

Advancement. Venturing to the Charter Financial Analyst Institute in Hong Kong, his global impact spanned 54 countries as managing director.

Yet, his legacy transcends accolades as he serves on the CFA Institute Board and Arvest Bank’s board, and drives initiatives like the Governor’s Economic Advisory Council and the Arkansas Promise steering committee.

Returning to UALR, Dr. Vibhakar’s commitment to education, global outreach and youth empowerment remains a cornerstone, illustrating a life dedicated to shaping futures and fostering change across borders and disciplines. His influence as Joe T. Ford Chair of Finance at UALR echoes a commitment to mentorship and global citizenship. Dr. Vibhakar’s legacy resonates as a testament to the transformative power of education, service and a relentless pursuit of positive change.

Amidst the celebration and recognition, the fundraising event became a nexus, drawing together businesses from across Arkansas. The afternoon unfolded in an aura of camaraderie and support, fortified by the delicious spread

graciously provided by the School of Business and the Marriott Little Rock hotel.

The sumptuous luncheon acted as a backdrop to the event’s true essence, uniting diverse entities in a shared mission to empower and uplift.

This gathering wasn’t just about accolades or a meal; it embodied the essence of community, collaboration and a shared vision for a brighter future. It exemplified the power of education, in shaping not just individuals, but also the collective landscape of businesses and communities.

As the echoes of clinkin glasses and animated conversations faded, the legacy of the Distinguished Alumni Luncheon persisted. It reflected the indomitable spirit of those who dare to dream, achieve and generously give back. It was a reminder that success, when combined with service, becomes a beacon guiding others toward greatness.

The Oct. 20 luncheon wasn’t merely an event; it was a celebration of legacy and the transformative power of education, and a rallying call for future leaders to rise and make their mark on the world.

Provided

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he air buzzed with anticipation and pride on Oct. 20, as the UA Little Rock School of Business orchestrated its annual masterpiece: the Distinguished Alumni Luncheon. Held at the elegant enclave of the Little Rock Marriott, this event stood as a testament to the indelible mark left by remarkable individuals within the business sphere.

At the heart of this celebration were Rodney Abston and Wesley Bland, shining stars in their own right, honored for their exceptional contributions.

Abston, a luminary figure and the senior vice president and market executive for Regions Bank, stood tall as the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. Abston’s narrative intertwined with UALR in 2001 when he pursued and earned his Master of Business Administration degree, setting the stage for a journey marked by professional excellence and community service.

The Distinguished Alumni Award, the apex recognition bestowed by the School of Business, reverberated with Abston’s name, evidence of his profound impact within the business realm and his dedicated service to both the Little Rock community and UALR. His story echoes the essence of achievement woven with a commitment to giving back, a beacon inspiring future generations of business leaders.

Alongside Abston, the spotlight graced Bland, a figure emblematic of the promising talent nurtured within UALR. Bland, a double alumnus of the institution and currently the manager of data engineering for Priority1, stood tall as the recipient of the Dean’s Award for Excellence. His educational voyage included a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and a Master of Science in

S t o r y : S at h i G u l l e d g e

THE FORUM, November/December 2023

approached, there was a fusion of camaraderie and of accomplishment that skill enhancement that left JOLT Cyber Challenge 8sense transcended mere scores or During the electrifying stretch from Oct. 6-8, the UA Little Rock campus became a hub of pulsating energy and intense focus as the JOLT Cyber Challenge took center stage. This weekend-long cybersecurity showdown attracted students from various clubs and backgrounds, uniting them in a shared pursuit of knowledge, skill and triumph.

As the challenge unfolded over these three action-packed days, teams comprising high school students, college-goers and professionals convened, each team a powerhouse of four individuals ready to tackle the labyrinth of cyber challenges.

Among the throngs of participants stood the UA Little Rock ACM chapter, alongside fellow clubs from the campus, poised to seize the opportunities that lay ahead. Anticipation mingled with determination as the challenge commenced,

with everyone bracing themselves for the unknown.

Yet, as the hours ticked by and the competition intensified, something remarkable occurred. The ACM chapter and other university clubs found themselves not just coping but excelling in the face of intricate cyber riddles and technical conundrums.

Collaboration was the order of the day, with teams synergizing their strengths, sharing insights and navigating the digital terrain with prowess.

The air buzzed with enthusiasm and a collective drive to conquer the challenges thrown their way.

Throughout these eventful days, participants discovered untapped potentials within themselves and their teams.

The camaraderie among diverse minds and skill sets was a testament to the unifying force of the JOLT Cyber Challenge.

As the final hours of Oct.

rankings. The experience had been transformative – a journey of growth, learning and the forging of enduring connections.

The days of Oct. 6-8 were not merely about a challenge; they were an odyssey, a

an indelible mark on the participants. For the UA Little Rock ACM chapter and the other campus clubs, these three days were a celebration of resilience, teamwork and the spirit of embracing challenges head-on.

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S t o r y : S at h i G u l l e d g e

Day’s Donation Brings New Scholarships for Master of Public Administration Students at UA Little Rock S t o r y : M a d i s o n S t o l z e r - C ava n au g h

THE FORUM, November/December 2023

as executive director of Port of Little Rock, Day is also an adjunct professor at UA Little Rock in the MPA program. In this program, he teaches Urban Management which is a graduate course.

This scholarship is very important to Day, as he sees UA Little Rock as one of Central Arkansas’ best assets.

“As a local government official, having a university in our town is a very valuable and very much appreciated asset,” he explained.

The scholarship will help students with school-related expenses like tuition, books, fees and room and board for students in the MPA program.

He has also donated another $5,000 that will award a $1,000 scholarship to an MPA

student for the next five years.

“We support students, businesses, communities, and the local economy,” stated Day. “I hope as the community

continues to grow and evolve, that we as a community will have a better appreciation for everything UA Little Rock brings to Central Arkansas.”

Jacobb Nichol

UA Little Rock alumnus Bryan Day has prepared a gift for UA Little Rock, estimated to be worth $150,000, to start the Bryan M. Day Endowed Scholarship for Master of Public Administration (MPA) students.

Day is currently executive director of Port of Little Rock, and has worked in state and local government for 35 years.

Day is a graduate from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, having received his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice in 1986 and Master of Public Administration in 1994.

“I have been very blessed in my career,” said Day. He owes his success to his education at UA Little Rock and hopes to give that experience to his students as well.

Along with his career

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Jacobb Nichol

NATIONAL HOMELESS YOUTH AWARENESS MONTH Story: Angel Hovis November is the month where National Homeless Youth Awareness (NHYAM) is talked about. NHYAM was a resolution passed by Congress in 2007. It is a time where we, as a community, take into consideration the large number of youth who are homeless and try to figure out ways that we can prevent future youth from becoming homeless.

Whether they become homeless from economical difficulties or have run away, McKinney-Vento broadly defines homeless youth in an article as “individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.”

This includes children and youth who share housing with others from loss of housing, economic hardship or similar reason; live in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations; live in an emergency, transitional shelter or an abandoned hospital; utilize public or private places not typically used as a regular

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sleeping accommodation; or live in cars, at parks and other public spaces, abandoned buildings, etc., and are migratory children living in one of the above circumstances.

At least 19 states explicitly define the term “runaway” in both criminal and civil statutes.

Each year, an estimated 4.2 million youth and young adults experience homelessness in the U.S. National Survey data reflects that homelessness affects youth living in rural, suburban and urban communities at similar rates.

A study conducted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in 2022 found, in a single night, 30,090 unaccompanied youth that were counted as homeless.

In this number, 91% of them were between the ages of 18-24 and the remaining 9% (2,695 children) were under the age of 18. Research shows that about 7% of youth, or 1.5 million children and youth adults, run away each year.

What may be the reasons for a high percentage of homeless

youth? There are many causes of youth homelessness such as family conflicts, economic circumstances, youth who identify as LGBTQ+, pregnant and parenting youth and youth of color – in particular, African-American and Native American youth. It has also been found that youth who have been involved with child welfare and the juvenile justice systems are more likely to become homeless.

Youth most often run away from home and become homeless due to family conflicts, abuse and/or neglect.

This is an issue, because many youth who become homeless can experience significant trauma and become vulnerable to the dangers in the world, such as becoming victims of sexual trafficking and exploitation.

Some ways that many communities around the world have tried to decrease the percentage of homeless youth and young adults is by prioritizing family reunification or support as the initial intervention for youth. They

seek to improve the crisis response to serve both youth and young adults, expand their reach and effectiveness of housing programs for homeless young adults and develop an effective systemic response.

Now these examples would not essentially get rid of homeless youth and young adults, but it could aid in decreasing the current number of homeless youth and young adults.

THE FORUM, November/December 2023

Native American Heritage Month Story: Stanley Sike Native Americans are unarguably the earliest Americans in the United States who first encountered the heroic Spanish Voyage Explorer, Christopher Columbus in the late 14th century.

There has been savvy evidence that presents Native Americans as the earliest Americans in the United States, judging from historical accounts, and why they are celebrated in the month of November.

The Native Americans’ historical struggle during the American Discovery and the shackles that they were subjected to in the exploitation and marginalization of their lands and properties should be discussed, and subsequently, the causation that offer credible insight in the activities that are of paramount concern to their relevance in the modern-day America society.

Examining a discourse of this nature will require a little historical fact as the article will unravel Native Americans’ plight, significant role and contribution they have played in the building of America.

The former president of the United State, George W. Bush declared the month of November as National American Indian Heritage Month on Aug. 3, 1990, also known as Native American Heritage Month.

Since then, all organizations and governmental parastatals have shown their support in celebration of Native American heritage in this month. The Library of Congress, alongside with the National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum all join to pay tributes to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans.

Owing to the rich ancestry beliefs, culture and traditions THE FORUM, November/December 2023

are a very important way to mark Native Americans’ existence. Indigenous tradition and religious beliefs, rooted from ancestry rituals, are also displayed in this month bringing together both Native and non-native Americans to participate in the Pow Wows events that honor Native American veterans. During this celebration, a rich Indian dance called Stomp Dance is blissfully displayed by many eastern woodlands and southeastern tribes to grace the ritual traditional harvest season.

Art and history are another important way to celebrate Native Americans.

Art is an exploration of Native Americans’ beauty and their aesthetic credence. But history is to honor Native communities in memory of their fallen heroes who fought to keep American borders from external enemies.

Indian Americans are also pertinent in World War II and were exposed in many deadly battles, fighting both as American military troops and defending tribal sovereignty especially in the invasion of Normandy and the liberation of the Philippines and Belgium in the battle against Bulge.

Indian Americans were also active in the American Revolutionary War, but they fought in both sides. However, many Indian Americans were neutral in this war because they believed victory over Britain in pursuit of American independence would lead to further encroachment of their lands. Some fought on the side of the British against the American patriots, while others joined the American patriots to fight against Great Britain.

Books often present the unsaid meaning behind the struggles of indigenous Native tribes, who suffered at the hand of their colonizers. One of Stephen Graham Jones’ books titled “My heart Chainsaw” details Native Americans and harsh treatment in the

exploitation and enslavement of Native Americans during European colonization. “The Seed Keeper” by Diane Wilson is another book that specifically speaks about the treatment of Native American women.

Native Americans have often been remembered in this month to commemorate their struggle in the barbaric experience they faced during European colonization of the Americas and their fusion with the early English migrants.

Historically, Native Americans were already living in America before America’s discovery. Wallace Birgitta, (2006) noted that “the Vikings from the Scandinavia who earlier settled on the North America coast, between 10th and 11 centuries, in Greenland and the Newfoundland, present day Canada were indigenous people that are today referred to as Native Americans.”

They were the first to occupy the American territories from the Bering Land Bridge between eastern Siberia to present day Alaska. In the early 16th century, Native Americans were already occupying Virginia territory before the mass migration of English settlers from Britain that niche the creation of the transplanted English society in America in 1606.

The fusion of Native Americans and English migrants during the reign of King James I in 1606 resulted in peaceful co-existence. Firstly, the harmony strengthens the relationship between Native Americans and English migrants. Secondly, it affected a viable economy ranging from blacksmithing and windmills industries, to farming and planting of cash crops.

Native Americans enslavement through European colonization of the Americas in 1492 resulted in a precipitous decline in Native Americans population. Though, many scholars and researchers have

condemned this inhuman treatment against Native Americans. For instance, a senior correspondent writer, Dylan Matthew (2014), describes the enslavement of Native Americans homicide as the greatest crime in the history of the western Hemisphere, which is basically, the American Indian genocide.

Admittedly, a reformist historian, Kirkpatrick Sale (1990) presents the hawkish ugly polarizing perspective of Native Americans and their homes as a tyrannical scoundrel conquest of European imperialist movement.

Together, Mathew and Sale’s condemnation of European colonization against Native Americans have come under strict scrutiny/review.

Robert Carle (2018) noted that the barbarism meted on Native Americans have led to a long list of colleges and universities in the U.S. that celebrate Indigenous People’s Day instead of Columbus Day. On Indigenous People’s Day, these schools dropped Columbus Day celebration in their calendars and replaced it with Native American Day.

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Smash a car fundraiserJacobb Nichol

THE FORUM, November/December 2023

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Sustainability at UA Little Rock Story: Stanley Sike

THE FORUM, November/December 2023

after UALR built a power generation plant on campus in 2015, which is an important part of the university’s initiative to significantly reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

Since the recent UALR campus construction, trees have been cut down to make way for new buildings and sidewalks.

Despite possible options by school management and construction workers to reduce the impact on trees, several students have voiced their concerns as the construction continues. They argued that uprooting trees on campus takes away the beauty of the school. However, wood waste from these trees were recycled to benefit us in various ways.

The UALR recycling program covers paper and furniture recycling, therefore, these trees were recycled and used for paper and building

materials. According to a news article from THV11, a UALR senior turned trees cut down on the campus into tables for students. Another news article from NWA Online reports that a grant from the George W. Donaghey Foundation will pay for a $5.5 million project that involves adding campus trees and enhancing campus lighting, and waste from these trees will be reused after recycling them in the form of tables and chairs.

A new UALR Ceremony boulder has been built close to the main entrance of the school campus, across from Lot 13. The large boulder that has been used as a gathering place for students and faculty since the existence of the school has now been moved from its old location.

Students’ names are carved on rocks along with painted messages and symbols on various events such as graduation and homecoming.

A student in the biochemistry department who graduated in the fall of 2022 inscribed his name on the same rock that his grandfather, who graduated 55 years ago, used. This is another significant impact of UALR sustainability, the marking of a rich symbolic tradition of the school harnessing students’ civic and academic pledge during completion of their studies is a significant sustainable credence.

This is a way to mark the rich civic tradition of the school and the Sustainability Committee has dedicated themselves effortlessly to this responsibility. History is appreciated in the pride students take in their civic life. Keeping our academic environment clean, safe, healthy, productive and natural is everyone’s responsibility. Sustainability is important for us to thrive and attain academic excellence.

Cassi Pinnon

The word sustainability often invokes the term earth and environmental preservation.

However, the focus will be shifted toward recycling and renewable use of waste properties, a job performed by the UA Little Rock Committee on Sustainability.

It is a job tailored to creating a sense of well-being among students on campus. It is these skills of social interests from committee planning to facility management implementation measures which cut across energy, agriculture, health and nature, and produce the benefits of renewable substances from recycling waste.

UA Little Rock’s reuse of waste materials such as fluorescent bulbs, ballast, motor oil, paper, batteries and tires undergo a recycling process for renewable use.

According to WasteCare Corporation, about 700 million fluorescent bulbs are discarded every year. Thus, UA Little Rock created a recycling program for fluorescent lamps and bulbs that addresses this problem. Since then, the program has been managed by the UALR Facility Management Department in partnership with the State Marketing & Redistribution.

Although recycling is the best preferred disposal method for fluorescent bulbs or mercury containing lamps, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) strongly recommends that fluorescent bulbs be recycled.

If they are disposed of with solid waste, they could potentially release elemental mercury through breakage or leakage which essentially contaminates our food chain.

Admittedly, the cost of recycling fluorescent bulbs is very cheap. Recycling is also more efficient than consuming energy saving lightning because it cuts down energy consumption which, again, saves money. There has been a remarkable energy sustenance

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UA LITTLE ROCK WELCOMES NEW ENGINEERING PROFESSOR SHWETA DABETWAR Story: Stanley Sike

UA Little Rock is welcoming a professor into the School of Engineering and Engineering Technology. Dr. Shweta U. Dabetwar began her academic assignments into the Mechanical Engineering programs in the fall of 2023, and has brought with her an incomparable expertise that will incorporate artificial intelligence in materials through stunning research.

Unarguably, Dr. Dabetwar is a perfect fit in the UALR engineering programs due to her academic exploits, works, awards, research discoveries, publication and teaching experiences.

Dr. Dabetwar’s knowledge stood against impossibilities. “My research focuses on diagnostics of composite materials using AI,” said Dr. Dabetwar.

“This can be applied to any size of structure from the micro level to bridges and airplanes. The problem with composite materials is that you cannot see the damage with the naked eye. This research helps detect damage and predicts how long the component is going to survive.”

Dean of the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Dr. Lawrence Whitman stated, “Dr. Dabetwar’s research has the potential to radically change our future.”

Since her career, many of her works and research have witnessed publication limelight. One of her recent publications is titled “Mass Imbalance Diagnostics in Wind 10

Turbines using Deep Learning with Data Augmentation,” completed alongside a group of other researchers.

After receiving her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Mumbai, Dr. Dabetwar taught several engineering courses.

She assisted instructors by creating class presentations, preparing and reviewing syllabi, providing visual aids, supplemental notes and completed project evaluations.

She was also a one-time volunteer activist with the Indian Student Association at Texas Technical University in 2019, and is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineering (ASME) since 2019, the International Society for Optics and Photonics (SPIE) since February 2023 and a volunteer for WindSTAR at the University of Massachusetts Lowell in 2022.

During her graduate programs, she assisted in researching a product design and development lab at Texas Technical University.

Her research of prognostics framework led her to experimenting with data of carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites.

She performed signal processing on lamp waves signals to locate faulty signatures for efficient damage detection of composite materials.

While using MATLAB, a programming platform used by engineers and scientists, she formalized data fusion framework

and

image encoding.

Many of these research broke new grounds for her PhD programs While obtaining her Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering at TTU, she dedicated work in many fields: Structural Health Monitoring, Prognostics Diagnostics, Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning and Deep Learning Signal Processing, Damage Detection and more.

Dr. Dabetwar’s transition has been amazingly smooth since she joined UALR as an assistant professor. “The faculty in UALR is extremely helpful and accommodating,” she said.

She is currently focusing on building a lab called “Materials Intelligence and Prognostics (MIP). In an interview, she explained that the research will examine research projects in the domain of prognostics and structural health.

She maintained profusely that the MIP lab will undertake various projects in the future depending on the funding power. “I have two intelligent students working with me, one undergraduate student and one graduate student, and an additional one more coming for a PhD program,” she said.

Dr. Dabetwar is determined not only to change the research involvement, but also to create a poignant adventure in increasing research knowledge that would be put to clever use across various departments in the faculty of engineering.

Despite her career pursuit at UALR, she is looking forward to helping the community in

the implementation of teaching that would encourage and increase women’s participation in STEM. This selfless service would cut across the biggest lab goal in the coming year.

“I am planning to attend a few workshops so that I can use the knowledge gained to contribute and foster progress for my departments,” said Dr. Dabetwar. Besides being an academic professor, she is committed to empowering women, and her goal is to mentor young women and support them in providing direction to their career.

THE FORUM, November/December 2023

AFRICAN STUDENTS STUDYING AT UA LITTLE ROCK Story: Stanley Sike

States, UALR is ranked #390 according to the U.S. News & World Report, and #209 as a best public research school both in global and the nation’s index report 2024. According to the report by the Journal of Higher Education in 2013, African students studying at UALR make up 3.5% of all international students in the U.S. Between 2006 and 2014, the number of African students pursuing post-secondary degrees grew dramatically.

UALR offers opportunities to African students who want to pursue their education in any discipline of their choice.

A TV News report stated that about 400 African students are currently studying at UALR, and Nigerians make up the majority of African students studying at UALR. A few of them received scholarships as they pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and others attend with financial

aides, loans and grants.

According to Vanguard reporter Ebunoluwa Sessou in this article: https://www. vanguardngr.com/2022/09/13000-nigerian-students-pursueus-degrees/ “Nearly 13,000 Nigerian graduates and undergraduates students are currently seeking admission into universities in the United States across 1000 US universities.”

UALR Graduate Student Oluwakemi Olayinka from Nigeria shared her experience adapting to a U.S. university.

She said, “Acclimating to the intricacies of Blackboard, a platform unfamiliar to me, prior to my enrollment presented a distinct set of difficulties for me.”

Olayinka explained that the unfamiliarity with Blackboard functionalities added a new set of troubles leading to a decline in her grades. This was a major adjustment she had to make, as it is a

phenomenon unfamiliar to the educational system in Nigeria.

Compared to her undergraduate program in Nigeria, she described her experience with Blackboard as a menace that would forever remain memorable to her during her academic journey at UALR. According to her, the Blackboard platform, which is a major component of the school and students’ access to all of their courses and coursework, feedback and grades, was a peculiar dilemma to her.

“Unknown to me, a month after the commencement of my studies at UALR, there were several assignments and discussions, and an array of presentations that were already past due dates that I did not know about because I was not familiar with Blackboard,” stated Olayinka. She eventually sought help from UALR support centers and other Nigerians who have been studying at

Via Pexels

Going to another country to study is a serious decision that requires assiduous efforts and several adjustments and measures as the new culture and educational system may pose some challenges.

International students often hit walls to find an edge in adapting to new life while studying abroad. Many African students studying at UALR have recounted their experiences, and shockingly, the endnote to all of these experiences is rewarding. College education is a smart investment, but earning a degree does not come easily, and requires one to take their degree seriously, regardless of what one studies. Whether it’s rewarding or not is anyone’s prerogative. Regardless of the degree a student may be pursuing – bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate – it will likely pay off in the end.

Among the nearly 4,000 universities across the United

THE FORUM, November/December 2023

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UALR long before her. In the next semester, she familiarized herself with Blackboard and her grades picked up again.

I remembered having similar issues in the spring of 2022 when I first enrolled at UALR. I had troubles identifying due dates in submitting assignments, including posting discussions and attempting quizzes.

This issue, perhaps, is a major challenge and tough adjustment that most Africans encounter in their firstyear enrollment at UALR. The academic structure at UALR adheres strictly to a specified timeframe, unlike the academic system in Nigeria, which has been affected by a protracted inconsistency of national issues between Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASSU).

This usually led to time inefficiency in course completion. Chimezie Godwin, another Nigerian student who pursued a Bachelor of Science in Zoology in Nigeria and completed his Master of Education in Learning Systems Technology Education at UALR, said that the streamlined approach at UALR not only fosters a more focused and efficient learning environment, but also enables students to establish clear timelines for subsequent studies and career development.

Chimezie Godwin stated, “UALR ensures that all courses are covered within the designated time frame.”

He posited that the academic structure system at UALR places Africans at the edge of success as opposed to the rigorous hardship they face while studying in African institutions.

For instance, in Nigerian universities, as noted by Chimezie Godwin, there has been an ugly menace in the interruption of academic programs caused by incessant strikes following students union issues.

Some Africans, especially Nigerians, confirmed these

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strikes across and explained that they may last for about one to two years resulting in students’ frustrations. This plaques their academic destinies and results in loss of their future ambition. According to Olayinka, the absence of academic disruption at UALR allows for a more predictable and structured academic experience, facilitating better planning for students in their future endeavors.

Alumna Victoria Ogechi Godwin, who studied in the School of Mass Communication at UALR, said that the classroom dynamics at UALR are remarkably different from the educational landscape in Nigeria.

This was particularly in the areas of flexibility, infrastructure, learning accessibility and utilization of technology. Education systems in Nigeria may foster a more rigid structure, like monitoring attendance which often affects students’ overall grades.

“UALR offers a more adaptable approach,” stated Victoria Godwin. Olayinka agreed and said, “Lecturers and instructors at UALR provide students with the autonomy to choose between attending classes in person or accessing content online, allowing a level of flexibility that lets students work around their academic schedules at their convenience which promotes students’ personal learning experiences.”

However, Victoria Godwin explained that navigating through her academic journey at UALR posed several challenges, with a formidable substantial workload inherent in her course. She lamented at first, as she could hardly understand her instructors because of their accents. In Nigeria instructors’ often code mix and code switch from standard English to dialectal language that students speak fluently and understand.

Counselor Hyginus Ukadike, at UALR’s Counseling Services, is a Nigerian who started working as a psychological and career counselor in 2001 after he

completed his Bachelor of Philosophy and Master of Social Work at UALR. He is now honored to serve as part of the support system for students both on the main campus and at the Bowen School of Law. In 2021, he was appointed by the Arkansas Supreme Court to serve on the Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program (JLAP) Committee.

For ten years, he taught the first-year experience course that was designed to provide a solid foundation for freshman students at UALR in addition to his social work training..

Ukadike explained that classes in Nigeria are larger and contain students from Nigeria alone, compared to UALR that contains different students from different countries of the world.

He said, “Studying at UALR holds profound significance for me compared to pursuing education in Nigeria, primarily due to the heightened level of flexibility, infrastructure and the robust support system available to students.”

According to Ukadike, education in Nigeria also poses financial constraints for students which serve as a significant barrier to their education.

The numerous scholarships and other financial opportunities at UALR do not only ease the financial burden on students, but also serve as a powerful motivator, which was something Ukadike discussed.

The prospect of obtaining scholarships towards one education creates a conducive environment for academic focus and dedication. Olayinka added that the scarcity of such educational opportunities in Nigeria can pose a significant hindrance to the educational aspirations of many students.

Ukadike and Olayinka together affirmed that the robust support system at UALR, encompassing academic resources, counseling services and a flexible learning environment contributes to an enriched educational experience.

Adeolu Oluremi is another Nigerian who is

currently pursuing a doctorate in applied bioscience. He said that UALR is the right school for him, because his research interests align with the school’s programs.

Chimezie Godwin had earlier stressed the same notion when he was studying for his master’s while living in Alabama. According to Chimezie Godwin, he used to drive from Alabama to Arkansas for his master’s program, because colleges in Alabama did not have the credibility in meeting his teaching studies requirement.

Conclusively, studying at UALR signifies not only a commitment to education, but also an embrace of an educational system that prioritizes inclusive sensitivity, direction, purpose, support and opportunities through a myriad of scholarships, financial support, digital accessibility. It is a learning infrastructure that fosters a conducive academic environment for academic success and future readiness that will pay off in abundance.

THE FORUM, November/December 2023

ENTERTAINMENT

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: KIEL THORTON S t o r y : M a d i s o n S t o l z e r - C ava n au g h

THE FORUM, November/December 2023

and living in Nashville for a couple of years, that he realized he wanted to pursue a career in higher education.

“I’ve always really really enjoyed teaching,” Thorlton said remembering what pushed him to get his masters. “Well if I want to do that, and teach at a higher level, then I have to have a terminal degree.”

Shortly after getting accepted into many graduate programs, Thorlton and his wife discovered that they would also be expecting their first little one. This lead them to decided on a school in a location where they felt comfortable to raise a child. Landing on Virginia Beach, Thorlton attended Regent University to pursue his Masters in Fine Arts.

“I wanna tell my stories,” Thorlton said. “All I’ve wanted to do is tell stories.”

While in graduate school, working full time, and taking care of two kids at home, Thorlton began writing his first feature film in 2016. That

year would mark the six year long project of his first feature film, A Place Called Home.

A Place Called Home was released in December of 2022. The film follows a young dad after the tragic loss of his wife as he is left to raise two kids on his own. After finding himself in fincial struggles, the father gets involved with shady loan sharks to help support his family, ultimately putting him in further trouble.

A Place Called Home is available for purchase on Amazon Prime Video and Itunes, along with online at Walmart and Best Buy. Thorlton takes pride in his film work, crediting that to why he believes it brings out the best in his teaching.

Thorlton said, “You want to have faculty that are doing the work, you don’t want to have faculty that just studied it.” He continues by saying, “I would be doing a disservice to my students if I wasn’t doing the work as well.”

Outside of teaching and filmwork, Thorlton is an active father to four kids. They go on a family road trip every summer that he plans in detail, traveling to places like Indiana, Saint Louis and Texas just to name a few. Even while balancing a busy schedule during the school year, he dedicates his Fridays to his homeschooled children and calls it “learning day with dad.”

Thorlton is grateful for all that he is able to accomplish in his career, but priortizes the time he spends with family above anything else, saying “the time is priceless.”

Provided

University of Arkansas at Little Rock Mass Communication professor Kiel Thorlton is passionate about teaching, however his life outside of education he dedicates as one of his greatest pride and joys.

Thorlton joined the Mass Communication department at UA Little Rock in the summer of 2020. Along with taking on the role of becoming a professor, Thorlton became the universities official ESPN coordinating producer.

In regards to his education, Thorlton graduated from Campbellsville University with a double major in film and theater and a minor in sports ministry. After graduating he moved from his home state of Kentucky to Tennessee to pursue a career in film.

Thorlton recalls always having had a heart for teaching, due to coaching youth sport since the age of 17. However, it wasn’t until after getting married to his wife in 2012

13

1989 Taylor’s Version: Shake it Off with Taylor Swift’s Timeless Hits Story: Adison Cummings

“Can’t stop, won’t stop moving, it’s like I got this music in my mind saying…” go listen to 1989 TV. 1989 was the next album that received the Taylor’s Version treatment, which many people were ecstatic for. This album already consisted of major hits such as “Style,” “Blank Space,” and “Bad Blood.”

Many believed she could not improve on these songs, but in my opinion, she delivered.

Every single song on the album rereleased on Oct. 27. There is not only a change in Taylor’s singing, but also the subtle, yet very noticeable changes in each song. Some of the more controversial changes include the introductions in “Style” and “New Romantics.”

Many argue that these changes make the song sound

completely different, and ruin the original feeling they provided. I absolutely love the changes, and the fact that the songs not only sound crisper, but show her development since the original 1989 was released.

Whether or not you like the changes to the original songs, one can not argue against the fact that the vault songs Taylor released are exquisite. Not only do Swifties love the songs, we love the path it took to find out what the songs were.

Taylor’s vault track releases are always a fun and exciting game, where Taylor finds a special way to release the song titles. It is often in the form of a puzzle for Swifties to decode.

This vault was no different, and people were so involved it began to break Google. Finally, once it was decoded, the song

titles were as follows: “Slut,” “Now That We Don’t Talk,” “Say Don’t Go,” “Is it Over Now” and “Suburban Legends.”

Out of five of the vault songs introduced, my personal favorites are “Now That We Don’t Talk” and “Say Don’t Go.” Taylor was so real when she said “I called my mom and she said it was for the best…” in her vault song “Now That We Don’t Talk.”

Many argue these vault songs sound like Midnights, Taylor’s newest album she released. However, my rebuttal to that is that 1989 came out long before Midnights.

What we really need to discuss is the one song on this album featuring another person. Obviously, Taylor had to recreate the iconic track that is “Bad Blood” ft.

Kendrick Lamar. This is the only song that has a feature on this album…as of now.

Now that we have 1989 TV, now we just have to sit back and wait to see what Taylor surprises us with, whether it is a new album, another rerecording or a music video for 1989 TV. One thing we do know for sure is that the answer to the question, “Is It Over Now” is no.

Provided 14

THE FORUM, November/December 2023

SHAKESPEARE IN SONG Story: Rian Newman

On Nov. 30, 2023, the School of Literary and Performing Arts presented Shakespeare in Song, a choral performance that took you on a journey through Shakespeare’s repertoire.

From friendship, death, love and betrayal, the choral ensembles led you through an unforgettable magical night.

The program was split into five parts, each of them starting with a spoken quote by narrator Mattie Calhoun. Part I of the program began with a quote from Twelfth Night, “If music be the food of love, play on; Give me excess of it, that, surfeiting, The appetite may sicken and so die.”

The Women’s Chorus graced us with their presence, first singing “Come Unto These Yellow Sands.” It was a light and cheery start to the concert.

This song comes from the play The Tempest. It is an invitation to a mystical place, which is very fitting for the concert.

Part II begins with a quote from Henry V, “O for a Muse of Fire that would ascend The brightest heaven of invention, A kingdom for a stage, princes to act And monarchs to behold the swelling scene!”

After a wonderful introduction from the Women’s Chorus, the UA Little Rock Chamber Singers were next singing “When Daffodils Begin to Peer” from The Winter’s Tale. The soprano and tenor parts were striking in this piece.

The harmonies were intricate, and it felt like listening to flowers bloom as spring begins.

Soloists Kyndal Collins and Brent Foster II did amazing, showing off their beautiful vocals.

The next piece sung by the concert choir, “Tell Me Where is Fancy Bred,” begs the THE FORUM, November/December 2023

question of where the feeling of love and desire comes from.

How is it formed? “In the heart, or in the head?” The song, from the play The Merchant of Venice, has a lush, full sound that makes it warm and inviting.

The Women’s Choir came back on stage with the song “Hey Ho, the Wind and the Rain” from Twelfth Night.

A charming song that starts with a loud declaration similar to that of the trumpets of the women singing “Hey, Ho!” The piece was engaging, and the singers visibly had a lot of fun singing it. The song takes you through the ups and downs of life. Both love and betrayal, joy and melancholy.

Next, the Women’s Chorus took you through the magical fairyland of A Midsummer Night’s Dream with the song “Over Hill, Over Dale.” You can hear in the piano notes the way the fairies move about.

Pianist Professor Leann Jones and the singers tell a story of the fantastical world of fairies and the loyalty they have towards their Fairy Queen. It was easy to imagine the fairies going about their duties to serve their queen, such as leaving drops of dew on the grass. The song was intriguing and left you with a sense of wonder. And that closed Part II of the program.

Part III brings about themes of bitterness and revenge with the quote from Merchant of Venice, “If you prick us, do we not bleed?

If you tickle us, do we not laugh?

If you poison us, do we not die?

And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?”

The Women’s Chorus began Part III with the song “Blow, Blow thou Winter Wind” which recounted the frailties of friendship. It describes how even the harsh winds of winter are more bearable than fake friendships.

The chamber singers took the stage to sing an eerie piece from Macbeth. “Double,

Double Toil and Trouble” is drawn from the chant of the witches in Act IV, Scene 1 of Macbeth, as they gather around their cauldron, prophesying of the impending doom that will come to Macbeth.

The song is frightening but intriguing, especially as you listen to the interesting ingredients of this dark spell being cast. The singers crept toward the audience as they sang, the audience becoming visibly uncomfortable but also amused. The singers’ animation and facial expressions are what sold the song. It was incredible to see.

Part IV opened with a quote from Hamlet: “To die, to sleep; to sleep, perchance to dream” Soloist Andrew Battie took the stage to sing “Come Away Death” from Twelfth Night.

It was an emotional piece of music. Although the title of the song may suggest something different, according to the program notes by Professor Leann Jones, death is used as a metaphor to explain the feeling of love that is not returned.

Battie’s beautiful baritone voice carried the yearning and wistfulness of unrequited love.

The next performer was the small ensemble Night Shift, singing “Full Fathom Five” from The Tempest.

The haunting piece is sung in the play by Ariel, who tells Prince Ferdinand his father has died by drowning. You could feel the melancholy of the piece. Although haunting, it was full of grief.

The singers were so engaged with the song, physically taking deep breaths together, so in tune with each other.

The bass part was stunning.

You could feel the reverb of the low notes in your chest. It can be hard to convey a haunting sort of grief but the singers did so flawlessly. According to Lance Beckman’s program notes, the song also reflects

the theme of transformation.

Although a sad time in the play, things are being renewed and change is happening.

Chamber singers take the stage after Night Shift with “Let Fall the Windows of Mine Eyes,” a trio of songs all from different plays. First is “Ophelia’s Lament” from Hamlet.

The song was heartbreaking, to say the least.

In the play, when this is sung, Ophelia mourns the loss of her father. The singers expressed such raw emotion that it was impossible not to feel it.

Next was “My Watchful Soul” from the play Richard III. According to program notes by Ashley Magdziarz, the song is quite literally about a ghost that leads Richard, the main character of the play, to victory in battle. Soloist Saige Kelly, a powerhouse, led the song, her voice filling the auditorium. The unique chords of this piece created a ringing in your ear. It was incredible.

Last in this trio of songs was “...to weep…” from King John.

It was an emotional piece. The singers’ vocals filled the space with a euphony of beautiful notes, lyrics and chords. Brent Foster II and Kamryn Collins both delivered gorgeous solos.

To close Part IV, Chamber Singers sing “And Will A’ Not Come Again?” from Hamlet. This song is also sung by the character Ophelia as she continues the mourning of her father.

According to program notes by Bailey Ginn, Ophelia begins to realize the permanency of death. The song draws back to the central themes of the play of grief that can send you into hysteria and the “incomprehensibility of loss.”

These all play a part in Ophelia’s eventual death by drowning.

The final section of the concert opens with two quotes.

The first from Romeo and Juliet, “Love is a smoke rais’d 15

with the fume of sighs; Being purg’d, a fire sparkling in a lover’s eyes; Being vex’d, a seas nourish’d with lovers’ tears; What is it else?

A madness most discreet, A choking gall and a preserving sweet.”

Then another quote from one of Shakespeare’s famous sonnets, Sonnet 151, “Love is too young to know what conscience is, Yet who knows not conscience is born of love?”

Mezzo-soprano Elizabeth Guerrero begins Part V with a stunning solo of “Greensleeves.”

She is accompanied by Frank Thurmond, who plays the lute, a traditional instrument very commonly played in the background of Shakespeare’s plays. It was a unique historical touch to the performance. Guerrero’s strong vocals, accompanied by the delicate instrument, created a nice balance and a lovely performance.

Next was soprano Analise McKenzie singing “Take O Take Those Lips Away.” A beautifully well-done solo.

McKenzie’s voice is piercing and she makes it look effortless.

Kennis Ellis takes the stage, singing “O Mistress Mine” from Twelfth Night.

Ellis told a story as he sang, adding character and charm to the song. The UALR Concert Choir takes the stage next to sing “O Mistress Mine,” this time with a much more wistful sound to it. The song talks about living life to the fullest and taking advantage of youth and love. Youth is fleeting, so hold onto it and enjoy it.

The Concert Choir then sings “It was a Lover and His Lass.” This song comes from the play As You Like It. The song is playful and tells a story of young love in the countryside.

You couldn’t help but smile when listening to this song.

The Concert Choir continues with the song “Sylvia” from The Two Gentlemen of Verona. The song first asks the question, ‘Who is Sylvia?’ Everyone loves Sylvia, but why? The song takes you on the journey of falling in love. There is hesitancy and questioning at first, then intrigue as you grow to know

her more. Then finally there is a confirmation that Sylvia is the one and the singers do an excellent job of conveying this.

Christian Waldron follows this performance by singing “Sylvia,” but in German.

It was interesting to hear a different version of the song, not only melody-wise but also the language. The version of the song was cheery and lighthearted, almost as if the person singing it had already fallen in love with Sylvia.

The concert concludes with the song “Scurvy Tune” from The Tempest. While Sylvia may be admired and have garlands brought to her, no one cared for Kate, and they all preferred if she would “go hang.” The singers were interactive, moving about the stage like drunken sailors.

There was humor to this performance and it was a stark contrast to the more dark themes of the play. It also created a contrast to the more serious themes explored during the choir concert as well. The song was a brilliant finish to a wonderful concert.

This concert was a

collaboration of the music and English departments within the School of Literary and Performing Arts. Program notes were done by Dr. Paul Crutcher, Dr. Kris McAbee and English students, which helped guide the audience through the performance. It gave them context for each of the songs and plays they were from, so the performances could be enjoyed to their fullest capabilities.

After the performers did their bows and waved goodbye to their audience, the rush from what you experienced was hard to let go of. Though the songs were all from different plays, Dr. Mason put together a beautiful program that still told a story.

Drawing from themes of life we have all dealt with—love, death, grief and friendship. The concert was cathartic and healing for the soul. Yet again, the UALR Choral Ensembles took their audience on a magical journey through music and left a lasting impression. The power of song should never be underestimated.

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From Panem to the Capitol - Exploring the Prequel: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Story: Adison Cummings Suzanne Collins first introduced the world to Panem in the Hunger Games series, which revolutionized the world into a dystopian era. Now, thirteen years later, Collins reintroduced us back into this world, but 65 years prior to the Katniss Everdeen era. We get to see the origin of one of the best villains: President Snow.

The movie, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, first presents to us a glimpse into the ‘dark days’ as mentioned in the Hunger Games universe, where the Capitol went through hard times due to the first rebellion of the districts.

Then we see the Capitol in its reconstruction phase 10 years later, on the eve of the 10th hunger games.

President Snow’s family is still recovering from the war, but is deep in financial ruin.

Snow is on the path to fix this.

We then witness the reaping for the 10th Hunger Games and we are introduced

to arguably, one of the scariest villains, the Head Gamemaker: Dr. Volumnia Gaul.

They are trying to improve upon the Hunger Games to keep them going and Snow is at the forefront of this effort.

Lucy Gray Baird is then reaped from District 12, where she proves herself to be a standout tribute compared to the rest.

Then being brought to the Capitol, they are thrown into the arena (those that remain at least) and fight to the death. Standout characters introduced in this section are Wovey, Reaper and Dill.

These remaining tributes are killed by the rainbow mutts Dr. Gaul created one of the first muttations introduced in the series. Lucy Gray is the victor and then we find out Snow was caught for cheating to help Lucy Gray to win and is then sent to District 12 to become a peacekeeper as punishment.

While there, Snow uncovers a plot of rebellion

in the district and reports it to Gaul. Then, to avoid any repercussions, Snow decides to run away with Lucy Gray.

While in the process, Snow reveals he has killed multiple people and Lucy decides to leave him. He goes insane in the woods, he cannot find her, and he hides the evidence of the murder. Afterwards, he returns to the Capitol and is restored to his status by Dr. Gaul and begins his descent into the madman we see in the original Hunger Games series.

In the era of prequels, many underperform, but that is not the case here, especially with all of the references from the original movies. What is even better about this movie is to see how Coryo begins his descent into President Coriolanus Snow.

His descent into lying, deceit and his venomous path similar to that of a dangerous snake.

One of the best parts of this was how well Tom Blyth represented this descent. Rachel

Zegler also gave an iconic performance in this movie as Lucy Gray Baird and one of the absolute best part of this movie is Viola Davis’s performance as Dr. Volumnia Gaul. She definitely played the character well to showcase her insanity and cruelty against the districts.

Out of the five movies that have been created based upon the world of Panem, this definitely ranks in the top three.

For myself, I would definitely rank them as listed: 1. Catching Fire, 2. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, 3. Mockingjay Pt. 2, 4. The Hunger Games and 5. Mockingjay Pt. 1.

One of the most iconic parts of this movie is Lucy Gray last moment is that she tells Snow she is going to look for Katniss, he says that it isn’t ready yet, but she still leaves and Snow never finds Katniss until 65 years later. I know that when he heard her name called out in the reaping of the 74th Hunger Games, Snow melted.

INCLUSIVITY AT CITY SILO TABLE + PANTRY S t o r y : Va s t i H e r n a n d e z When researching brunch places for a quick trip to Northwest Arkansas before the semester began, I stumbled upon a page announcing the opening of City Silo Table + Pantry, a restaurant in Little Rock. I immediately knew I needed to try it, as the advertisement itself was inviting and it was a chance to try something new rather than my usuals here in Little Rock. So, one weekend I decided to give it a try and was not disappointed.

City Silo is located near the Promenade at Chenal. Their website states that their goal is to “serve re-imagined comfort food, created with wholesome, clean ingredients.” I enjoy home cooked meals more than I do a meal out, but this place seemed promising. When I THE FORUM, November/December 2023

walked into the restaurant, it was filled with natural lighting, a bright interior and had a small section of products for purchase at the entrance.

When I got there the line was long, but moved fairly quickly, which allowed me to sit at a table near a window with a nice view. I ordered the Hippie Scramble, which was a bowl that consisted of two scrambled eggs, sweet potatoes, black and kidney beans, kale and brown rice.

The menu showed that it was also supposed to have a serrano avocado spread and quinoa, which I did not see in the bowl.

Nonetheless, it was a hearty meal that left me satisfied.

The mix was perfect for me, as it is something I would make at home. I topped it with

Cholula sauce, which tied together all of the ingredients.

Personally, I would have asked for quinoa instead of rice, and added some avocado.

However, I really enjoyed the bowl and still think about it.

Their menu offers so many different plates. They serve breakfast all day with items such as burritos and yogurt bowls.

They also serve different toast spreads, salads, acai bowls, hearty bowls, tacos, burgers and sandwiches. I wasn’t able to try their coffee, but I am planning on going back for round two.

Basically, they have something for everyone, which can be hard to find sometimes when considering different dietary restrictions or preferences.

Aside from the food options, the environment

always plays a large role when recommending a restaurant.

The staff were all friendly and welcoming, not rushing customers when ordering or eating. They are also open Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m.-8 p.m., which is a big plus, and open on Sundays from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Overall, I would recommend City Silo and cannot wait to try different menu items.

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Arkansas Cinema Society and Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Brings Classic Holiday Motion Pictures Back to The Big Screen S t o r y : M a d i s o n S t o l z e r - C ava n au g h Local film organization Arkansas Cinema Society (ACS) has brought classic Christmas movies and popular films back to the big screen once again, with some films making their first appearance on the big screen ever.

The showing events are taking place in the newly constructed Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, commonly called AMFA. Some of the films shown have been popular classic holiday selections such as The Holiday and White Christmas Singalong.

Others shown were seen for the first time on the big screen such as the live Broadway production of Hamilton and Christmas Angel, a new film directed by Arkansas native LazRael Lison.

If you have not checked out the gorgeous AMFA, you are surely missing out.

The newly constructed building opened in April of this year and provides many opportunities for Arkansas locals to get involved in varied aspects of the arts.

AMFA offers many different

art classes in ceramics, drawing, glasswork and metal work, just to name a few.

If you are not interested in learning a new craft but are still looking for a fun night out, the facility has an on-site restaurant called Park Grill, a museum that houses beautiful works of art from around the world and a children’s theater that puts on live familyfriendly performances. There are also various events that AMFA hosts on its property, just like the movie showings in partnership with the Arkansas Cinema Society.

According to online quotes published on the Arkansas Cinema Society website, Chairman of the Board and founder, Jeff Nichols, addresses why ACS was founded.

“We created the Arkansas Cinema Society as a way to bring film and filmmakers to the state of Arkansas,” said Nichols.

“We are building a series into a state-wide network of theaters to screen films in places they may not usually take place.”

AMFA was selected to be one of those theaters, bringing you the recent movie nights

that have taken place there.

The work put in to produce movie night showings goes way back to when AMFA was still being constructed.

According to ACS Resident Curator and Programer, Chris Robinson, meetings with the museum’s directors have been taking place since early 2020.

The discussions Robinson had with the museum directors revolved around whether AMFA was a good fit for constructing a screening area to put film showings on the big screen.

Taking into consideration AMFAs children’s theater, and not wanting to interfere with the productivity of their space. During the facility construction, Robinson went in and made sure that the theater space was functional for screenings, by looking at things like proper airflow, getting suitable surround sound speakers installed, and getting Boston Light and Sound to assist with the theater build.

ACS has been having occasional screenings at AMFA since they opened this year.

They not only showcase popular films, but they also have a big

role in putting on local Arkansas films produced and directed

by Arkansans. Along with showing at AMFA, Arkansas Cinema Society has pop-up showings around Arkansas.

They have put on films at Arkansas Crystal Bridges Musume, Ron Robinson Theater and other locations around the natural state.

Even if you missed out on some of the most popular films shown at AMFA these past two months, you still have a chance to catch The Grinch (2018) in the museum’s theater. The movie will be playing on Tuesday, December 19, at 3:00 p.m. Tickets range from $5 to $10 and can be purchased on the ACS website, arkansascinemasociey. org. It will be sure to get you in the holiday spirit!

Arkansas Cinema Society is currently working on film plans for upcoming 2024. So, even if you don’t make it to The Grinch this December, you might be able to catch another film favorite of yours on the big screen next year.

Campus tailgate Jacobb Nichol 18

THE FORUM, November/December 2023

Campus Treasure Hunt Homecoming Event Interrupted Due to Stolen Clue S t o r y : M a d i s o n S t o l z e r - C ava n au g h Amy Johnson so that players could complete the event.

The hunt sent students and willing participants all around campus to various destinations such as East Hall, the Ottenheimer Library, Ross Hall, and many more to collect a total of 10 clues that made the university mascot.

Several campus departments took part in the game by curating their own clues.

“Everyone [the departments] wanted to get

in on homecoming,” said Johnson. “Really have students stop by for a fun activity.”

The Trojan Hunt has been a part of UA Little Rocks Homecoming week for two years now. Participants could join the hunt for fun or because they are competing for a chance at the Trojan Cup, awarded to the group that has the most points at the end of homecoming week.

UA Little Rocks CLC was the first to complete the

Trojan Hunt. The Little Rock BCM did not let the missing clue stop them from finishing the event, as they completed the hunt with one less clue card to finish the mascot.

Madison Sttolzer-Cavanaugh

UA Little Rock homecoming week got kicked off on Nov 6, with the campus treasure hunt. The Trojan Hunt was sadly cut short for some due to clue five being stolen from the 4th floor of Stabler Hall.

Upon discovering the missing clue, the student experience center was informed. This led to clue five being published on the Trojan Engage app and Instagram by Student Experience Center development specialist,

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19

Round Two of Nexus Gilmore Girls Trivia S t o r y : Va s t i H e r n a n d e z Is it really your favorite show, or is it a comfort show?

Nexus Coffee and Creative challenged my knowledge of all things “Gilmore Girls,” a popular TV show during the fall season. I attended the trivia night about two years ago with Forum Writer Vivian Angeles. Back then, I knew very little about the show but somehow felt confident enough to play. Since then, I have made it to Season 6 and felt as though I was somewhat better equipped this time around. However, I was wrong.

Upon arrival at Nexus, there was a large line and

almost all the seating was occupied – and this was 2030 minutes before the game started. They were serving coffee and allowed attendees to make their teams. Angeles and I ordered our coffee and chai, and found some seating. We felt a lot better than we did the first year, and hoped that the hosts would not ask challenging questions. After the first round out of four, we began to hope that we would at least get one question right per round.

The game was a lot of fun, despite not knowing as much as other teams, but I still knew more than I did two years

ago. After each round, they gave us the answers, which were usually received with an “I knew it” or “no way.”

The hosts and teams overall had a fun time watching and hearing everyone’s reactions.

Nexus provided such a cozy atmosphere along with the laughs, and was a place where teams of all ages could gather and have some downtime after a long day. It was the perfect break from schoolwork and such a fun time, even if we didn’t win. The winning team was a team of two who had missed very few questions, but appeared very surprised to

find out they were the winners.

Nexus has hosted other trivia nights in the past, such as Harry Potter or Christmas movies trivia. They are bound to have something for you and your friends, even if you aren’t very confident in the subject matter. The trivia nights are free which is great for college students or anyone wanting to find something fun on a weekday night that fits within their budget. Plus, the coffee and chai are always promising.

So whether or not your team wins, rest assured that it will be a fun and memorable night.

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THE FORUM, November/December 2023

T H E 2 0 2 3 H O L I D AY A R T SALE: ANOTHER YEAR, ANOTHER SUCCESS Story: Alexis McAlister

tables. A lot of the vendors were art students, but several were art professors (or past professors) and alumni. There were also tables set up with hot cocoa and

said, “At least double this year, we have about 70 this year, in past years probably 25 to 30.”

AnDi also talks about how they did more marketing pushes this

sold, whether they’re 3D or 2D, realistic or stylized, stickers or full canvases or even tissue boxes made to look like cakes. There is a warm cup of cocoa in your hand and a pleasant atmosphere fills the space. This November, the School of Art and Design hosted its annual Holiday Art Sale, a major success and an amazing opportunity for artists!

The day before the sale, the art department hosted three types of Open House Demos.

My friend and fellow Forum writer, Angel Hovis, took part in these demos, which featured lessons in art history, screenprinting, and bronze pouring!

These lessons were all roughly an hour long or less, and Angel said it was a lot of fun! These demos give people who aren’t necessarily art students a chance to learn new things about art!

On the actual day of the sale, Saturday, Nov. 11, the building was packed with booths and vendors. The sale ran from 9 am to 3 pm, giving patrons plenty of time to peruse the many corridors lined with

decorated Christmas cookies.

I had the opportunity to talk with AnDi Tompkins, the school’s Art Outreach Specialist, who touched on the bigger number of vendors this year compared to last year. She

year, and how they’ve been getting different types of people coming in, whether they’re members of the community, alumni, or future art majors!

The art booths were full of different kinds of pieces, always

THE FORUM, November/December 2023

accompanied by a friendly face ready to share the art they love. Ashi Franke-Loftus, an art student and ceramics enthusiast, said, “I want people to treasure them as much as I do…and I can tell that people are falling in love with them.”

When asked if their art was originally made for themselves or for the sale, many vendors had different things to say.

Loftus explained that this year they made the pieces with the intent to sell them and tried to make things that people would want in their homes.

Franke said, “I’m trying to raise money to go to my first ceramics conference in March called NCECA,” She continues, “It’s expensive to get into the arts… and if you want to further yourself you have to invest, and whenever you do a sale like this you give the community an opportunity to invest in you.”

Max Hodges, one of the few textile sellers there, had

Jacobb Nichol

Imagine walking through corridors lined with artists’ tables, each one decorated and full of handcrafted artworks.

A variety of pieces are being

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Provided

a table filled with a plethora of crochet bags, beaded bracelets, journals, scrunchies and complimentary stickers displaying Hodges’ logo.

The booth was accompanied by a large sign that read “MAXX MAKES.” Hodges told me that the plan had always been to sell their items and had tried to sell online in the past.

Hodges said, “The holiday sale is a perfect opportunity because I didn’t have to pay a venue price and all the proceeds are going to me.” Other than creating to sell, many other vendors said the artwork was made for themselves or were even past assignments!

Emma Estelle Chambers, a local artist and another ceramics seller, said, “The intent is for myself, but then I release my work into the world.” We laughed and said it was almost like fostering pets, and she agreed. Like so many of the

22

artists at the sale, Chambers’ pieces were incredibly unique.

She explains, “I go around Arkansas. I’ve been to Bauxite, Malvern and Hot Springs. And I collect rocks and minerals and then I grind them up to make a pigment and then I use that pigment to make paints and glazes.” Chambers uses a part of Arkansas in every ceramics piece.

Every artist brought something unique to the table, some even sharing parts of their culture through their art. Gracelyn Johnson, a photographer and visual artist, was selling prints of her photos, a couple of which showcased part of her Mayan heritage.

On the print of three black panthers, Johnson had this to say, “The black panther, is technically the black jaguar, and is a very scared animal to Mayans.

She is the spiritual guide for Ixchel, she is the goddess of

women, fertility, and power.

These panthers have the role of leading people into the afterlife through cenotes (an underground pond), so I have my three Mayan protectors of peace, power, and protection.

In the background, I have the Mayan Calendar.” While some of her work expresses her culture, many others address issues of mental health, womanhood, the pink tax and LGBTQ+ themes.

UA Little Rock’s School of Art and Design has hosted yet another successful art sale, with this year’s having more vendors and a bigger outreach to the community. It’s a wonderful opportunity for artists to showcase their work, earn profits, and familiarize themselves with selling their work. It’s also a great place to expose artwork to the local community, as well supporting local artists! The Holiday Sale not only benefits

everyone but creates the perfect environment for people to share their love of the arts!

Artists Mentioned: @ a s h i d e s i g n s @emma.estelle.artist @ m a x x _ m a k e s @graciellaisabella.artworks

THE FORUM, November/December 2023

OPINION

DISABILITY ON CAMPUS: HOW YOU CAN HELP Story: Azita Hakkak Hello, fellow students, faculty and staff!

I want to talk to you about an important issue that many of you may not have thought about.

I would like to discuss with you how our fellow students, staff, and faculty with physical disabilities may feel on campus.

Any of us can experience a short term physical disability, while others have to learn to live with disability for their entire lives.

There non-functional push buttons around the campus. It might be an inconvenience for some of us, THE FORUM, November/December 2023

because we are carrying too many things in our hands, but for others, these push buttons mean access to the building.

If these buttons don’t work properly, a person with a disability may have to stay outside in the cold, rain or heat until someone shows up and opens the door for them.

If a button is non-functional, it should be reported to UA Little Rock facilities management by filling the form on their website, ualr.edu/facilities.

In the residence halls, the only push buttons are available on

the back side of the building.

To help with this, people could regularly check the back door to make sure nobody is stuck outside of the building. There are doors on campus not suitable for push-buttons, but eventually, they could be changed to make the UA Little Rock campus accessible to everyone.

If you see an obstacle that would block the path for a person in a wheelchair, try to remove the obstacles or report it to facilities management. A person in a wheelchair won’t be able to remove these obstacles. In

addition, if a professor has an office that is not accessible to a wheelchair, the professor could contact the university set up an alternative way to meet with the students in person.

Many of these changes require significant financial investment, but it is necessary to improve access for people with physical disability on our campus.

We all can be part of the solution.

We can show our colleagues with disability we care.

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CONTRIBUTORS @55kylar

@emlywlls

@iamvastihernandez

@rian_willow

SKYLAR BOONE

EMILY WELLS

VASTI HERNANDEZ

RIAN NEWMAN

Executive Editor

Executive Editor

Executive Editor

Marketing mgr.

CASSI PINNON Illustrator

ADISON CUMMINGS

JACOBB NICHOL

@cummings_adison

@stonerplazaxx__

Writer

Photographer

DANIEL BREEN Advisor

@mp.cavanaugh

Writer

Writer

SATHI GULLEDGE

MADISON STOLZERCAVANAUGH

STANLEY SIKE

AZITA HAKKAK

Writer

Writer

Writer

ANGEL HOVIS

Writer

ALEXIS MCALISTER

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