The Forum: August 22nd

Zabelle Stodola co-edited a recently published book that discusses a little known but bitterly contested war waged against a Native American tribe in Minnesota. The book, which is titled “A Thrilling Narrative of Indian Captivity: Dispatches from the Dakota War,” remembers the Dakota tribe’s 1862 struggle against the U.S. military to commemorate its 150th anniversary.

Health Sciences Professor Nita Copeland was given a Blackboard Exemplary Course Catalyst Award at the Blackboard World Conference last month in New Orleans. The award recognizes Copeland’s development of her online course, Structural Kinesiology. The award recognizes Copeland for her development of her online course, Structural Kinesiology.

Brad King resigned from his position as chief of the UALR Department of Public Safety to take a job with the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training. His last day at the UALR Department of Public Safety is Aug. 31, King said. He has been employed with the university for 12 and half years.

The Department of Construction Management and Civil and Construction Engineering has announced that it will offer two new degree programs beginning this fall, which will be A B.S. in Architectural and Construction Engineering and a M.S. in Construction Management.

Send news tips and information for news in a flash to editor@ualr.edu.

To keep up with news and happenings at UALR, be sure to visit ualr.edu/ forum often!

Tech Park rethinks locale Board asks for input from neighborhood

The Little Rock Technology Park Authority Board has recently accepted recommendations for alternate construction sites in lieu of a six-month study of locations that would not require the use of eminent domain to displace local citizens.

During the Spring 2012 academic semester, The Forum reported on a percolating eminent domain matter that was attracting media attention across the state and incurring quite a controversy among certain sects of property rights enthusiasts. Board members representing the Little Rock Technology Park Authority convened and reconvened to discuss plans to begin the first phase of the project, which the organization’s website states should cost around $45 million.

Phase one includes three steps: 1. the acquisition of land; 2. master planning and construction of site infrastructure; 3. development of the first building(s).

The controversy is the same now as it was then: concern for the wellbeing of the community. These concerns spur

from the possibility of citizen displacement if the Authority chooses to use eminent domain to acquire the roughly 60 acres of land within five minutes (driving time) of its university sponsors, UALR and UAMS. The City of Little Rock, the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Arkansas Children’s Hospital also sponsor the LRTP.

After nearly a year of having their ears filled with the concerns of several hundred homeowners and others opposed to such action (eminent domain), the board is considering other options.

According to a Aug. 1 Arkansas Times cover story by Managing Editor Leslie Newell Peacock, “their newfound openness was brought about by an ordinance proposed by City Director Dean Kumpuris and passed in June that point to fears in Ward 2 that the Authority would exercise its power of eminent domain to remove unwilling residents from their homes.”

The story, which is titled “Location, Location, Location: 10 places to put the Technology Park that won’t require people upheaval,” features

TECHNOLOGY, continued on page 3

Master Plan takes step toward completion

Construction crews completed some of the major construction projects included in the Campus Master Plan while most students were on summer break, including the new Student One-Stop Center and Coleman Sports and Recreation Complex. The buildings were some of the many projects first slated by the Campus Master Plan, which was devised

as a “10-year vision for the physical development of the university” that was devised originally devised in 2005.

“The master plan lays the groundwork for a rich physical environment that, along with excellent instruction, research, and public service programs, will draw students and community members to the campus,” according to the university’s website. “In keeping with UALR’s mission as a metropolitan university, the

master plan forges clear connections with the surrounding community, strengthening the University’s role as a cultural and economic resource to the region.”

The Recreation and Sports Complex, which features facilities for intramural and intercollegiate activities such as track and field and soccer, was completed in time to meet its updated September 2012 deadline (according to

See CONSTRUCTION, page 3

Bowen names interim dean, search goes on

Liz Fox Entertainment Editor

Paula Casey, a professor at the UALR William H. Bowen School of Law, assumed the position of interim dean upon Dean DiPippa’s receiving Emeritus status earlier this summer.

Casey, whose position was announced in February, is to serve as interim dean until the national search for DiPippa’s replacement comes to a close.

“We’re steering a pretty good course,” she said in a recent news release. “Dean DiPippa was a great leader, and he did a really good job for us.”

After being raised in a small Arkansas town, Casey went on to graduate in 1973 from East Central University of Oklahoma with her bachelor’s degree. Four years later she obtained her JD from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville School of Law, and soon became a professor at the UALR William H. Bowen School of Law. While teaching, she also served as an associate dean from 1986 until 1991.

After leaving Bowen in the mid-1990s, Casey served as United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, a

DEAN, page 3

Sta Editorial

Rejected safety initiative idles money away

Eight months have passed since the Trojan Trolleys were introduced as a safety initiative.

When introduced, a five-year contract was signed by UALR for Arkansas Destinations to operate the service. However, an escape clause was part of the contract that would allow UALR out of the agreement after one-year if it was deemed necessary.

With about 13,000 fee-paying students, the cost averages to about $23 per student each year, not including the cost of fuel. But considering the ever-present empty seats on the trolleys the cost is astounding.

While part of the reasoning behind the trolleys coming to campus was to relieve the walk from outlying parking lots, we all know what the major purpose was: a public relations stunt following the murder of UALR student Patricia Guardado, who went missing after parking in an off campus parking lot across University Avenue, last October. The campus had an upheaval on their hands and introducing the trolleys was a way to calm students’ nerves. The goal of providing a sense of security for students might have had good intentions, but the program has failed miserably.

It might have been a good idea, in

theory. The hope was that students would use the service. But that has not happened. The gas guzzling trolleys can be seen at all hours of the day with very few to zero students on board. With such few students riding, the cost per ride is surely excessive blowing money and emissions out the tail pipe.

In January, the first year will be complete. There should not be much to consider when deciding whether to utilize the escape clause or not. It should be an easy decision, actually. It’s time for the trolleys to go. With tuition rising and cuts being made in many areas of the campus community, more than $300,000 a year is too much to be blowing on a service that is rarely used.

We urge the administration: do not renew the contract. Spend this money in other areas.

Providing service for lazy students is not worth the cost. Many of the students who use the service just ride it from the DSC to the housing complex. This isn’t a necessity, but rather a luxury. And a very expensive luxury at that.

The average person can walk from one end of campus to the other in 10 to 15 minutes. The problem is when people arrive to campus five minutes before class and expect to have time to

find a parking spot and make it to their classroom on time.

We know that some people have special circumstances. For people who have a disability or some other special situation, resources are available to accommodate those situations. The best option for someone needing assistance would be visiting the Disability Resource Center. Our point in advocating the removal of the trolleys is not to disenfranchise anyone, but rather to direct precious resources to more vital aspects of the campus and its operations.

Currently, the Department of Public Safety provides an escort service for students who feel threatened in any way on campus. Perhaps this service could be expanded to help those students, faculty and staff with disabilities that prevent them from being able to walk long distances. Or a similar service provided on an as needed basis in a more environmentally friendly vehicle like an electric golf cart could be used.

The point is that resources are available and other ideas are out there. Hundreds of thousands of dollars being spent on trolleys to ride around empty is not a sensible use of student tuition and taxpayer dollars.

Journalistic plagiarism on rise despite scrutiny

Liz Fox Entertainment Editor

Though journalism has steadily remained an agent of change throughout America’s long history, it hasn’t been without its slip-ups. Figures who were first thought to be masters of accuracy and awareness ended up being little more than campfire storytellers after admitting to plagiarism and fabrication in many or all of their stories. Stephen Glass, Janet Cooke and Jayson Blair are likely the most notorious and have fallen into the circle of the media underworld reserved for the especially disgraced. But have the publishing giants of the industry learned at all from this past deceit? Recent evidence has pointed to a discernible “no.”

Former New Yorker writer Jonah Lehrer admitted last month that he had made up quotes for his book “Imagine: How Creativity Works,” weaving out of whole cloth words supposedly uttered by music legend Bob Dylan. Even more recently, Time magazine suspended columnist Fareed Zakaria for plagiarizing an article written by historian Jill Lepore on gun control, he was later reinstated and his column will resume Sept. 7. While the aspects of what constitutes plagiarism or fabrication can be ambiguous for the everyday individual,

journalists have a special duty (moral code, even) to be accurate, authentic and, sparing editorialists, apolitical. It takes a special breed of reporter to maliciously copy the work of someone else or assemble falsehoods for the sake of fame or promotion and much to my disdain, it seems as if big-time newspapers and organizations are being too lenient or not doing enough to prevent this disrespect for an ongoing art form.

In no way am I blaming the editors who supported and nurtured these writers, mostly because it was their job and commitment to do so. But are magazines and newspapers still utilizing the same fact-checking tactics used at the post-Glass New Republic? Are employees still scouring LexisNexis and similar databases to confirm the existence of people, places, organizations and things? It seems like journalism scandals of the last decade have all been the result of poor judgment or outright blindness, especially when it becomes known that those individuals have made dishonesty part of their routine by including it in not one but dozens of articles.

I find it difficult to believe the nature of these scandals was Paterno-esque in that many people harbored secrets without taking any action against them. But I often wonder how developed journalistic fraud can become in the

shadow of a world that’s bent on being explicitly factual. Even when I was in high school it was difficult to cheat, primarily because of then-new resources like CheckItIn.com that could compare a term paper with pre-existing print and web sources. So how is it possible that an extensive and ongoing list of lies was able to build up over a number of years without any raised eyebrows or discrepancies? In the case of Stephen Glass, many of his colleagues said the hilarity of his stories and his corporate charisma landed him in a spot of trust with everyone, which resulted in a general lack of questioning no matter how outlandish his tales seemed. This is plausible since reporters are also human but it doesn’t seem like this sort of social rapport could be a large part of the reason behind journalism’s biggest mistakes.

I can’t say I’m capable of suggesting any specific improvements to existing fact-checking systems especially since different publications implement different methods. But with this trend continuing to make headlines, some changes need to be made in order to protect the ethics of the industry, especially since journalism is devoted to challenging and solving crises instead of creating some for themselves.

GEOFFREY BARA

People nationwide have spent weeks observing the miasma of bad press following the announcement Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy made in response to a question about whether or not the company was funding known anti-gay groups in an effort to quell same-sex marriage: “Guilty as charged.”

The afternoon of July 31, I was approached by HLNtv.com to write a response piece, to be ready for publishing the following morning, because Aug. 1, thanks to former Gov. Mike Huckabee, was to become, “Chick-filA Appreciation Day.” Obviously, as an openly gay writer, I had an opinion and was more than willing to share it (that Cathy should keep his antigay funding to himself). But the response to my article surprised me. Not because there were people out there who disagreed with me, but because of the nature of the disagreement.

I expected, of course, the usual religious objections of conservatives and vulgar comments of frat boys, and I got them. What really surprised me though was that the cry I saw most often was, “How dare you try to interfere with free speech!”

This is extremely disheartening for a number of reasons. To begin with, the struggle for equal rights in which this country is currently embroiled is being mischaracterized by many conservatives as simply the LGBT community being up in arms because we aren’t being granted special rights and privileges. Also, we’re having our feelings hurt because people are being mean to us in the news. Let’s get a few things straight, no pun intended. I certainly wasn’t, nor do I believe anyone else was, criticizing Cathy for expressing his views on marriage. As a voting, tax-paying American, I’m proud and pleased to live in a country where opposing viewpoints are allowed and where the people who possess them are allowed to express them. I think it’s important to remember that sometimes it’s not what one says, but how one says it. Cathy’s proud proclamation felt rather like a slap in the face to his LGBT customers, many of whom are now former customers.

In addition, the LGBT community is not seeking any special rights or privileges. We are seeking the same rights and privileges any heterosexual married couple takes for granted every day. Special implies superior. It is not superiority that we seek; it is equality.

Still, even though those words stung, I would never suggest that Cathy didn’t have the right to use them. The point here, the problem protestors are taking issue with, is that Cathy and Chick-fil-A aren’t simply expressing their opinions and hopes for the future of marriage in this country; they’re using their profits to make sure their agenda becomes reality. Certainly I don’t care for the fact that Cathy doesn’t believe in same-sex marriage, but it is his work to ensure that it doesn’t become a reality for LGBT Americans that offends me; not his words.

That’s what we’re talking about when we encourage our friends not to eat Chickfil-A. It’s not because Cathy was mean to us. It’s because he’s spending his customers’ money to ensure that his religious views, which are blatantly discriminatory, are written into law. And that affects all of us, as Americans. To write laws today which limit the rights of some Americans, and not others, opens a window to a terrifying oppressive future.

TECHNOLOGY, continued from page 1

ten suggested alternate locations for the board to consider as a possible site for the future tech park, all of which are depicted in the publication with details and illustrations.

However, a LRTPA-appointed housing subcommittee has since been tasked with the mission of “making relocation easier,” reported Newell, which has made neighbors fearful once again.

“In theory, the board of the Little Rock Technology Park Authority, which has been wed to the idea of flattening a neighborhood for construction of a biotech business park, is now open to suggestions for alternative, non-residential locations,” reported Peacock. “There’s a form for those who would propose them on the Authority website (www.lrtechpark.com); submission deadline is Aug. 31.”

Peacock’s story suggests such landmark Little Rock locations as Ray Winder Field near Interstate 630, the Village Shopping Center on the Southeast corner of University and Asher avenues, Brandon House Furniture

role for which she was recognized by the FBI for special achievement and awarded by the Organized Drug Enforcement Task Force. She also published a catalog of works on various subjects, including federal criminal prosecution, family and insurance law.

But after a sevenyear leave, she returned to her roots by joining Bowen again in 2001.

Because of her professional qualifications and experiences, Casey is confident about her current role at the university.

on the corner of 12th Street and University Avenue and a parcel on Main Street in downtown Little Rock including the Arkansas, Boyle and MM Cohn Buildings.

Joe Busby, a University District Development Committee board member, proposes that the issue is simply the need for more conversation between the board and the citizens and more accountability to those who will be effected by the land deal, construction and operation of the future facilities.

Busby, who has been a Fair Park area resident for nearly 20 years, implores the board to involve the surrounding neighborhood residents and treat them fairly — “relocation without displacement,” as Busby says, is a primary concern.

“Whether or not it is there, thoughts of collusion and corruption will surround it until the light of citizen’s participation is shined upon it,” Busby said.

Busby said that the UDDC plans to reintroduce the “social contract,” to the board’s housing committee when and if the time comes for resident relocation. The “social contract” is the

UALR William H. Bowen School of Law, assumed the position of interim dean upon Dean DiPippa’s receiving Emeritus status earlier this summer.

“I know the legal community; I know the law school thoroughly; I know the university and university system well,” she said. “I’ve had a lot of experience with administration. I think all of those things will help.”

Just before being offered the position of interim dean, Casey was taking measures to join her husband in retirement. But she has said that she is willing to stay on as interim dean until a qualified candidate for permanent replacement is found. Paula Casey, a professor at the

Casey, whose position was announced in February, is to serve as interim dean until the national search for DiPippa’s replacement comes to a close.

“We’re steering a pretty good course,” she said in a recent news release. “Dean DiPippa was a great leader, and he did a really good job for us.”

After being raised in a small Arkansas town, Casey went on to graduate in 1973 from East Central University of Oklahoma with her bachelor’s degree. Four years later she obtained her JD from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville School of Law, and soon became a professor at the UALR William H. Bowen School of Law. While teaching, she also served as an associate dean from 1986 until 1991.

After leaving Bowen in the mid1990s, Casey served as United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, a role for which she was recognized by the FBI for special achievement and awarded by the Organized Drug Enforcement Task Force. She also published a catalog of works on various subjects, including federal criminal prosecution, family and insurance law. But after a seven-year leave, she returned to her roots by joining Bowen

same document submitted to the authority board in April to encourage the board to treat citizens fairly and be mindful of the public commitment they have to the community.

“They are not building an ownership by the citizens, so no matter what they do, it will be clouded in thoughts of collusion and corruption, until the light of citizen participation is shined upon it,” Busby said.

The next Little Rock Technology Park Authority Board meeting is scheduled for Sept. 12. “The board will devote the meeting primarily to two subjects,” according to the organization’s website, “an update from the Neighborhood Housing Committee, and the discussion of the site selection process to be applied in choosing a location for the Technology Park.”

“The scariest part of it is the application and the self-centeredness of the tech park board,” Busby said, “It’s kind of a scary situation when there is a public entity that has the power to impoverish citizens using eminent domain,” said Busby, “and they fail to respond to a direct charge from their organizing institutions.”

again in 2001.

Because of her professional qualifications and experiences, Casey is confident about her current role at the university.

“I know the legal community; I know the law school thoroughly; I know the university and university system well,” she said. “I’ve had a lot of experience with administration. I think all of those things will help.”

Just before being offered the position of interim dean, Casey was taking measures to join her husband in retirement. But she has said that she is willing to stay on as interim dean until a qualified candidate for permanent replacement. Because retiring is one of her biggest short-term goals, she is uninterested in her position becoming permanent; however, she is now pondering an adjunct teaching position that would serve as her part-time return to teaching.

As for the dean search itself, no specific candidates have been named and little is known publicly about what progress has been made. The search committee, which is comprised of Bowen faculty and other individuals, will continue to pursue a suitable match in the coming months. Until then, however, Dean Casey remains optimistic about the results and believes the school has a lot to offer.

Police Beat

Commercial burglary results in loss of $10,500

Copper theft from the UALR hilltop property on Asher Avenue was reported to the UALRPD.

A UALR Facilities Management representative called on July 20 and advised police that during inventory he noted that several buildings were broken into and copper was missing from them, according to DPS officer Iciephine Sykes.

It was reported to police that at Hub Cap Annie the front glass was broken and at Woody’s Body Shop the roll-up door was missing. There were no signs of forced entry at the day care center. The buildings had not been accessed by anyone since December 2011. According to the incident report, a UALR Facilities Management representative advised that the value of the stolen copper was $10,500.

Attempt to steal a lawn mower failed

A local man was recently arrested after attempting to steal a lawn mower from the Wesley Foundation with the help of a younger, mentally disabled man.

Dwayne Turner, 43, was charged with theft, endangering the welfare of an incompetent person and drinking in public, according to the DPS report.

DPS received a call July 30 that two men tried to steal a lawn mower from the Wesley Foundation. According to the report, the men ran toward the intersection of West 32nd Street and Fair Park Boulevard in an attempt to escape, but were subdued by DPS officers in the parking lot of U.S. Pizza. DPS officer Bobby Hicks stated in his report that he discovered the younger 18-year-old man was mentally handicapped and that police had seen him earlier that day. Turner said that the individual was his nephew, but when taken home, his mother told the officers that she didn’t know Turner and that her son has a mental condition and often wanders off.

The person from the Wesley Foundation came and confirmed that the

two males had just attempted to steal a lawn mower and showed pictures as proof. The older male told the authorities that they didn’t want to steal it and he was just “showing it” to his nephew.

Turner was arrested and processed at the Pulaski County Regional Detention Center.

House cleaner arrested in University Village on several charges

A female house cleaner was arrested at University Village Aug. 7 for disorderly conduct, possessing instruments of crime and resisting arrest.

Around 5:17 p.m. DPS received a call about possible disturbance in room 515 of University Village, according to the police report. Upon arriving, the officer talked to an administration representative who informed him that there were two people who pushed an employee from the room and locked themselves in it. DPS officer Cody Jones said he found a 38-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman in the room sitting on a couch. There was a green powderlike substance rolled with paper on the table in front of them, which they said had been found inside the couch while cleaning.

The woman was very talkative, yelled and resisted arrest both verbally and physically. She was taken to processed at the Pulaski County Southside Detention Center.

Stolen vehicle returned

Little Rock resident charged with felony for stealing a car from his mother.

DPS officer Tyrone Barrow stopped a white Toyota on University Avenue on July 14 for expired tags. The driver, a 36-year-old male, had a suspended driver’s license. According to a police report, the vehicle turned out to be stolen and the driver was taken into custody. He told the officer the car belonged to his mother and it was confirmed to be so. The Little Rock Police Department advised the owner that the vehicle was found and it was returned to her. The driver has been charged with felony for the theft of the car.

the website). Construction of the complex began in January 2011 on the site of the former Coleman Dairy south of Asher Avenue. Despite major delays and problems with the general contractor, the project was completed on time and on budget.

The complex was a low-bid project, which David Millay, associate vice chancellor of Facilities Management, said might explain some of the hardships its construction faced. The building has met substantial completion and the first sporting event in the complex was a Trojan soccer game that took place Sunday, although there are some minor irrigation and drainage projects to finish. “This $5 million project is funded by a $30 million bond issue recommended by the UALR Board of Visitors and approved by UA Trustees in October 2009,” according to the UALR website.

Construction is also complete on a new restaurant-style eatery on campus, which Millay said was “a pretty clean project.” “The Trojan Grill will serve as a convenient culinary option for university residents,” according to the university’s website. The grill, which is intended to compliment UALR’s Diamond Cafeteria, is located between South Hall and the new Student One-Stop Center. According to the website, the construction project began during the Fall 2011 academic semester and was slated for completion in April 2012.

Another recent addition to the UALR campus is the modern, four-story Student One-Stop Center. The building met substantial completion May 4 after surpassing its originally scheduled completion date by 12 weeks due to repairs on the air conditioning system. It is located north of the Donaghey Student Center, to which it is conjoined by a glass skybridge. The SOSC now houses the offices of Administration, Admissions & Financial Aid, Records & Registration, Student Accounts and Cashiers Office, University College, Private Scholarships, Disability Services, Veteran Affairs, and Transfer Services. The structure also features a 205-seat auditorium. Construction on the structure began during the Spring 2011 academic semester on the former site of the university’s Parking Lot 1.

“There is very little space for growth,” Millay said.

The Center for Integrative Nanotechnology Sciences was finally finished June 18, complete with 3rd floor facilities and a rooftop greenhouse, which had to be specially ordered. CONSTRUCTION, continued from page 1

Program prepares math and science majors for classroom

Tatsianna Karaliova Staff writer

An innovative program named UALRTeach begins this fall, which gives students majoring in math or science the opportunity to learn from mentor teachers, receive experience of teaching at school and earn a teaching license while working towards their degree.

UALRTeach is replication of the program that was initiated at the University of Texas at Austin, along with other universities that later joined. Since Arkansas needs teachers, especially in math and science, the program's arrival at UALR seems to be really well-judged and well-timed.

“We are excited about the UALRTeach,” program co-director James Fetterly said. “Whether students want to go into the teaching field or if they want to go into laboratory, it’s one degree with unlimited opportunities.”

The program consists of two onecredit courses – Inquiry Approaches to Teaching in the fall and Inquiry-Based Lesson Design offered in the spring. UALRTeach Program Master Teacher Kelly Chaney explained that the main idea of the program is the use of inquiry methods and getting students to do lots of hands-on exploration in math and science.

During the first semester, students will be observing the work of a teacher at a local elementary school and then will teach two classes themselves. They will be given all the tools they need to be able to go into the classroom and conduct a successful class for the next semester, the course will be dealing with middle school and junior high classroom. Students will be learning different techniques of classroom man-

agement but still using inquiry methods and hands-on learning.

UALRTeach is hoping to work this semester with the King Elementary School in Little Rock and the program is gaining relationships with some other schools for the spring semester. Both of these courses offer tuition credit on the bills for next semester for those students who have a grade of C or better at the end of each course.

So basically, they could be free for a student. After graduation, students “will have more avenues and more paths that they can travel down,” Assistant Director Michelle Buchanan said. Also, minor in education will provide students skills of communication and collaboration and also opportunity to compete.

“The job openings are there, they just need people to fill them,” Chaney said. “And you can’t say that in a lot of areas today.”

The program is also really meeting the needs of those students who are in high school and know they can do math and science but don’t have a teacher to help them. “You can be a hero, a favorite teacher for school students,” Buchanan said, explaining that science teacher often becomes for students a hero of the campus because he or she makes interesting projects and experiments.

“Just because you are a teacher doesn’t mean that all you do is stand in front of a classroom and lecture or set up a lab and do a lab with students in science or math,” Chaney said.

Teachers can make research, travel and learn about education in other countries. Opportunities for them are great and a lot of this is not publicized to students going into education. UALRTeach courses can be taken by undergraduate or graduate students.

New faces join campus in top faculty positions

Cameron Moix News Editor

Director searches for four different departments in three different colleges have ended and UALR welcomes new faculty members to campus this semester.

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

UALR’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences recently named former University of South Dakota faculty member Keith Alan Robinson the new chair of the Philosophy department.

Before moving to Little Rock to assume the position at UALR, Robinson spent seven years as assistant professor of language, linguistics and philosophy and a program coordinator at USD and taught at several other universities in the United States and Europe before that.

University in Charleston, Ill.

“I hope that the School of Mass Communication will continue to offer cutting edge programs that attract students from across and beyond the state of Arkansas,” he said in the same university press release.

College of Business

Jeffrey Hamm, former Henderson State University dean and UALR faculty member, was recently named the College of Business’s new chair of the Department of Accounting.

Hamm is returning to the university after having served as Dean of Business at HSU in Arkadelphia since 2010, before which he was a UALR faculty member since 2003.

“I am very much pleased to be back at UALR,” Hamm said. “Central Arkansas is a great place to live and work, and UALR serves a vital role in educating students and enhancing the community.

“I’m really excited to be heading up such a new and dynamic department,” he said. “I think UALR students are really going to want to try out some of our courses and experience what philosophy and the liberal arts have to offer them.”

Robinson received his PhD from the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom in 1996. Much of his research has concentrated on 19th and 20th century European philosophy, most notably that of 20th century France. He has published a number of books, articles and essays in these fields.

“The origins of philosophy lies with the Greeks,” Robinson said, “so this fall I’m looking forward to teaching a class on ancient Greek philosophy,”

The department also recently appointed Michael Norton as an assistant professor of philosophy, who received his PhD last year at Villanova University in Pennsylvania. Norton’s areas of focus include philosophy of religion and contemporary continental philosophy.

College of Professional Studies

Olaf Hoerschelmann, former program coordinator at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, has recently been appointed as the new chair of UALR’s School of Mass Communication in the College of Professional Studies.

Hoerschelmann, who authored a book titled “Rules of the Game: Quiz Shows in American Culture” in 2006, assumed the position in July, taking the place of former director Dr. Jamie Byrne, who is now the interim dean of the College of Professional Studies.

“The faculty in the School of Mass Communication are highly dedicated and have created excellent educational experiences for our students,” he said in a quote from a university press release. “In the future, I want to build on the past successes of the students and faculty and review and improve our programs to keep up with the fast-moving field of mass communication.”

Hoerschelmann, a native to Germany, earned his PhD in mass communication from Indiana University, his M.A. in communication from the University of Missouri-Columbia and his B.A. in American Studies from the University of Tubingen in Germany.

Before joining UALR in July, Hoerschelmann was the graduate program coordinator for the Department of Communication Studies at Eastern Illinois

He has also taught at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., where he was promoted to fulltime professor and department chair.

Hamm says that his preferred area of scholarship and research is taxation, and he has published articles on the subject in publications such as Advances in Taxation, Practical Tax Strategies, the Tennessee CPA, Today’s CPA and Tax Advisor.

“What we are doing today will make a difference in Little Rock and the state of Arkansas tomorrow. It is exciting to be able to help people achieve their dreams — it is a win-win situation.”

During life non-academic career, Hamm worked specializing in oil and gas taxation for Phillips Petroleum Company, public accounting and consulting in the restaurant industry.

He received a Bachelor Degree from Michigan State University, a PhD in accounting from Texas Tech University and is also licensed as a CPA in Oklahoma.

Karen Moustafa Leonard, who recently left her position as associate professor at Indiana University at Fort Wayne, has recently been appointed as professor and Chair of Management in the UALR College of Business.

Leonard, who says she “loves being a professor more than almost anything,” earned her Master of Science degree in Commerce from University of Auckland in New Zealand and her PhD in Management from the University of Memphis in 2004.

Her research emphasis is in organizational behavior, which Leonard describes simply as “how people interact in organizations. It includes such things as dysfunctional behaviors, accountability, and time orientation in organizations. Also includes cross-cultural organizational work with lots of international colleagues, which requires travel to these countries.”

For 26 years, Leonard worked in management and administration for various organizations, including the Auckland Area Hospital Board, Presbyterian Hospitals of Dallas and Tenet Healthcare System.

Leonard is married with three children and six grandchildren.

“[I] love being a professor more than almost anything — the teaching, research, and services just thrill me after being in management and administration for so long. [I] also love travel and reading, especially mystery and science fiction novels.”

Construction slows Bowen tra c

Liz Fox Entertainment Editor

Construction on McMath Avenue and around MacArthur Park in downtown Little Rock is continuing to disrupt regular traffic to the UALR William H. Bowen School of Law as construction of a new street progresses. Pulaski County Lane, the new route connecting Commerce Street to McMath Avenue, has been opened to twoway traffic. McMath has also been converted into a one-way street running north while the road is completed. When construction ends, McMath will resume its original direction as a twoway street.

The Bowen school may be accessed through two different routes. While one is to take newly-constructed Pulaski County Lane, motorists may also opt for Frontage Road, a one-way street located behind the university. The entrance near the school's south parking lot will be available for entry.

To exit the law school, drivers must leave through the north entrance and turn north (toward 9th Street) on McMath or exit through the south entrance and turn onto Pulaski County Lane.

Officials have already placed signs around the law school to direct traffic. Crews will continue to work on the south side of MacArthur Park in the coming weeks, but the final date of completion is tentative.

Welcome Week to bring big fun

UALR will have its doors wide open Aug. 23 to 30, with fun activities, music, free food and games to welcome new incoming freshman as well as returning students.

Welcome Week has been put together by the Office of Campus Life to give students the opportunity to relax, meet and greet, eat, have fun and gain the confidence that this will be the best year of their college career. It will be a gathering for students and faculty to come together and enjoy good times before the stress begins.

Beginning Aug. 23, the DSC will serve free ice cream with the Vice Chancellors. This event will give everyone the opportunity to get acquainted and become familair with the faculty and staff.

There will be a Back 2 School event in motion on Aug. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event will take place at the Donaghey Student Center’s Upper Concourse. Everyone will have a chance to receive school supplies; free food, and listen to a variety of music. There will also be a caricature artist joining us from out of town.

“This is an event we traditionally hold during welcome week, because there’s no better way to welcome our students back than free school supplies, free food, and a rockin’ good time!” said Emily Cox, The University Program Council adviser.

The campus recreation open house will take place Aug. 27. from 11 a.m.

get involved with games and activities. Later that evening, the university will be hosting a campus-wide event from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. called UALR After dark, followed by the University Program Council Social from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Ledbetter Hall.

The university will be hosting the Norman Magic Experience from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Ledbetter Hall on Tuesday Aug. 28. “Norman Ng visited us last fall, and was a HUGE hit! We had over 225 students that came out and enjoyed his talents. All of the attendees of last year’s show were truly floored and requested that we bring him back this semester, so we did!” said Cox.

The Student Organization Fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Aug. 29 in Ledbetter Hall. This event will allow students to get involved and learn leadership skills that will help them endure the college experience.

The university will be hosting Burgers at Bailey at 11 a.m. on Aug. 30 at the Bailey Alumni Center. This will be an all-day event, so please bring your friends and family to enjoy the free food, live music, activities and fun. There will also be three prizes given away. To enter the drawing, you must “Like” the UALR Alumni Association on Facebook for a chance to win.

“I expect over a thousand people to spread the lawn at the Bailey Alumni Center. There will be plenty of food and live music for everyone” said Derek Boyce, membership coordinator of the alumni center. The Diamond Café will be hosting a Food Wars event on Aug. 31. from noon

That damned Ellis kid

DAVID ELLIS

Becoming my father’s son

I came up a product of the ‘70s and ‘80s in a Catholic home. This meant that by the age of 10, I had already had my first experience with alcohol, tried cigarettes, and I knew enough off color jokes to have a lengthy career as a stand-up comedian. I was a smart-ass in those days, even more than I am now.

I was at the age when I was beginning to take an interest in my heritage, so I listened at every opportunity to the stories my parents would tell about my grandparents and when they were growing up.

My parents came from small towns in rural Nebraska — places where the high schools offered rodeo as a team sport. Dad told us that by the time he had gotten into high school he had the reputation of being quite the troublemaker. When people saw him in town with his friends they would say, “Here comes that damned Ellis kid again.”

Pop, much to my mother’s chagrin, would often tell of how he, my uncles and his friends would get into trouble for some of the crazy things they did as kids. Every summer we would go and visit my grandparents and all the family would be there. Stories were told after every meal, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the embarrassing.

One event happened when my uncle was still very young. My grandfather worked for the county road crew, and was heading out for work one morning. In an effort to help him my naive uncle filled his gas tank, not with gas, but with sand.

My grandfather came into the house frustrated that his pickup truck wouldn’t start exclaimed, “There’s sand in my damned gas tank!” My uncle, not knowing what he had done was wrong, shouted out that he had done it.

Another time, Dad told me about a time when he, his brother and sister were young and getting ready for a Halloween social. Dad was dressed as a civil war union cavalry officer and his outfit came complete with a fake gun and rubber sword. My grandmother was trying to get them to finish up, and Dad said something smart, which got laughs from everyone except my grandmother. Incensed, she grabbed the rubber sword and beat them all soundly.

My dad and uncle also worked with my grandfather as ranch-hands. Many of the ranches of the Sand Hills area of northern Nebraska had no ponds, lakes or above ground water sources, so wells had to be drilled into the ground to tap into underground sources. Water would be pumped out via use of a windmill mounted on a tower, and would empty into a large metal tank at the towers base.

Uncle Randy told me a story about a day when they were building one of the water tanks and a curious baby antelope approached. An interesting fact about antelopes is that they smell bad, especially when distressed or after exertion. Knowing this, my dad and uncle hid in the tank until the unsuspecting animal was within arms reach.

They grabbed the poor unwary beast by the antlers and wrestled it to the ground. The baby antelope by this time was highly distressed and smelling foul. My dad and uncle decided it would be funny to put the animal into a co-worker’s pickup truck and let it run around inside to musk up the cab, and so they did.

These and many more pranks were relayed to me anytime we visited my grandparents. To an impressionable 10-year-old boy these were gold they let me know my Dad wasn’t always the stiff I took him for. I vowed to take up his mantle, like Zorro or the Phantom I would take up my fathers quest to become that damned Ellis kid!

Local lm ‘Jade’ to raise human tra cking awareness

Chelsey McNiel Features Editor

Most Americans believe slavery ended in 1865, but it still exists today and it’s happening in our own backyard.

Human trafficking is modern-day slavery where children, teenagers, men and women are sold into sex slavery.

According to Partners Against Trafficking Humans, 14,000 to 17,000 victims are trafficked within the U.S. each year. PATH also estimates that around 600,000 to 800,000 victims are trafficked across international borders, making it the third largest illegal market after drugs and guns.

UALR alumna Jess Carson was inspired to write and direct a film to raise awareness after meeting a friend who was rescued from human trafficking. Carson teamed up with Heads or Tails Productions for their first feature film “Jade.”

“... I have seen how close to home it hits and how big it is here in America ...”

JESS CARSON

“In my research I have seen how close to home it hits and how big it is here in America,” Carson said. “For most of these girls, it’s really apparent that they are victims, but nobody wants to do anything about it. I think it’s more because nobody wants to believe it’s happening.”

“Jade” originally began as a short story named after the lead character, and then evolved into a script. To make the storyline more tangible,

Carson has sought help from local organizations such as: Not For Sale, PATH and Rush Hour [Traffic].

Carson said PATH Founder Louise Allison advised her on the tactics used to degrade human trafficking victims.

“She took the script and helped us bring the most vivid authenticity to it,” Carson said. “She completely transformed it and really brought it to another level for us.”

Although the film is not based on one person’s true story, it does contain events that have happened to victims.

One example is the “pimp circle.” If a pimp does not like something a victim does, he and other pimps will crowd tightly around the victim and begin yelling.

“Jade” follows the story of the psychological repercussions for a young woman who

has escaped sex slavery in the United States and is learning to trust again despite her past.

Carson uses a series of flashbacks from Jade’s past to relate to present events.

Former UALR student Krystal Kaminar plays the role of Jade.

“I had reservations about playing Jade because it’s a very serious story with a complicated character,” Kaminar said. “But after reading the story I loved Jess’ writing and jumped on board.”

Kaminar said she has prepared for the role through research, documentaries and speaking with human trafficking survivors.

“Lots of girls are uncomfortable talking about their experiences in human trafficking,” Kaminar said. “I am honored to tell their story.”

The volunteer cast begins

filming the second week of September and hopes to have the final product ready in February. They still have about $1,200 to raise before meeting their goal of $2,700. Carson said funding or not, the cast will do what they can to make the film a reality.

“Jade” will be filmed at various locations in Little Rock including Rooker Library off Otter Creek Parkway. Carson said local businesses have been very welcoming.

Local bands have also collaborated with Heads or Tails Productions for the film’s soundtrack. Townsend, Don’t Stop Please, The Monastics and the Wes Bernett Band have all donated songs. Carson will also compose an original score.

With collaborative efforts of community, supporters and creative minds, Heads or Tails Productions hopes to enter

“[Human Tra cking] happens every day right under our noses. We need to stand up and do something about it.”

KRYSTAL KAMINAR

“Jade” in film festivals to reveal the stories of those in modernday slavery.

“I hope people react to the film,” Kaminar said. “[Human Trafficking] happens every day right under our noses. We need to stand up and do something about it.”

For more information, email jess@reelarkansas.com. To donate visit indiegogo.com/jadethemovie.

How did you avoid the ‘freshman 15’ your rst year?

Your Thoughts...

“Set

apart time for myself and played basketball with my friends.”

BRIAN GUYTON SENIOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE MAJOR

“Avoid having snack foods in your dorm.”

JAELYN JACKSON JUNIOR ART EDUCATION MAJOR

Simple

Taylor Hoffard Assistant Features Editor

The first semester of college is a new and exciting experience, but while meeting new friends and attending classes your health could take a hard hit.

How to prevent the dreaded “freshman 15,” can sound pretty obvious; eat healthy and exercise. However, it can be difficult to balance exercise with work and school.

Junior professional and technical writing major Alyssa Causey agrees that watching what you eat is essential.

“Follow serving sizes,” she said. “And use portion control when you eat.”

Weight Watchers online has various programs that are easy to keep up with if you want to lose or maintain your weight. According to WeightWatchers.com, a points system is used to help

“I joined fitness classes because they fit in my schedule.”

BIANCA MAYO JUNIOR PHILOSOPHY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION MAJOR

“Be careful of Taco Bell.”

LYDIA PERRY SENIOR RHETORIC AND WRITING MAJOR

changes help you maintain or lose weight

you reach weight goals.

After signing up, Weight Watchers tells you the amount of points allotted each day so you won’t have to count calories. It’s as simple as typing in a food item and the site keeps count of your points for the day. Weight Watchers even has an app for Android and iPhone users. However, online use costs about $5 a week.

Another option is the ‘Lose it!’ app for iPhone, which is free to download and provides the same services as Weight Watchers without any extra costs.

An easy thing to forget, especially going to parties and meeting friends for dinner, is that drinking alcohol promotes weight gain. Now, there’s nothing wrong with a glass of wine or a beer with dinner, but going overboard can pack on the pounds. Plus, you have the possibility of a pesky hangover, and if drinking irresponsibly, al-

cohol poisoning.

Exercise is a must. The UALR Fitness Center is a great option for group activities and personal training. However, you can make simple changes in daily living to decrease stress and help keep off those extra pounds.

For students living on campus, the hill to housing is your worst nightmare, or your easy solution. Walking the hill will get easier every day if you make the extra effort. Also, leaving a little earlier for classes and taking longer routes on campus can help. This way, school and work schedules don’t conflict with getting in a few minutes of exercise.

“Park out in lot 13 and don’t take the trolley,” senior history major Jeremy Larson said. “that will give you an extra 15 minutes of cardio every day.”

Another easy substitution is an exercise ball. When sitting in front of the television,

or doing homework, take a quick break to do some crunches. In addition, sitting up straight will not only keep you alert for study sessions, but will allow you to burn more calories.

According to TheColumn. org, sitting quietly burns around 84 calories an hour. If sitting and doing an activity, like playing a game or writing a paper, a person can burn up to 114 calories per hour.

Although weight gain can be brought on by the stress of a new experience, exercise can help reduce stress. With simples changes and dedication, preventing the awful day when your favorite pair of jeans won’t fit can be avoided.

The UALR Fitness Center is open every day from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday.

‘That! Medical Quiz Show’ new to KUAR in September

Chelsey McNiel Features Editor

In September, a witty new radio show will entertain and educate listeners about their health by quizzing contestants on medical and preventive health issues.

“That! Medical Quiz Show” is fun, conversational and unique. Instead of having the usual set up of listeners calling in to ask questions, three contestants answer medical questions from topics such as survival tactics, medical sounds, and gross anatomy. Comical sound effects accompany each topic, giving the show a fun personality.

“We want to make it fun and effective for daily use,” said David A. Goldstein, executive producer and co-founder. “People want to be entertained while listening to medical information. We need to give information that could be discussed at the water cooler.”

Neurosurgeon and author Dr. T. Glenn Pait, whose voice you may recognize from UAMS’s “Here’s To Your Health,” is the show’s host and co-founder.

“It’s a fun way to get people involved in their health,” Glenn Pait said adding the show’s slogan. “Because there’s a little bit of doctor in all of us.”

Sports reporter Lisa Corn-

‘That! Medical Quiz Show’ contestants

for a sound check before taping the

well is the owner of sofriedsports.com and serves as the show’s announcer. She introduces contestants and keeps score while adding her quirky views as Glenn Pait explains the correct answer to each question. The show presents gag gifts as prizes that will fascinate the winning contestant. They

could walk away with seeds to grow their own vegetables or a lifetime supply of tongue depressors.

“It’s a unique part of the show,” Goldstein said. “But really everyone is a winner. They receive gifts cards for showing up and playing along.”

One contestant from the pilot episode is now the assistant

of production and communication.

Catherine Jones, a UALR graduate student studying speech communication, said her coursework has provided the interviewing skills needed for her new job.

“I try to find the contestants that can have a good time,” she said. “I look for people who

are conversational, relaxed and can easily laugh at the jokes.”

UALR Alumna Kelly Pait earned her MBA in Management and is now the show’s interim editor and co-founder. She also assists with operational flow and writing episodes.

“We had great feedback from our pilot episode,” she said of the March 31st broadcast. “The majority said they would listen weekly and many contestants said they would love to come back on the show.”

Drew Glover and Lea Clyburn are UALR professional and technical writing graduate students who recently joined the show in June 2012. They spend their time fact checking and writing whimsical scripts for the cast.

“I feel lucky [to be part of the production],” said Glover. “I hope it gets picked up nationally.”

According to Goldstein, the quiz show has recorded nine of its 13-episode season, and is looking to expand to Memphis, Nashville and Chicago.

Beginning September 6, “That! Medical Quiz Show” will air Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. after “Tales From the South” on 89.1 FM KUAR. For more information or to become a contestant visit kuar.org/thatmqs or facebook.com/thatmqs.

Credit o ers temporary x Now Hiring

Attorney general advises young consumers

Chelsey McNiel Features Editor

After paying for tuition, books and housing many college students with limited income may feel signing up for a credit card is their only option for extra living expenses.

Attorney General Dustin McDaniel recently issued an alert to provide students with tips on managing credit card use.

“Young consumers like college students should proceed cautiously in their selection and use of a credit card,” McDaniel said. “What may seem like an easy way out of financial headache now could lead to substantial long-term problems if consumers reach their credit limits or take out cards with extraordinarily high interest rates.”

Before federal law prohibited marketing credit cards within 1,000 feet of a college campus or related event, credit card marketers bombarded students with high-pressureappeals. These solicitations caused many students to take on too much debt too soon.

Bianca Mayo, philosophy and secondary education major, said she uses every possible outlet including scholarships, loans and a credit card to pay for her education.

“I use my Visa mainly for books, which run about $400 or $500 each semester; but I am big on trying to pay it back,” she said.

Mayo also works two to three jobs to cover expenses. “I do my homework during one of my jobs and stay as organized as possible,” she said.

Under federal law, jobless students may not be issued credit cards without parental approval.

Cards may not be issued to consumers younger than 21 unless the applicant has a responsible co-signer; or if they can show an independent means

of repaying the debt. In addition, the law prevents gifts like T-shirts or magazine subscriptions to market credit cards to young consumers.

Graduate student Kanisha Gray said she uses her credit card to pay for summer expenses.

“Once my refund check comes in from the fall semester I use it to pay off the card,” she said.

While Mayo and Gray only use their credit cards for minimal expenses, even small amounts can be difficult to pay off.

If you are considering credit as an alternate or additional means of payment for education, McDaniel offers this advice:

Though credit card offers may be appealing, avoid accepting too many offers. Having too much credit can lead to unmanageable debt.

Submit timely payments. Consumers who are more than 60 days late on their credit card payments can face higher interest rates on their existing balances.

Avoid making only the minimum payment each month. Doing so costs more and it takes much longer to retire the debt.

Don’t run up a balance on a “teaser” rate card. An attractive interest rate offer may be temporary, and the permanent rate may be more than you can afford.

Think twice about signing up for “over-the-limit” protection. It may sound good, but it can be very expensive, especially on a smaller transactions.

Try to prevent “maxing out” on a credit card. Charging up to the limit is risky and will affect credit scores.

For more information regarding credit cards and consumer-related issues, contact Consumer Protection Division of the Attorney General’s Office at 800-482-8982, or visit GotYourBackArkansas.org.

Staff Writers and Advertising Sales Staff

The Forum staff is required to attend weekly meetings from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Tuesdays in DSC 201J. For an application and more information email the editor, Jennifer Ellis, at editor@ualr.edu.

New artist-in-residence upbeat about exciting UALR endeavors

Liz Fox Entertainment Editor

Taimur Cleary is a true romantic. Dressed in light summer garb with hands swinging idly by his sides, he seems relaxed, at ease, fully content with his surroundings. And why should it be otherwise? UALR’s new artist-in-residence has just moved into his studio and classroom, an open space adorned with easels worn from years of previous student use. From the looks of his demeanor and the sound of his voice, he’s quite optimistic about establishing himself both as an artist and a teacher.

“My 2-D design professor was very influential and I guess he swayed me,” Cleary said. “Teachers are the main thing that influenced me when I was in college and I like to think I could be that for someone.”

Cleary, who is teaching Painting I and Representational Painting this fall, is an oil painter and recent graduate from Pratt Institute in New York City. He spent his childhood drawing sharks and football players - both of which he admits he could draw with his eyes closed - and came into his own as a freshman in college, when he was influenced by his professors as well as artists such as Claude Monet and E.H. Gombrich.

But the new artist-in-residence was also swayed by more personal elements. As a child he spent his summers in northern Michigan at the residence of his grandfather, who navigated B-17 planes in World War II. On the deck was a giant compass rose that told one where they were facing, and it was upon this the young artist used to watch the sunsets.

“There were lines for the summer

and winter solstice,” he said. “It was on [the compass rose] that I would sit and watch the sun move north. It was kind of a profound thing for me to see it.”

This, in addition to a myriad of elements such as hard science and historical Romanticism, all culminate into a vast portfolio that has been exhibited across the country. His canvases display earthy tones, but convey a message seemingly deeper than that of his predecessors. Cleary wants to emphasize that his representations of objects are not only about the art or the object itself, but also about the process of observation — a psychological experience that’s hard to capture because of the lens belonging to each individual. This serves as his motivation for teaching a course like Representational Painting.

“A painting is an object first,” he said. “I like the problem of trying to draw a line and saying this is representational and this isn’t. The thing in the end is something we can’t explain fully, and I think that makes [the journey of seeing] worthwhile.”

Outside of his creative endeavors, Cleary is an avid cyclist. He purchased a Kona Jake in 2006 while living in Denver and has since found many excuses for being outside. His wife, Lali Khalid, is a photographer and they are expecting a child in the fall. As with any future father, Cleary is both intrigued and terrified. But for now, he couldn’t be more optimistic.

“UALR seems to be in a transition phase right now you have the collegeage kids who have a lot of new energy and also the older people that are more focused,” Cleary said. “It’s a fun mix ... I’m definitely looking forward to working with them.”

New Batman installment provides perfect end to trilogy

film within the Christopher Nolan Batman trilogy and while it was a brilliant film that is sure to satisfy move lovers, it lacked the darkness and gothic feel of its predecessor, 2008’s “The Dark Knight.”

The action of the movie was very plot-driven. Christopher Nolan, being the director he is, you can expect that everything happens for a reason, and this movie was no exception. The movie had many key meanings and most were directed to give viewers hope. The main focus of hope was pushed at many different scenes in the movie and was worked in well. The design of the movie was also beautifully donethe direction that Christopher Nolan used has changed the way we see comic -to-film movies forever.

The design was nothing less of great. The sets, the lighting and the costumes were all worth being excited over. Batman’s suit was so masterfully done you’d believe he was invincible, and let’s just say that Catwoman has never been better-looking. Although it is different than the Mexican wrestling mask Bane normally wore in

the comic, it made you believe that it was reality. In addition, the sets were nothing short of amazing: the moment I saw Bane and Batman meet for the first time made my jaw drop. Gotham City’s lighting was also great it was hard to tell whether or not it was a real city.

The acting of the movie was masterful. While it was very realistic, it was also plot-inclusive like the rest of the film. Although I was not sure if Anne Hathaway should be Catwoman, she ended up being one of the actresses I admired in the end. Compared to the first two films, the movie’s acting was still superb. When comparing “The Dark Knight Rises” to other films, it’s definitely one of the best comic-toscreen adaptations of the last decade or more. Now, the movie was not as good as the second film, but it had to be one of the best movies of 2012 and I will not be surprised to see awards granted to the movie for all categories available. The movie is currently 15th in all-time movie sales and currently the third in movie sales of 2012. It may go down as an instant classic - the perfect way to end a perfect trilogy.

English professor’s memoir tells thoughtfully of life and career

David Ellis Staff Writer

I

first met Frank Thurmond in the fall of 2010; however, the fall weather wasn’t due for a couple of months, and it was still very hot outside. There is nothing worse than carrying n heavy backpack all the way across campus and not having a place to sit down. Unfortunately, such is a situation in which I found myself on the first day of my world literature class, with Frank Thurmond as instructor.

As he went over the syllabus, my first impressions of Thurmond were formed. He had a reserved demeanor; a quiet, unassuming manner; and a deep but not overpowering voice that reminded me of the monks who taught at the boarding schools I had attended as a boy. He had a way of slipping little puns into his lecture that were like hand grenades, which he threw out in seconds with a quiet laugh from the students. My first impression was that this was a man who likely taught his classes by day and went home and read all night long. However, first impressions are not usually accurate, which I found out as the semester progressed.

Thurmond began to open up a bit more and let a little of his past adventures slip into class discussions in relation to our readings. He told the class of his study of music as it related to the works of Renaissance literature, especially those of William Shakespeare, and that he played several instruments including the lute, which he demonstrated during a class period.

The class was made more interesting by Thurmond’s recollection of his time abroad and all the famous places he’d been and the people he’d interacted with, all of which he said would

be published in his memoir, “Before I Sleep: A Memoir of Travel and Reconciliation”. Based on parts I heard in class I found myself interested in reading it, but I would have to wait for nearly four semesters to do so. After I received it I digested the book in a couple of days during summer vacation, and I believe it was worth the wait.

“Before I Sleep” was an interesting coming-of-age tale of a man determined to avoid leading an ordinary life. It was a thought-provoking work which often had me examining my own life, with much of the story taking place in the same era in which I grew up. While reading Thurmond’s account, I began to understand the truth behind the “six degrees of separation” theory proposed by Hungarian writer Frigyes Karinthy. That is, I had known and interacted with at least a couple of the same people in Thurmond’s memoir.

The author included some noteworthy quotes from well-known works of literature, which fit with the subject of each chapter. He also gave a general timeline with references to popular culture and current affairs of the era, giving a sense of the cultural atmosphere while helping the reader relate to the story.

“Before I Sleep” took me on an inspiring journey which began with the story of Thurmond’s childhood, living in the sleepy backwoods of Crossett, Ark. It continued into his secondary education, college career and the climactic meeting of the father that he had never known. I found the book enjoyable and would recommend giving it a read.

“Before I Sleep” is now available in the UALR bookstore and on Amazon. come.

‘100 Floors’ game creates many escapes for iPhone users

Chelsey McNiel Features Editor

Do you have fears about getting stuck in an elevator? No problem; with “100 Floors” for the iPhone, you will spend more time trying to get in one than out. After downloading this free app, puzzle lovers will be shaking, swiping, tapping and turning their smart phones to open an elevator door and advance to the next floor.

By solving various puzzles the player is rewarded with a new design on every floor and another compelling challenge. Players sometimes move objects or collect tools into inventory boxes at the bottom of the screen; these tools are used for specific purposes like a hammer to knock in a wall or a knife to cut the string of a balloon.

This game calls for tenacious imagination so amateurs watch out, because the tricks to opening the elevator door quickly become more challenging. Yet there are subtle clues, such as objects near the door and related themes on the floor, which help players solve each puzzle. Although there are no options to lower the playing level, if a player is stumped a quick search online will result in solutions like walk-through videos on YouTube. There is even an official app guide that can be downloaded

from the app store.

I have only reached floor 47 and can confirm the quick addiction that comes with the game. Some floors are quickly solved while others I found myself too frustrated to do anything else but look up the cheats. I had to remember to use every function my iPhone had to make it through; even setting it down so there was absolutely no motion detected.

The app store warns of a couple ‘bugs’ on floor 84 that block players after they ‘perform six point touches’ although all chores are done correctly. Also, tapping banner ads that run along the bottom of the screen during play can cause an error. Simply tapping the refresh button within the level should resume play.

These addicting mind teasers have already awarded ‘100 Floors’ the number one slot in the app store even though the game only just reached 100 levels in July with its 2.0 version update. It requires iOS 3.0 or later and is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

Players are encouraged to send in ideas for new puzzles because the game makers are looking to continuously add new floors. The creators have promised a ‘little surprise’ at the end for those who beat the game, so download the app today and see if you can make it to the top!

Experimental band resurrected by new sounds and cultures

Brendan Perry and Lisa Gerrard of Dead Can Dance make strong comeback with new album

Liz Fox Entertainment Editor

For all intents and purposes, Dead Can Dance can be described as an artifact incapable of being fully unlocked or deciphered. At their pinnacle Brendan Perry and songstress Lisa Gerrard were considered part of the art-goth movement, incorporating elements of industrial, folk and world music into the era’s other genres. Shortly after the release of “Spiritchaser” in 1996, the act disbanded with the deterioration of the duo’s personal relationship. But with a 2005 reunion tour came new possibilities, and those prospects culminated into their newest offering “Anastasis,” a long-awaited resurrection released this August on 4AD.

Since their formation in 1981, Dead Can Dance has landed inside their own mysterious realm where most dare not tread. Earlier releases harbored a standardized sound, which led to a hushed response from their Australian homeland. After relocating to London, Perry and Gerrard become part of the English goth scene, which also included labelmates Clan of Xymox, Bauhaus and This Mortal Coil. But unlike these synth-driven bands, Dead Can Dance created a purposely archaic take on the genre by using Gregorian chants, sparse guitar work and drum-driven soundscapes to showcase a soulful side of sin. The fruitful offerings from the group were consistently innovative in a universal sense, and “Anastasis” hardly proves different.

Much like Michael Gira and Jarboe of darkwave outfit Swans, Perry and Gerrard share similar styles while remaining distinct with each endeavor. Perry opts for the prophetic approach, teasing the listener with wasteland wisdom and occult references while Gerrard seems more contained but with noteworthy range. The differences between album opener “Children of the Sun” and more abstract tracks

CJ Waters Assistant Sports Editor

Instagram became an addictive app for users to take pictures and like other users’ photos. But one thing you can’t do is send private messages to those you are following. But now that has changed - if you wish to send a message to one of your followers on Instagram, there is a free app called InstaDM. This app was updated on March 29, 2012 by Co-Work and developed by Cristian Castillo. It includes different features such as direct messages, push notifications, profile view, suggested users, and Instagram search. The app is a 1.1.3 version with a size of 7.8 megabytes (MB), and it is the first and only app that lets you directly connect with other Instagram users quickly and easily. Supported devices include iPhones, iPads and Android phones. In the app store, InstaDM has 16 ratings thus far. iOSnoops, a well-known app review site, gave it 3.5 stars. They also say that it is currently ranked at No. 30 in free Social Networking apps for iPhone. What attracted me to download InstaDM was the icon, which is a silver conversation figure with a green camera lid inside it.

like “Agape” and “Amnesia” are noticeable; regardless, “Anastasis” is cohesive while also remaining exciting and eclectic, something for which Dead Can Dance is known and loved.

While I enjoy the element of surprise that comes with the duo’s discography, I was surprised to find myself feeling irritated at minor inconsistencies. Because the band strays from a linear path by using different music from around the world, concepts of era and environment are lost, leaving the material sometimes more apt for the enlightened instead of a more secular audience. Indian steel drums and Turkish measures filter through Gerrard’s haunting voice and bring the atmosphere of a hookah bar together with subject matter that doesn’t quite mesh with its accompaniment. It’s safe to say longtime purists who want the group to retain their apocalyptic Sisters of Mercy sound will be disappointed to be greeted with something that makes them think of incense rather than ankhs.

But while the group’s genre-hopping can be annoying at times, their willingness to dive into different aspects of existing cultures is impressive. Though a far cry from their more revered work, “Anastasis” serves as another testament to ongoing research and exploration of sound. It also fulfills its purpose as a comeback album, not only by propelling the group back into the minds of its fanbase but also by generating a new audience who will come to know them as music adventurers instead of an empty experimentation act. On the back of this success, Dead Can Dance’s return is not a mere resurrection but the beginning of another life entirely -- one to add to the thousands they’ve already lived through their boundless means of expression.

I have just downloaded this app to my own phone and it seems like it’s going to be very interesting, even though I haven’t started a conversation or followed anyone yet. But the best part about being a beginner on this app is being able to promote my profile on Instagram to inform my followers to add me. That is one of the best ways to adapt to InstaDM, and I hope to explore it more in the near future. InstaDM is available through Apple’s app store as well as their website, Insta.dm. Updates may also be monitored through a Twitter account at twitter.com/ instadm.

Trojan Spotlight: 2012 Volleyball season preview

Compton says Trojans face tough road ahead

Greg Garcia Sports Editor

When Van Compton first arrived on campus nearly three decades ago, she was hired as the women’s basketball coach. Two years later, the women’s basketball program was dropped due to a lack of funds. The athletic director at the time then asked Compton if she would stay and coach the volleyball team.

25 years later, Compton sits in her office preparing for yet another season as head coach of the UALR volleyball team.

“I really didn’t think that it would last this long at the time,” Compton said. “Possibly a couple, maybe two or three years, or I would go some place else and coach basketball. Never 25 years.”

For Compton, however, this season is already different from the rest.

As the 2012 season approaches, Compton might be facing the biggest challenge of her illustrious career. Compton is dealing with several unfortunate circumstances before her team has even stepped out on the court.

Two players have gone down with ACL injuries and a senior captain, Paige Gantar, has left the team.

“We practice with 10 people everyday instead of 12,” Compton said. “It’s a tough spot, but I’m going to coach this team just like I coached the four championship teams I’ve had.”

Because of the early onset of injuries, Compton has been forced to make adjustments that have several key players playing out of position.

“We’re using a setter as an outside hitter and a defensive specialist as a middle,” Compton said. “That’s like asking a basketball coach to use a point guard as a post.”

Despite the early setbacks, Compton is still excited about the upcoming season and is motivated to compete day in and day out.

“If you’re not competitive, you don’t need to coach,” Compton said. “You need to be in the classroom teaching.”

Compton also notes the work ethic and character as positives for this year’s team.

“They are lovely people, they work their butts off,” Compton added. “They stayed here all summer long and worked out with Coach Barron.”

The Trojans are coming off a rela-

tively disappointing season where they posted an overall record of 11-20 and were eliminated in the first round of the conference tournament.

Last year was the team’s first visit to the Sun Belt Tournament since 2009, but have not advanced past the first round since 2005.

Compton returns 9 of 11 lettermen from a year ago, including the 2011 Sun Belt Freshman of the Year, Edina Begic.

Begic, a 6’2’’ outside hitter from Sarajevo, Bosnia, started in all 110 sets last year and led the Trojans with 432 kills, earning her a spot on the All-Sun Belt Conference Second Team.

“She’s a great player, so coachable and she’s gotten better,” Compton said. “She has good genes and has been raised right.”

Begic finished her freshman year ranked ninth in kills, fifth in hitting attempts, and was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Memphis and New Mexico State Invitationals.

The Trojans also feature four seniors, headlined by Emily Pepperman. The 5’6’’ defensive specialist is the UALR career leader in digs with 1,236. Pepperman, along with the other seniors, are the only upperclassmen on this year’s team and will seek to provide guidance and leadership for the younger players.

UALR will begin its season with their first 14 games away from the friendly confines of the Jack Stevens Center, starting with the Memphis Invitational on Aug. 24th. The Trojans will partake in three other weekend invitationals, before the start of conference play.

The Trojans struggled on the road last year, compiling a 2-12 record and

will have their resiliency tested early with the first five weekends of the season away from home.

The conference schedule has a favorable stretch of four straight home games for the Trojans, the first of which coming against Louisiana Monroe on Sept. 28.

By the numbers

2012 Volleyball Schedule

On-campus sports complex opens for play

Trojans unveil new sports complex

Grace Townsend Staff writer

The UALR soccer team won’t have to carpool to Burns Park in North Little Rock for practices or games anymore.

On Wednesday Aug. 1, the UALR soccer team began practicing on their brandnew outdoor Recreation and Sports Complex. Located right behind University Village Apartments, the new complex is just a short walk to campus.

The complex features an eight-lane track with top of the line Polytan synthetic surfacing, sites for long jump, high jump, pole vault, shot put, discus, hammer, and javelin competitions. The complex also holds two intramural fields that can be used for softball. In addition, there is a grandstand that seat 300, a media press box, and 130 parking spaces for eager fans to park.

The entire complex is a $5 million project that was part of a 2009 bond issue approved by the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees. The land once was the site of the Coleman family’ dairy, but the sons of Walter C. “Buddy” Coleman gave the land to the university, allowing the complex to be constructed.

Holly Holland, a junior forward couldn’t be more excited about the new complex.

“The biggest perk about the new field

Trojans net rst goal at new eld, fall to Austin Peay 3-1

Greg Garcia Sports Editor

UALR sophomore midfielder Ariel Galletti scored the first ever goal at Coleman Sports & Recreation Complex in a 3-1 losing effort to Austin Peay on Sunday.

The Trojans (0-2) jumped out to an early lead with a goal in the 12th minute of the first half, before allowing three unanswered Governor goals.

With the score knotted up at 1 after the first half, the Governors seized control of the game with two immediate goals at the start of the second half.

Governor forward Andy Quiceno put Austin Peay in the lead with a

is how close it is to campus,” Holland said. “We used to have to drive 20 minutes to Burns, practice, then drive 20 minutes back.”

Because the new complex is on-campus, it allows student-athletes to practice as early and as late as they want and they have their first, very own “home field.”

Assistant soccer coach Chris McNaughto sees the complex as an opportunity to improve the program.

“Anytime you can take a recruit and their parents to an on-campus facility, it’s only going give you positive results and better players,” McNaughto said.

“Having the new complex means we are going to get a lot more support and

goal in the 47th minute. A mere nine minutes later, the Governors added to their lead with a goal from freshman midfielder Melissa Fletcher.

The Trojans were limited to 12 shots on goal, compared to 24 shots for the Governors.

UALR look to earn their first win of the season Sunday, Aug. 26th against Western Illinois. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Coleman Sports & Recreation complex.

generate a little more excitement for the program.”

“The best part about the facility is the fact that it is here on campus and it is ours,” McNaughto added.

The addition of the complex should build a better group experience, encourage more involvement in UALR activities, and establish new traditions.

According the Athletic Director Chris Peterson, Little Rock was the only city without an all-purpose and all-weather facility.

Now, UALR and Little Rock can host events, such as track, that they couldn’t before and begin to gain more popularity for the university.

Tennis team hosts after school clinics

CJ Waters Assistant Sports Editor

The UALR women’s tennis team will be hosting two sessions of after school clinics on the UALR tennis courts in late August and early September. Women’s tennis head coach Abby Wilson will host two sessions with session one to start on Aug. 27-30 and session two on Sept. 10-13. The costs for the sessions are $75 per attendee, with checks being the preferred form of payment. Children from ages 5-16 are eligible to attend. Participants are required to bring their own rackets and water bottles.

The clinics will take place on Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Participants can check in at 3:45 p.m. Fridays will be used for make-up days if inclement weather occurs on one of the four days.

UALR women’s tennis players will help teach the basic fundamentals of tennis. No refunds or make-up dates will be allowed.

Coach Wilson’s goal for the clinic is to meet new people, get people involved with the UALR tennis team, and earn money to go towards the team’s scholarships for players.

“It’s the first time we’ve ever done the clinic. For now, just trying to get us out there and then, hopefully, it will just continue to grow,” Wilson said.

Sports briefs

UALR placed bids to host the 2nd and 3rd rounds of the 2014 or 2015 NCAA Men’s basketball tournament, decision to come in November.

The UALR volleyball team received the team award for academic excellence in 2011-2012, with a team GPA of 3.6. This is the third consecutive year the Trojans have been honored by the American Volleyball Coaches Association.

Three new members have been recently added to the UALR Department of Athletics. Morris Sipes has been named the Assistant Director of the Jack Stevens Center. Kelby Chambers is the Graduate Assistant for athletic training, and Matthew Loften will join as a Sports Information Assistant.