University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Chloe McGehee, from Bryant, Arkansas, has graduated from UA Little Rock with bachelor's degrees in mass communication and political science. McGehee has known she wanted to be a journalist since middle school, where she was editor of the Bryant Junior High yearbook. When she transitioned into high school, she remained on the yearbook staff and became editor of the award-winning Bryant High School yearbook staff her senior year.

Victoria Temples has always believed in following her gut, which led her to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. A week before she began college in 2019, the Little Rock native was set to attend another college as a biology major, but Temples had a change of heart and has never looked back.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Nursing has honored its top students of the year during an annual nursing pinning ceremony May 11.

Mackenzie Rash has loved science since the tender age of 10, so earning a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock seemed like a smart and easy decision. "I've always been interested in science since the fifth grade," Rash said. "I had an awesome science teacher, and we did experiments all the time. I always loved science and participating in science fairs."

Last year, UA Little Rock student Griselda Delgado Torres had an experience that is unusual to most graduating seniors. She completed her final semester of her Bachelor of Social Work degree program from a hospital bed in the Intensive Care Unit, where she had just spent two weeks on a ventilator and feeding tube recovering from pneumonia.

In his hometown of Omro, Wisconsin, Caleb Boutin has spent his high school years and summers working at Omro Building Center. Upon his acceptance to the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program, he traveled nearly 800 miles to begin his college career at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, never imagining that his college journey would eventually lead him back to his small hometown of about 3,500 people.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Olivia Fitzgibbon was an active and engaged college student, living on campus and enjoying life in the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Life is moving fast for UA Little Rock graduate and Donaghey Scholar Alyssa Smith. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, Smith will marry her college sweetheart, fellow UA Little Rock graduate Baker Rodgers, on June 10. After a honeymoon cruise in the Caribbean, she will start work as a natural gas engineer at Summit Utilities.

Ahad Nadeem, a biology major from Little Rock, has been named the winner of the 2023 Edward L. Whitbeck Memorial Award at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Frank L. and Beverly Whitbeck established the top graduating senior award in memory of their son, Edward Lynn Whitbeck, who was a senior at Little Rock University, the predecessor of UA Little Rock, at the time of his death in 1965. Each scholar receives a personalized plaque and a monetary award.

While growing up as a child in Nepal, Mayor Inna Gurung had little exposure to computer science. "It started out as a mere curiosity as a kid to understand how devices were working, how websites are built, and how they made certain applications," she said. "But as I grew up, I understood there is way more to it. As a family with a business background, my parents were always hesitant for me to pursue a career in computer science."

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock student who is graduating this spring plans to use her Master of Social Work degree to help other adults who are neurodivergent. A native of Monticello, Leslie Beard went back to school in 2020 to pursue a career in social work. The graduate student became a part of a growing number of women who learned they were neurodivergent as adults.

After losing her home to the devastating tornado that struck central Arkansas on March 31, a graduating UA Little Rock student and mother of four from Little Rock is looking forward to the positive things in life, including starting a new career as a nurse.

Graduate student Nahiyan Bin Noor has an analytical mind, and he is always exploring ways that he can use his skills to solve problems.

Following four standout years where she became a leader of her peers both on and off the court, Little Rock forward Angelique Francis has signed a professional contract to play overseas beginning immediately.

Little Rock track and field was recognized by the Ohio Valley Conference April 12 as Gabby Ayiteyfio received Co-Field Athlete of the Week honors.

Little Rock track and field was recognized by the Ohio Valley Conference Wednesday as Troy McKnight was named the league's Male Track Athlete of the Week on April 12.

A group of 13 music and music education majors from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock competed at the National Association of Teachers of Singers student auditions Feb. 24 and 25 at Arkansas State University.

The Society for Collegiate Leadership and Achievement has awarded Veronica Tess Myers, a UA Little Rock graduate student, a $500 scholarship through the Tomorrow's Leaders Scholarship program.

Little Rock track and field took home half of the Ohio Valley Conference's weekly athlete of the week honors Wednesday, claiming three of the six recognitions. TaVieon Neal was named the Men's Track Athlete of the Week, Takia Palmer was named the Women's Freshman of the Week and Hayden Wilson was named the Men's Freshman of the Week.

As Angelique Francis wrapped up her remarks after being presented the 2023 Pat Summitt Most Courageous Award from the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA), the room full of writers, coaches and notable people from the sport of women's basketball jumped to their feet in a standing ovation for the Little Rock forward.

Little Rock track and field opened the outdoor season last weekend by dominating much of the Richard Martin Jr Invitational at UCA. Now the Trojans are commanding attention around Ohio Valley Conference as three athletes received Athlete of the Week honors from the league March 22.

After claiming the top spot at the 38th Annual Louisiana Classics, Anton Albers has been named the Ohio Valley Conference Co-Male Golfer of the Week.

Katja Mueller has been named the Ohio Valley Conference Female Golfer of the Week after a runner-up finish at the Bama Beach Bash in Gulf Shores, Ala. this week. Mueller's 1-over 217 is her season-best and led the Trojans to a fourth place team finish. Her 3-under 69 third round was also her career low round and marked her third par-or-better round of the season.

A group of UA Little Rock students are stepping up as leaders and supporters for their fellow students in the School of Business by serving as student ambassadors.

Five University of Arkansas at Little Rock students presented their research at the 33rd annual Arkansas College Art History Symposium March 10 at the University of Central Arkansas.

Little Rock sophomore Matteo Cristoni has been named the Ohio Valley Conference Male Golfer of the Week on March 9 following his impressive performance in Arizona over the weekend.

Little Rock infielder Skyler Trevino has been named the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Week for his performance over the past four games.

Noah Eggensperger, a Master of Social Work student at UA Little Rock from Cabot, has written a $5,000 grant to support an annual social work conference in Arkansas.

Little Rock's Jaiyah Harris-Smith was recognized on the Ohio Valley Conference's All-Newcomer Team.

Little Rock's Tia Harvey has received a second team All-Ohio Valley Conference selection.