Eight Campus Projects Benefit From 2019 Women's Giving Circle Grants

Russell Cothren

The Women's Giving Circle celebrated its 17th year of funding on Nov. 1 and awarded $100,000 to eight projects and programs on the University of Arkansas campus.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas Women’s Giving Circle celebrated its 17th year of funding innovative projects, programs and research by awarding $100,000 at its annual fall voting event. This year’s funding brings the group’s total to more than $1.4 million awarded since 2002.

The Women’s Giving Circle is made up of U of A alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the university and was created to encourage women as philanthropic leaders. Members of the circle make yearly contributions to generate funds for the annual awards. The membership is $1,000 for alumnae or friends and $500 for recent graduates, students, faculty and staff. Membership in the circle counts toward Campaign Arkansas, the university’s $1.25 billion capital campaign.

Membership contributions are pooled together and awarded annually to selected recipients who complete the grant proposal process. This year’s grant recipients were chosen from 27 proposals, with 12 finalists selected through an online vote. Women’s Giving Circle members heard presentations from the finalists as part of Friday’s voting event and then chose the winning programs. The amounts of the eight grants awarded this year ranged from $1,300 to $19,145.

The recipients of funding this year include:

Machine Learning to Enhance DCIS Breast Cancer Classification, a research proposal to discover a reliable biomarker of DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) using terahertz imaging technology and to develop a deep machine-learning methodology based on convolutional neural networks to classify DCIS lesions to non-invasive and invasive grades. The research project received $19,145 and, if successful, will reduce the current over-diagnosis and over-treatment of DCIS. It was presented by Alexander Nelson, assistant professor of computer science and computer engineering in the College of Engineering.

Supporting Students in the EMPOWER Program, which will build upon the existing EMPOWER (Educate, Motivate, Prepare, Opportunity, Workplace Readiness, Employment and Responsibility) program by providing need-based scholarships for students who have financial restrictions. The proposal was presented by Tom Smith, University Professor in the College of Education and Health Professions, and it received $17,500.

Junior Forest Academy, presented by Becca Ohman, garden director of Garvan Woodland Gardens in the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design. The academy will expand upon a current program by creating a nature-based preschool for inner-city children in Hot Springs, utilizing the 2020 Bob and Carol Bledsoe Summer Internship at Garvan Woodland Gardens. A multidisciplinary group of undergraduate landscape architecture, architecture and interior design students will collaborate with graduate students to craft a preschool situated within the Garvan Woodland Gardens forests, thanks to their $17,460 grant award.

Engineering Our P.A.S.T. Girls Archeology and Engineering Camps, presented by Amy Warren, assistant director of outreach and summer programs for the College of Engineering, and Mel Zabecki, survey research assistant at the Arkansas Archeological Survey. Their project received $14,700 to introduce STEM concepts through a problem-based program that combines archaeology and engineering, while also teaching students about prehistoric Arkansas.

Student Media Professional Attire Project Pilot Program, presented by Robyn Ledbetter, director of student media. The program, submitted by the Division of Student Affairs, received $12,735 to assist student journalists who have financial need in purchasing professional attire for student journalist work, reporter interviews and anchoring responsibilities while working for a student media outlet.

Addressing Sexual and Relationship Violence Video Series, presented by Melissa Harwood-Rom, dean of students, on behalf of Mary A. Wyandt-Hiebert, health educator with the Pat Walker Health Center in the Division of Student Affairs. The project, which received $11,500, addresses sexual and relationship violence through the development of a series of videos, which will be used in classroom presentations across campus and at university outreach and awareness activities.

Arkansas Reads Program: Diverse Books for the Arkansas Delta, which expands upon the current Arkansas Reads Program established in 2009 by Suzanne McCray, vice provost for enrollment. McCray’s proposal will address the need for literacy promotion and access to reading materials in school and home libraries at Carroll Smith Elementary School in Osceola, Arkansas, through the addition of books featuring diverse characters and themes related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Her project, representing Enrollment Services, received $5,660.

GIRLS: Leaders on the Rise, which received $1,300 for a five-week literacy-based, mentoring program for pre-adolescent girls in middle school that will foster and improve their understanding of their personal leadership abilities. The proposal was presented by associate clinical professor Angela Elsass from the College of Education and Health Professions and graduate student Sophia Vincent.

Caroline Rochelle, president of the Women’s Giving Circle, presented checks to the grant recipients, along with Chancellor Joe Steinmetz, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Jim Coleman and Vice Chancellor for Advancement Mark Power.

“Every year, I find myself inspired and encouraged by the work put into these proposals,” Rochelle said. “Whether addressing needs on our campus or throughout the state, it’s clear that there is a dedication to Arkansas and its people. As a mother of three young daughters, I find it especially heartwarming to watch this passionate group of women gather together and make decisions that will impact future generations to come.”

In addition to the $100,000 awarded, the circle also celebrated its 2019-20 scholarship recipients. Sophomores Nickole Hallmark and Anna Kate Dooly are the recipients of the Women’s Giving Circle Founders Endowed Advance Arkansas Scholarship, and doctoral student Bushra Salamah is the recipient of the Women’s Giving Circle Endowed Scholarship in Nursing.

The Women’s Giving Circle was established in 2002, and its founding members included Sylvia Boyer (B.S.E.’63), Pat Cooper, Johnelle Hunt, Mary Trimble Maier (B.A.’49), Julia Peck Mobley (B.S.E.’65), Harriett Phillips (B.A.’72), Debbie Walker, Lynne Walton (B.A.’70), Margaret Whillock (B.S.E.’57), Mary Lib White and Donna Axum Whitworth (B.A.’66, M.A.’69).

Lifetime members of the circle include Carol S. Adams, Nancy Bittle, Kelly Chaney, Charlotte Downs, Sandra K. Edwards, Margie Pomfret Farber, Martha Cornwell Haguewood, Melissa McIlroy Hawkins, Denise Henderson, Trish Brown Joyner, Kellie Knight, Lee Lane, Marybeth Mayfield, Judy McDonald, Julia Peck Mobley, Harriett Phillips, Cindy Pugh, Catherine Ross, Susan Scott Ross, Jane Shipley, Sandy Steinmetz, Debbie S. Walker, Dina Wood and Ann Marie Ziegler.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among fewer than 3% of colleges and universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.