UALR startup hub changes its name
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has changed the name of its Center for Innovation & Commercialization to UALR TechLaunch.
The new name more accurately reflects the goal of starting technology-based companies and commercial initiatives built around university research and intellectual property, according to Jeff Stinson, the center’s director, in a news release.
“Plus, we anticipate that ‘TechLaunch’ will resonate better with corporate partners approached for collaboration or licensing opportunities,” Stinson said.
The center, which began in 2006, has a portfolio of 37 pending patents and 20 granted patents; executed four license agreements with startup companies; and has developed four spinoffs.
Other commercial and academic endeavors include helping expand the Engineering and Information Technology Summer Undergraduate Program of Entrepreneurship and Research Scholars program to encompass entrepreneurship and commercialization, and planning and leading a prospective academic program for the design, development, testing and launching of websites and mobile apps.
UAM plans event for first chancellor
MONTICELLO - The University of Arkansas at Monticello will honor its first chancellor for his 90th birthday.
Claude H. Babin - the last president of Arkansas A&M College and UAM’s first chancellor - will be the guest of honor at a birthday reception in the home of current UA-Monticello Chancellor Jack Lassiter and his wife from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 8. Babin turns 90 years old on Feb. 6.
The reception is open to faculty, staff, alumni, family and friends.
Babin ran the Monticello campus from 1962 to 1977. He came to Arkansas A&M - then the name of UA-Monticello - in 1954 and was appointed interim president in 1962 before the school’s board of trustees named him to the permanent appointment.
Officials credit Babin with rebuilding what they described as a frayed relationship between the college and A&M board of trustees, restoring faculty morale, integrating the previously all-white campus and rebuilding the school’s image to a national accrediting agency. They also said he helped facilitate the merger of Arkansas A&M with the University of Arkansas System.
Babin left the chancellor’s job Jan. 1, 1977, returning to teaching. He remained a faculty member until his retirement in 1992.
The university said notes and well-wishes can be sent by regular mail to Dr. Claude Babin, c/o UAM Chancellor’s Office, P.O. Box 3596, Monticello, Ark. 71656 or by email to [email protected].
ASU-Newport picks new vice chancellor
NEWPORT - Martha S. Shull has been named Arkansas State University-Newport’s new vice chancellor for academic affairs.
In her new job, Shull will plan, develop, manage and administer programs and strategies for enrollment management and academic affairs. She will work with other ASU-Newport officials to continue to develop and implement strategic plans to recruit, retain and serve students. Shull will serve as chief academic officer and the Higher Learning Commission accreditation liaison officer.
Arkansas State University-Newport is a community college in the Arkansas State University System, which has campuses in Jonesboro, Marked Tree and Newport.
Shull has been the school’s Path to Accelerated Completion and Employment grant leader for the areas of Developmental Education and English. Before she joined ASU-Newport, she was director of a Perkins’ Grant for Retention of Faculty and Mentoring At-Risk Students at Black River Technical College. And before that, she was chairman of English, Communications and Humanities for the University of Maryland in Asia.
Shull has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, French and history from Bowling Green University, a Master of Arts degree in English from the University of Dayton, a Master of Arts degree in American studies from Bowling Green, and a doctorate in English and American studies from Bowling Green.
Arkansas, Pages 16 on 01/12/2014