UAMS invests expert in endowed chair
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Pharmacy invested Marjan Boerma, Ph.D., in the J. Thomas May Distinguished Endowed Chair in Oncology in a June 25 ceremony.
Boerma is director of the UAMS College of Pharmacy Division of Radiation Health and associate director of basic science in the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, according to a news release.
Boerma is a renowned expert in detection and treatment of cancer, and her research is aimed at understanding biological mechanisms by which ionizing radiation causes normal tissue injuries and using that information to identify therapeutic interventions to prevent or treat the injury.
She is also the director of the UAMS COBRE Center for Studies of Host Response to Cancer Therapy and the Cancer Institute’s Radiation Biology Shared Resource.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The chair was established in 2006 by a $1 million gift from the late William E. “Bill” Clark, who was chairman and CEO of CDI Contractors in Little Rock, and his wife Margaret Clark. It was elevated to a distinguished chair by a gift from Margaret Clark, and her son, William E. Clark II, in 2016.
The chair was named in honor of J. Thomas “Tommy” May of Pine Bluff, former CEO of Simmons First National Corp., whose extensive history of civic and community service reflects his dedication to education, health care and community development in Arkansas. Clark and May became good friends when the two served together for nine years on the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees.
ARCF creates Fordyce Survivors Fund
Arkansas Community Foundation established the Fordyce Survivors Fund in response to the devastating mass shooting event on June 21 in Fordyce. One hundred percent of donations to the fund will provide financial support for survivors of the shooting.
Contributions to the Fordyce Survivors Fund will be distributed with guidance from the foundation and a community-led steering committee of Fordyce residents and local leadership.
The foundation will be partnering with Victim’s First, a volunteer-led nonprofit helping with immediate needs, along with the Mass Violence Survivor’s Fund led by Jeff Dion, both national entities with experience serving communities following more than 50 mass shootings nationwide. The Community Foundation and these two organizations will ensure that the funds are managed in a way that is transparent, victim-centered and trauma informed.
The foundation’s normal administrative fees will be waived. A credit card company fee of approximately 3% will be applied to donations made by credit card.
Donations may be made to victims and survivors at arcf.org/fordycefund or by mail to Arkansas Community Foundation, Attn: Fordyce Survivors Fund, 5 Allied Drive, Suite 51110, Little Rock, AR 72202. Details: www.arcf.org/fordyce or Jessica Ford at (501) 372-1116 or jford@arcf.org
White Hall to host fireworks display
Fireworks will be displayed Thursday at dark at the White Hall Community Center. The community is invited to attend the annual Alva Doman fireworks display, according to https://www.facebook.com/whitehallar/.
Historical Society to meet
The Jefferson County Historical Society will meet at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Center, 211 W. Third Ave. The speaker will be Paul Purdue of Dallas, formerly of Pine Bluff. He will be speaking on the “History of Pine Bluff,” and will have a display of his extensive collection of Pine Bluff memorabilia. Everyone is invited.
Agencies close for July 4th
Several agencies will be closed in observance of July 4th.
Pine Bluff City Hall and related offices will be closed Thursday and Friday.
Jefferson County Courthouse and related offices will be closed Thursday and Friday.
Waste Management customers scheduled for pickup Thursday and Friday will be serviced one day late.
Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas will be closed Thursday. Southeast Arkansas Transportation will still take clients to dialysis and cancer appointments. The agency will reopen Friday.
Panel observes Civil Rights anniversary
In celebration of the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act into law, the Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission will host events today.
The event will kick off with a press conference at 9:30 a.m. at the William E. Thrasher Boys and Girls Club Gymnasium at Little Rock. The commission will host a recommitment march at 10 a.m. starting at 33rd and Martin Luther King Jr. St. at Little Rock.
The commission also will relaunch the Dream Keepers program, which helps youth make choices that will have a positive impact on their lives and communities, and the Leadership Education and Acceptance of Diversity program, which encourages youth to participate in community service activities, according to a news release.
At 2 p.m., at the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, the commission will host a recommitment ceremony and ribbon cutting to honor Sharon Ingram and North Little Rock Police Sergeant Carmen Helton for community service.
Details: www.arkingdream.org or 888-290-KING or dushun.scarbrough@ade.arkansas.gov.