by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UA Little Rock) has received $5 million in federal funding aimed at enhancing cybersecurity in the energy sector through education, workforce development, and innovation.

The funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response.

“Developing a workforce of skilled professionals to combat cybercrime is increasingly important,” U.S. Sen. Boozman said. “I’m proud to support this initiative to strengthen our state’s role in preventing cybersecurity attacks and create additional opportunities for Arkansans to safeguard critical energy networks.”

UA Little Rock is leading a cohort of partners that include the Consortium for Cyber Innovation, Forge Institute, the University of Arkansas, and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB).

UA Little Rock receives $5 million to advance cybersecurity education

(LITTLE ROCK, ARK.) – The public is invited to visit with nationally-recognized sculptor Benjamin Victor as he works on the sculpture of Daisy Gatson Bates that will be placed in Statuary Hall in the United States Capitol at the Windgate Center of Art + Design on the campus of UA Little Rock. The hours are 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, April 25th, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 26th through Thursday, April 28th, and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Friday April 29th at the Windgate Center, 2801 South University Avenue in Little Rock. Groups can be scheduled for specific times by emailing Amber Crawford at amber.crawford@sos.arkansas.gov.

Victor has been commissioned by the National Statuary Hall Steering Committee and the Arkansas Capitol Arts and Grounds Commission to create a 7-foot-6-inch bronze sculpture of Daisy Gatson Bates, a renowned civil rights activist. Victor is working on the clay model from which the bronze statue will be cast. He brought the model from his home and studio in Boise, Idaho.

Victor will join Arkansas artist Kevin Kresse on Wednesday, April 27th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Windgate Center for a reception hosted by the Political Animals Club of Little Rock where both will speak about the Statuary Hall project. Kresse has been commissioned to create the sculpture of Johnny Cash. For more information on this event email the club at politicalanimalsclub@gmail.com.

Victor is recognized as being the youngest artist to have a sculpture in the National Statuary Hall in the United States Capitol, placing his first statue there at age 26. He is also the only living artist to have three works in Statuary Hall. Victor is the sculptor of the Chief Standing Bear statue, the Dr. Norman E. Borlaug statue, and the Sarah Winnemucca statue located in the National Statuary Hall Collection.