Aaron Gentry, head baseball coach and assistant athletic director at 糖心vlog官网, has been selected to join the faculty at the University as assistant professor of psychology, beginning this summer.

Gentry will relinquish his coaching and assistant athletic director duties at the conclusion of the current semester in May.

Gentry has served as the Ozarks baseball coach since 2015 and as assistant athletic director since 2024.

“I’m incredibly excited to join the psychology department here at 糖心vlog官网,” Gentry said. “While I’ll miss being on the field with the players, I’m ready to begin this new chapter of my life in the classroom and work alongside amazing faculty. I’d like to thank [Vice President for Academic Affairs] Dr. Janie Diels, President Richard Dunsworth and the search committee for this opportunity.”

Gentry has a bachelor’s degree in social and behavioral science from Rogers State University in Oklahoma and a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Northeastern State University in Oklahoma. He previously served as a youth counselor in Oklahoma before beginning his coaching career in 2004 at Rogers State. He was an assistant baseball coach at LeTourneau from 2007 to 2015.

A former collegiate standout who was drafted in the 12th round by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1997, Gentry is currently in his 10th season as head baseball coach at Ozarks. He has won more than 130 games in his tenure and led the Eagles to conference postseason play in 2018 and 2021. He served as the 2025 NCAA III site coordinator for the baseball championships held in Marshall, Texas.

Gentry’s wife, Lauren, is the assistant registrar at Ozarks.

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Photo:聽Among the U of O students, faculty and staff members who took part in the聽Arkansas Counseling Association’s state meeting in November were (from left)聽Gabriel聽Mendoza Monzon, Jacquelinne Retana Teshe, Dr. Kaethe Hoehling, Dr. Daniel Warwick, and Cristhel Junieth Mejia Rosales.

Three 糖心vlog官网 students were a part of a contigent from the University who participated in the Arkansas Counseling Association’s (ARCA) 80th annual state conference, held in Little Rock in November.

Dr. Kaethe Hoehling, director of counseling services at Ozarks and a past member of the ARCA governing council, proposed a workshop presentation that was approved for inclusion in the three-day agenda. U of O students Jacquelinne Retana Teshe from El Salvador, Gabriel Mendoza Monzon from Guatemala, and Cristhel Mejia Rosales from Nicaragua, co-facilitated the workshop. Dr. Daniel Warwick, assistant professor of psychology, also assisted in the conference.

The workshop, entitled 鈥楬别谤谤补尘颈别苍迟补蝉鈥� (meaning: 鈥榯ools鈥�), focused on helping mental health professionals better understand and serve marginalized persons who have experienced adverse childhood experiences and who have lived in Central America. The training contained case studies, research data, and ethical recommendations.聽

“These students all made outstanding contributions and commitments to prepare and present research-based information and heartfelt stories to the large group of professionals in attendance,” Hoehling said. “These were more than facts and stories to these students. With lived experiences and associations with individuals within the population being discussed, these scholars from Central America brought important, compassionate, and timely information forward with clarity and passion. These students were also the only undergraduate students in the state co-presenting at this year鈥檚 conference.”

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Dr. Daniel Warwick, LPE, will join the faculty full-time as assistant professor of psychology, beginning the Spring 2025 Semester.

Warwick served as an adjunct professor in the psychology department at Ozarks during the Fall 2024 Semester.

鈥淚’m pretty excited about having the opportunity to share my expertise, to learn and grow with students, and to discover more of this wonderful campus community,鈥� Warwick said.

Warwick taught at Arkansas Tech University from 2012-2016 and has also been a licensed therapist in private practice as well as with Western Arkansas Counseling and Guidance Centers.

He earned a master鈥檚 degree and a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from UCA. He also has a background in electrical engineering, earning both a bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

鈥淚’ve always enjoyed helping others to learn, from being a peer tutor in school to working as a teaching assistant and volunteering at various schools as an engineer,鈥� Warwick said. 鈥淟earning psychology has taught me lot about how the mind works, and developing my skills as a therapist has enabled me to better assess student learning and engagement.鈥�

Warwick said he approaches teaching 鈥渁s a special kind of sharing, where the value grows rather than diminishes with the sharing. I see learning as an active exercise and try to encourage questioning and group involvement.鈥�

Warwick鈥檚 wife, Tracy Cole, J.D. is the dean of the College of Business and Economic Development at Arkansas Tech University. Their daughter, Eva, is a law school student.

Outside of academia, Warwick enjoys gardening, landscaping and raising livestock. He also enjoys making things, including: electronics, primitive chemistry, ceramics and pottery, wood working, crochet, smelting and casting aluminum and other metals, beer and wine, cheese, soap, candles, electroplating, fireworks, and glass blowing. Other interest include programming, cooking and hosting, and 鈥渆xploring philosophy and other deep conversations.鈥�

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Count 糖心vlog官网 senior Halley Wheeler as a fan of the University鈥檚 unique LENS curriculum.

Wheeler, from Heath, Texas, is graduating this December with a psychology major and minors in both health science and American studies.

The LENS (Learning Environment for New Synthesis) program at Ozarks requires students to earn a major or minor in each of three academic areas or 鈥渓enses鈥� 鈥� the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences and mathematics. LENS encourages students to explore, discover, and develop many areas of interest, while expanding their academic opportunities.

鈥淚 decided to major in psychology as I was always intrigued with the many functions of the brain and how they tie to human behavior, and how much is left to be explored within the field of psychological research,鈥� Wheeler said. 鈥淚 am very appreciative of the LENS program we have here at the Ozarks. My American studies minor allowed me to expand upon my writing and literature skills which will be critical in a career within psychology as it has helped me in fine tuning my written and verbal communication. My health science minor has tied in with my psychology major as it has shown me the relationships between the human mind and biological processes related to physical health, which has allowed me to have an holistic understanding of the human body.鈥�

A three-year team captain and starter as a midfielder for the women鈥檚 soccer team at Ozarks, Wheeler had a stellar collegiate career, earning multiple all-conference accolades as well as numerous academic-athletic district awards. She served with the college鈥檚 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) as a representative for women鈥檚 soccer and also represented Ozarks as a student-athlete at the inaugural SCAC Mental Health Symposium this past summer in Dallas, Texas.

鈥淧laying collegiate soccer has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life and has allowed me the platform to grow into exactly the leader and person I feel confident in to conquer the next phase of my life,鈥� Wheeler said. 鈥淧laying soccer here at the Ozarks and representing the University each time I had the opportunity to step on the field are some of my greatest memories and gave me the chance to learn so much about camaraderie, leadership, and fortitude.鈥�

Wheeler, who is graduating with Summa Cum Laude (3.85 GPA or higher) honors, said her athletic endeavors have benefitted her as a student and vice versa.

鈥淭hese qualities I have gained in my time as a collegiate athlete are some that I am most proud of and have implemented in my experience as a student, always looking to put my best effort into each assignment, building relationships with my classmates and professors, and helping to be a leader within the classroom,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hen it comes to how my academics have helped me within soccer, my outlook as a student in wanting to be the best student I can and putting in the maximal effort to gain the greatest reward is exactly how I have always approached my time as an athlete. I鈥檝e been able to use tools gained through my academic endeavors here at Ozarks related to group collaboration, verbal communication, and taking and applying critiques to help me be a better player, teammate, and team leader.鈥�

Wheeler, who plans to attend graduate school in psychology with a goal of becoming a sports psychologist, said her favorite class at Ozarks was cognitive psychology with Dr. Joel Hagaman, professor of psychology.

鈥淚 have loved each class I have taken with Dr. Hagaman but this one was my particular favorite because it is what he specialized in and it was so wonderful learning about the many important aspects that make up cognitive psychology,鈥� she said. 鈥淪pecifically, I enjoyed learning about working memory and attention which ultimately inspired my independent research project that I worked on with Dr. Hagaman as my research advisor for my psychology capstone.鈥�

Wheeler said her time at Ozarks can be summarized in two words 鈥� growth and fulfillment.

鈥淚 feel that I have truly grown to become a multi-faceted individual who has gained so much knowledge and wisdom from my fellow peers and faculty from all different backgrounds,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 also speak on the idea of fulfillment as I honestly feel that I am gratified with my experience here at the Ozarks, where I left not a single stone unturned. I leave with no regrets, thanks to the nature of community and support I felt during my time here. The Ozarks has a community of people dedicated to pushing one another, guiding them, and allowing you to explore avenues you may have not thought you would have had any desires to pursue, and because of that I feel fulfilled knowing I am a product of that kind of environment.鈥�

When she walks across the state on Dec. 21 to receive her diploma, Wheeler said she expects it to be one of the highlights of her life.

鈥淭he excitement stems from the fact that this diploma is a culmination of many years of hard work, being dedicated to pursuing my education while juggling my extracurricular pursuits like soccer, which has always been a huge passion of mine,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 also feel so blessed because this is simply the beginning of a new chapter and a bookend on a chapter that I am incredibly proud of and intend on reflecting back on quite often. I am so proud to soon be a graduate of this remarkable institution and I can鈥檛 wait to make an impact in every community I become a part of, thanks to the ideals and values I鈥檝e absorbed from 糖心vlog官网. And, in return I hope to make the University proud and share a little piece of Clarksville, Arkansas, with as many people as I can.鈥�

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Dr. Kaethe Hoehling, director of counseling services, and 糖心vlog官网 students Seria Cash and Kara Lemcool recently presented at a professional conference in Illinois.

The U of O contingent presented earlier this month at the Dennis H. May Diversity Conference on Mental Health and Higher Education at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois. The topic of Hoehling鈥檚 research presentation was, 鈥淩adically Welcoming: Co-Creating a Trauma-Informed Community Wellness Praxis.鈥�

Cash and Lemcool, senior psychology majors, co-presented with Hoehling. Cash鈥檚 portion of the presentation focused on intersectionality and trauma experiences of domestic and international students. Lemcool discussed the complex needs of students and how faculty and staff can support them.

鈥淚 am very grateful to have had the opportunity to co-present with these two seniors who are emerging leaders,鈥� Hoehling said. 鈥淲e hope that we can inspire our friends and colleagues at Ozarks to strengthen practices in mental health literacy and work daily to create a welcoming, trauma-informed, place of higher education.鈥�

The description of the presentation read: 鈥淩esearch examined ways to educate and support university students and higher ed communities during the COVID-19 pandemic and the surge in student demonstrations. Amidst an unprecedented global health scare, a tense socio-political climate, and devastating incidents of violence and racism, mental health and education professionals asked important questions and opened important conversations. Although the national and global struggles are not the same today as in 2020, those questions and conversations still beg for our attention. This presentation proposes that developing a culture and community of trauma-informed mental health literacy- and resiliency-strengthening practices on our college campuses is a critically important pathway towards wellness. Adversity and trauma are unfortunately part of the human experience, yet we can work to take a more 鈥減urposeful approach to our interactions with students and colleagues in and out of the classroom to foster an appreciation of the existence of invisible trauma and intersectionality that will build resilience and support student success鈥� (Pina-Smith & Scannell, 2020, p.79). Students of diverse backgrounds and experiences are looking to us for leadership in co-constructing healthier, safer, and more respectful college communities. Considerations of domestic and international student trauma experiences as well as examples of strategies to strengthen our practices will be covered and discussed.鈥�

The keynote speaker of the conference was Dr. Wendi Williams, provost and senior vice president of Fielding Graduate University and also president-elect of the American Psychological Association.

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Coming from the small town of Scranton, Arkansas, and never having had the opportunity to travel abroad, 糖心vlog官网 senior Alexia Olmos took a giant leap of faith this past summer.

Olmos spent the months of June and July studying abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she took a class through the University of Buenos Aires.  

It was quite an adventure for the small town girl, and one that opened new horizons for the psychology major.

鈥淚 have never had the chance to go abroad or travel alone, so being forced to go out on my own and meet new people really has really made me feel comfortable enough to go anywhere in the world,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t made me also think that I would like to travel for work in my future and learn more about other cultures so I can better understand people in my future job. This experience really encouraged me to grow personally and professionally. It also taught me to value the opportunities I have as well as value the people that surround me and the lessons that they bring.鈥�

Olmos took a class called Intervention Strategies in Mental Health, which met daily from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. She would wake up each morning, have breakfast with her host family, and then take a 30-minute walk to class.

鈥淭his walk was always full of beautiful sights because I would have to walk through several parks as well as the town center,鈥� she said.

After class, her group would take the subway or walk to other parts of town to grab lunch.

鈥淥ur daily ritual also included having Gelato after lunch from a place called Rapanui,鈥� Olmos said. 鈥淎fter that, we would go sightseeing to museums, markets, parks, arcades, and many other things. Our host families would have dinner around 9 p.m. so we would go home for dinner and then gather again at night to watch the soccer games for Copa America.鈥�

Olmos took part in the study abroad through a program called the Institute For Study Abroad (IFSA).

鈥淚 originally heard about IFSA through my Ozarks seminar class my freshman year from Nicole England and Vanessa Hollowell,鈥� she said. 鈥淎fter that, it stuck with me over the past two years, so I decided to check it out and found that Argentina had an excellent psychology program, which really interested me.鈥�

Outside of class, Olmos had plenty of time to explore the city.

鈥淚 got to be on my own and go explore Argentina鈥檚 amazing markets every weekend,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his was a super unique way of getting to know the people and culture because the markets are super big there. I loved this because I met so many unique people and got to learn several history lessons and immerse myself in a culture unlike either of my cultures. I met people from all over the world and learned new trades or crafts.鈥�

She and her friends also enjoyed a long weekend that gave them a chance to explore another iconic South American city.

鈥淥ur girls鈥� group from class took a trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was only a three-hour flight and super close geographically. Being able to go to one of the seven wonders of the world, Christ the Redeemer, was another one of those unreal once-in-a-lifetime experiences.鈥�

Watching the popular sport of soccer with classmates and Argentinians also stood out.

鈥淢y favorite moment was watching the Copa America finals,鈥� she said. 鈥淪occer is obviously huge in Argentina and their fans are amazing. Our class of 16 gathered at a bar to watch Argentina and Colombia play. Although I was rooting for Colombia, the atmosphere that the fans brought and the unreal feeling of being in Argentina when Argentina won was a once in a lifetime experience for me. Then celebrating that with an amazing group of people was a top tier experience for sure.鈥�

Olmos said the experience has not only given her new-found confidence, but it has also reinforced her career plans.  

鈥淚 think this experience will allow me to better help future patients in my field, since I hope to work in counseling,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 think traveling helps you open your mind and better understand other perspectives. I learned a lot of interesting things about psychology from a culture quite different from my own. I would really love to be able to travel to other countries with less developed systems in psychology and work with people to get programs started, provide training, education, and resources that would benefit overall. I would also really love to work with children in counseling, so this would consist of me getting my master鈥檚 degree, getting work experience, and hopefully opening my own practice within 10 years. I really find passion in being in a place where I can help people, and my goal is really to ultimately be fulfilled in my career 鈥�

Olmos credited the Niece Endowment Student Enrichment Fund for helping her take part in the study abroad experience.

鈥淒uring the summer when I am not in school, I have to work full-time, so the student enrichment fund and its wonderful committee made this trip possible by giving me an opportunity that I otherwise may not have gotten to experience,鈥� Olmos said. 鈥淭he financial support allowed me to pay for tuition and travel expenses, which allowed me to use my own money on experiences outside of my class and better immerse myself in the opportunities and cultures that surrounded me. Not only that, but several members of the enrichment committee made this possible by helping me navigate an area I was unfamiliar with.鈥�

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To call Halle Bollman a 糖心vlog官网 legacy student might be an all-time understatement.

Bollman, who will graduate from Ozarks with honors on May 11, is no less than the 12th member of her extended family to attend Ozarks dating back to 1964. Even more remarkable is the fact that there has been someone from her family either attending or working at the University for a total of more than 50 years.

Both of Bollman鈥檚 parents 鈥� Anneke 鈥�03 and Michael 鈥�04 鈥� are Ozarks graduates, and her younger brother, Braden, will keep the streak alive when he enrolls at Ozarks as a freshman in the fall.

鈥淏eing a legacy graduate is so meaningful to me because not only have I continued the legacy of attending 糖心vlog官网, but I feel as though all of my family members have made their own mark at this University in their own way, including myself,鈥� said Bollman, a psychology major from Greenwood, Ark. 鈥淚 am tremendously proud of Braden for all the amazing things he鈥檚 already done. He has found his passion in teaching and intends to partake in the University鈥檚 education program. I have no doubt he will make not only our family proud, but he will make Ozarks proud to have him as a student here as well.鈥�

Among Bollman鈥檚 family members who attended Ozarks are:

• Robert Owens Jr., great uncle, who graduated in 1972 after his time at Ozarks was interrupted by service in the Vietnam War. He also served as assistant to the president and in public relations at Ozarks from 1972-79.
• Judith VandenNieuwenhof-Owens, great aunt, who attended from 1965-1967 and 1970-72.
• Greg Simmons, great uncle, who attended from 1964-1968.
• Louise VandenNieuwenhof-Simmons, great aunt, who attended from 1967-1968.
• Jon Binkley, great uncle, who attended in 1976.
• Paulette VandenNieuwenhof-Freeman, grandmother, who graduated in 1980.
• Drew Binkley, grandfather, who graduated in 1982.
• Anneke Binkley-Bollman, mother, who graduated in 2003.
• Michael Bollman, father, who graduated in 2004.
• Megan Binkley-Toland, aunt, who attended from 2002-2003. She also served as adjunct instructor of communications from 2008-2011.
• Gabby Stringer, cousin and granddaughter of Judith and Robert Owens, who is currently attending.

Bollman was nearly a year old when her mother graduated from Ozarks, and was a month away from turning two when her father earned his Ozarks diploma.

鈥淭hough I don鈥檛 remember much from that time as I was so young, I鈥檝e seen the numerous photos in the 2003 edition of the yearbook cheering on my dad during his basketball games, and photos of me with my mom at her graduation,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 believe this campus, from the very beginning, was where I was meant to be.鈥�

Another thing that Bollman believes is meant to be is a career in helping others, which she plans to do through her psychology degree.

鈥淚 chose my major because I have a thriving passion for aiding and advocating for those who are not able to advocate for themselves,鈥� Bollman said. 鈥淚 have such a passion for advocacy, mental well-being, and aiding anyone and everyone when they reach a low point or may just simply need help in their mental health. My end career goal is to be a licensed professional counselor. One day, I would like to obtain a doctorate鈥檚 degree in some related field.鈥�

Following her Ozarks graduation, Bollman plans to pursue an online master鈥檚 degree in clinical and mental health counseling through Southern Arkansas University while working full-time as a qualified behavioral health provider for second and third-graders in the Springdale (Ark.) School District. She received the job offer from Springdale schools just a few weeks ago.

鈥淚 received the phone call and was offered the job while I was out eating lunch with my friend, Ciara,鈥� Bollman aid. 鈥淚 was absolutely thrilled and relieved all at the same time. I couldn鈥檛 believe it at first, but in the end I was over the moon about having a job ready for me when I make the move to Northwest Arkansas following my graduation.  It鈥檚 almost impossible to describe in words the excitement I feel knowing I am getting my foot in the door in such an amazing field of work. I feel extremely fortunate to be involved in young childrens鈥� journeys towards their mental well-being and providing them the compassion every child deserves.鈥�

Bollman credits her professors for igniting her passion for psychology.

鈥淒r. Joel Hagaman and Dr. Isaac Hunter have had the greatest influence on me as I feel they care for not only our learning, but also us as individuals,鈥� she said. 鈥淥utside of the classroom, they make themselves available for conversation about coursework and provide their students with that extra layer of support. I have also come to appreciate their enthusiasm in their respective specialties and making learning fun for all students. As a graduating senior, I have no doubt they will impact future students as they have me.鈥�

As she looks back at the last four years, Bollman is amazed about how much she has grown.

鈥淪ince coming onto campus as a freshman in 2020, I feel I have grown in not only maturity but I feel I have grown intellectually and emotionally as well,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檝e grown to understand the importance of different cultures, different backgrounds, different religious beliefs, and how all of these different lifestyles can come together as a community such as the one we share at Ozarks.鈥�

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糖心vlog官网 senior Seria Cash called it the highlight of her singing career after advancing last week to the semifinals of the Arkansas Chapter of the Southern National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) annual conference and student audition in Arkadelphia, Ark.

Cash, a psychology major and music minor from Nassau, The Bahamas, competed against dozens of other college students in the annual event, held on the campus of Henderson State University.

鈥淚 am extremely proud of Seria,鈥� said U of O vocal instructor Jill Van Buren. 鈥淪he put in hours of preparation leading up to her NATS audition last weekend, and it paid off.  She made it past the preliminary round and into the semifinals. Way to go, Seria.鈥�

Cash said it took a bit of persuading for her to enter her first collegiate singing competition.

鈥淢y voice professor, Jill Van Buren, told me about NATS around the ending part of last semester, more specifically, during the time we were preparing for the voice recital,鈥� Cash said. 鈥淭ruthfully, I would have never agreed or entered the competition because I thought I wasn’t good enough and that I didn’t sing that well. Sometimes, we’re not able to see, or believe in the gifts and talents that others see in us. Despite my reluctance, it was her persistence, her vision and the talent she saw in me that I decided to enter.鈥�

For the preliminary round, Cash said she chose to sing her strongest piece 鈥� 鈥淟e Violette鈥� by Alessandro Scarlatti. She also sang 鈥淐hanson D’amour鈥� in the preliminary round as well as in the semifinal round.

鈥淲ords cannot explain how I felt when I found out that I advanced to the semifinals,鈥� Cash said. 鈥淢inutes before I sang for the judges, I told Professor Van Buren and my other music professor, Katrina Twitty, that 鈥業’m just here to sing and have fun鈥� and I laughed. Advancing wasn’t even a thought for me, so when I saw that I did, I was shocked and laughed again.鈥�

Cash said performing seems to come naturally to her.

鈥淚 believe that by heart I’m a performer,鈥� she said. 鈥淲henever I’m on stage or in front of people, I transform into a character, or in this case the artist of a song, and I take those feelings of the piece and I express them. So, when I auditioned in front of the judges it was as if they weren’t there; only me, the pianist and the words of the songs.鈥�

Growing up, Cash鈥檚 teachers called her a songbird.

鈥淚’ve always had an interest in music,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hen I was a child, for fun, my cousins and I would sit and write songs together. When I got older, around 12, I started playing the piano and began composing pieces at 16. And while I never sang, I played during family gatherings and at events.鈥�

Cash said she鈥檚 learned to share her musical skills more readily in the past few years while at Ozarks.

鈥淢y music professors, Jill Van Buren and Katrina Twitty, through their words of encouragement and support always insist that I share my gifts and to continue learning music,鈥� Cash said. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e been great encouragers and supporters for me.鈥�

She hopes to combined her love of psychology with her music to pursue a career in musical therapy.

鈥淚 would love to help people through music,鈥� Cash said.

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Four 糖心vlog官网 students who are interested in careers in counseling and psychology attended an Arkansas Counseling Association’s Leadership Development Institute one-day mini-conference this summer.

The event was held on June 30 at Lake Dardanelle State Park Visitor鈥檚 Center in the Russellville area.

Among those who attended were (pictured, from left) students Jeshaiah Foley, Daniel Hicks, Aryonnah Briggs and (not pictured) Emily Napier, along with Kaethe D. Hoehling, MS LPC-S, director of counseling services at U of O.

Participants heard presentations about state leadership opportunities and professional skills, strategies, and experiences in the areas of wellness, mental health, and psychology. Presentations were made by faculty, graduate students, and licensed professionals from across Arkansas.

Hoehling said these and other U of O students will be offered opportunities for leadership, scholarship, and fellowship at the larger statewide annual Arkansas Counseling Association Fall Conference, scheduled for November in North Little Rock.

鈥淧rofessional presentations will include such topics as play therapy and autism, trauma, using expressive arts in therapy, anxiety, and neurofeedback,鈥� Hoehling said. 鈥淪tudents will also have the opportunity to make a poster presentation on any academic work or research they are working on with U of O faculty.鈥�

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糖心vlog官网 art student Jessica Frazer will present her Senior Art Exhibit, 鈥淎飞补谤别苍别蝉蝉,鈥� from May 2-11 in the University’s Stephens Gallery.

Frazer, an art and psychology major from Nassau, The Bahamas, will give an artist talk at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 2, in Baldor Auditorium in the Boreham Business Building. There will also be a reception to meet the artist from 6-7 p.m. on May 6 in the gallery, located in the Walton Fine Arts Center.

Frazer鈥檚 exhibit centers around mental health and disabilities.

鈥淚n order for the viewer to learn, understand, and relate to mental health and disabilities, I portray various experiences in a visual way to make it more approachable,鈥� Frazer said. 鈥淢y work with its use of symbol, color, texture, and lighting will spark a conversation for viewers and within their thought process about why a certain material is used or what the metaphorical meaning is in connection to the content.鈥�

Frazer said people鈥檚 experiences with mental health and disabilities is what ties her multi-media artworks together.

鈥淭hese struggles, challenges, and emotions are things humans go through or have in common, but in varied ways,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y work uses the human form, typically specific sections like the head or parts of the body like the heart. The material used is important because it directly ties itself to the meaning. My sculpture pieces tell different stories, so I made specific choices about size and media appropriate to the mental health condition. I tend to create larger than life sized pieces in order to accentuate detail, forms, and surfaces because even the smallest detail has meaning. Light and texture are also elements used in my art like in my piece, 鈥�Brain Storm.鈥� The cotton surface of the brain is malleable, soft, and the white color mimics clouds. The lights inside the piece represent thinking and thought. As the lights flicker they represent thoughts changing like brain activity and lightning activity in a storm. With each viewing of my work, something new can be discovered. 鈥�

Symbolism is a main element that Frazer wants to bring into the conversation.

鈥淔or example, my piece, 鈥楥hange of Heart,鈥� is made out of gold and black rose petals that create a larger than life-sized human heart,鈥� she said. 鈥淓ach petal has its own meaning, the gold represents 鈥榥ew鈥� while the black represents 鈥榦ld.鈥�  Some interpretations of this piece could include: a person maturing, someone getting rid of old habits, change, and new beginnings. The rose petals are equally as fragile as the heart so I place it in a box for protection just like a heart would be protected by the rib cage in a human body.鈥�

Frazer said her passion for psychology plays a major role in her art.

鈥淢y influences are from what I鈥檝e learned in my psychology and art classes,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hether it’s learning how the brain works or learning modern art history, both subjects played a role in my work. Another influence for me, personally, is growing up on an island, The Bahamas, where mental health is not prioritized and moving to a place where mental health is acknowledged. This is a big deal. It is really an eye-opener comparing how mental health is dealt with both in society and in the medical field in these different cultures.鈥� 

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