Dr. Lyle Rupert ’82 to join the leadership team for the summer enrichment program for rising high school juniors and seniors
CONWAY, Ark. (November 1,
2023) — Hendrix College
economics and business professor Dr. Lyle Rupert has been selected
as the faculty coordinator for Life Launch, a week-long residential summer
enrichment program at Hendrix for rising high school juniors and seniors.
Life Launch began in summer
2022 to give high school students an opportunity to explore career pathways and
experience college life. Fifty-two students from nine different
states participated in the program last summer. They spent a week participating
in “Master Classes” taught by Hendrix professors, learning about the college
experience, and connecting with guest speakers, including filmmaker Justin
Warren (Hendrix Class of 2009) and Paralympic
Medalist Julia
Gaffney. Previous Life Launch speakers have included VF
Corporation CEO and former Logitech CEO Bracken
Darrell and Amanda Brooks of ESPN, both Hendrix alumni.
The
third annual Life Launch session is set for June 9-14, 2024. Visit hendrix.edu/lifelaunch for details on the 2024
program and the application form.
“Lyle
brings many years of experience from his time as director of the Arkansas
Governor’s School,” said Dr. David Sutherland ’81, Interim Executive Vice
President and Provost and Professor of Mathematics. “He is excited about the
opportunity to help lead Life Launch and looks forward to welcoming another
group of bright high school students to campus next summer.”
Rupert, who has taught at
Hendrix since 1987, holds the C. Louis and Charlotte Cabe Distinguished
Professorship of Economics and Business. In 2015, he received the Conway
Community Service Award from the Arkansas State Senate for his eight years of
service leading Arkansas Governor’s School, which was held at Hendrix for 38
years.
“I am looking forward to working with
the leadership team of Life Launch as the Faculty Coordinator,” said Rupert. “This
program has had a great start over the past two years, and we plan to build on
that success with more structure around the academic portion of the program. We
will also integrate more opportunities for students and faculty to interact
with each other outside of the classroom. This program is valuable to high
school students as it offers learning experiences for them as they prepare to
make decisions regarding college choice and career discernment.”
A 1982 Hendrix graduate, Rupert completed his CPA
and MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and his Ph.D.
in Leadership Studies from the University of Central Arkansas.
Applications for Life Launch are now open at www.hendrix.edu/lifelaunch.
About Hendrix College
Founded in 1876, Hendrix College is featured in Colleges That
Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges and
celebrated among the country’s leading liberal arts colleges for academic
quality, engaged learning opportunities and career preparation, vibrant campus
life, and value. The Hendrix College Warriors compete in 21 NCAA Division III
sports. Hendrix has been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since
1884. Learn more at www.hendrix.edu.
“…Through engagement that links the classroom
with the world, and a commitment to diversity, inclusion, justice, and
sustainable living, the Hendrix community inspires students to lead lives of
accomplishment, integrity, service, and joy.”
—Hendrix College Statement of Purpose