A member of the LifeQuest Law Crew. Specialized in the practice of toxic tort, environmental and products liability litigation at Mitchell Williams Law Firm. Click on picture for more information.

Began teaching Tai Chi at LifeQuest in 2018. Born in West Memphis, Arkansas. Education in pharmacy. Enjoys reading, exercise, and volunteering for LifeQuest and the Patrick Hayes Center.

He has been a columnist since February 1986 and won several state awards and two national awards from the Association of State Capitol Reporters and Editors for commentary. He authored a book on Bill Clinton's first year as president, entitled High Wire, published in 1994. He began his popular "Behind the Headlines" class for LifeQuest in 1997.

BFA in art & design. Worked as interior designer and retired in 2011 when she began teaching painting. Graphite and oil mediums are preferred. Click on picture for more information.

Experienced oil painter who has taught at LifeQuest since 2019. Won Best of Show Gold Award in 2020 from the Arkansas League of Artists Members Show.

Professionally an attorney, he has taught painting classes at LifeQuest since 2018. Click his picture for more information.

Retired from teaching English Literature at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas after 41 years. William Faulkner Enthusiast. Married to Carol Chappell, a retired Little Rock Ophthalmologist with whom he has three sons.

Mark Christ is the head of Adult Programming at the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) and coordinates speakers from within the library system for various topics since 2020. He is also a Civil War expert and you can learn more about him by clicking on his photo.

Editorial Cartoonist for the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Syndicated Cartoonist for Creators Syndicate, Sculptor for Deering Studio. He studied Art at Truman Alston Studio and University of Arkansas at Little Rock. John had a unique childhood growing up in a fire station and is the only instructor to have been bitten by a piranha and a monkey that we know of.

Anthony Dillard is the Onboarding and Culture Manager at Little Rock Athletic Club and is the Beginning Pickleball Instructor for the winter 2024 term thanks to our sponsor, The Little Rock Athletic Club. Originally from Springfield, Missouri, he and his wife have a young daughter, Emery.

Jenni Duncan began teaching at LifeQuest in 2023. She was born in Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. She has a BS in Education with a minor in Spanish and a Masters of Religious Education. She is a retired United Methodist pastor, writer and artist. She has taught English as a second language, bilingual cooking classes, and Spanish-lead Bible Study.

Jessica Durand was born in Columbia, Tennessee. She is the Senior Associate Pastor at St. James United Methodist Church in Little Rock as of 2021.She studied history at Auburn University and received her M.Div. from Emory University.. She enjoys running, reading and knitting. She has 200 hours as a Certified Yoga Teacher from Blue Yoga NYLA in North Little Rock. She has taught yoga at LifeQuest since Fall Term 2022.

Originally from Dumas, Arkansas. Retired U.S. Ambassador (Republic of Malawi and Republic of Congo) and Foreign Policy Instructor at Hendrix College form 2010-2017.
BA from Hendrix College, JD from Georgetown University
For more in-depth bio, please click Alan's photo to download more information.

Dr. Charles Feild studied at Hendrix College, UAMS and Tulane University. He specialized in pediatrics and was the Executive Director of Head Start in Arkansas. He enjoyed association with the Quapaw Area Council of the Boy Scouts including as a board member. His family genealogy in Arkansas has been a passion serving as his material for teaching at LifeQuest beginning in Fall 2022.

Former Director of Music at First United Methodist Church, Little Rock, and College Organist and Adjunct Instructor of organ and piano at Hendrix College. Retired in 2014, he has assisted Nancy Fleming with her LifeQuest classes since 2015. He holds degrees in organ from the University of Oklahoma and in piano from Oklahoma City University. He has done doctoral work at the University of Illinois. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, he enjoys cooking, traveling, playing the piano, and his dogs, Teddy Bear and Lola.

Professor Emerita at Hendrix College where she was on the faculty for 28 years. Directed the choir and taught music courses. Retired in 2014, began teaching at LifeQuest in 2015. Has taught many music courses at LifeQuest accompanied by her husband, Ansley Fleming, on the piano. A member of the LifeQuest Board of Directors. Born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, Nancy enjoys traveling, reading and dogs.

Began teaching at LifeQuest in 2000. Retired from Toxicology Pathology Associates. DVM from Auburn University and PhD in Veterinary Pathology and Toxicology from Colorado State University. Loves photography, reading, and gadgets, especially Apple products.

John retired from FIS/Systematics after working for over 34 years just before the pandemic hit. He was born in Pine Bluff but raised in North Little Rock. His degree in History and Writing was received from UALR. In his free time, he enjoys wrestling. He has studied Napoleon for over 40 years and published two articles in Napoleon Magazine. He looks forward to sharing his knowledge beginning in the Fall of 2022.

Member of the LifeQuest Law Crew. Former Emeritus Professor at UALR School of Law. Married to local realtor, Charlotte John. Enjoys singing and playing the guitar.

Terry was educated at UALR, as well as the Chicago Theological Seminary. He taught world religions and world history for over 16 years at the community college level. In his free time, he enjoys reading, writing and sauntering in state parks. Terry offers book groups online as an Educational Research Associate for the Cobb Institute / Center for Process Studies. He began teaching with LifeQuest in the winter of 2023.

Retired attorney from Rose Law Firm. BA from Hendrix College and JD from University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Has been in a book club for more than forty years.

Pastel artist with training from Louisiana Tech University. Has taught portrait and landscape classes in Arkansas, Ohio, and Georgia. Click her picture for more information.

Living in Little Rock with her husband, a retired museum exhibits designer, Jane is a retired natural history interpreter who last worked for Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission. Jane graduated from Hendrix College and taught environmental education in the state for more than 35 years.

Doris received a math degree from Queens College in New York. She worked for Systematics and Alltel in the training department. In 2020, she began taking photographs as a side job including weddings, birthdays and other events. She is a member of the LifeQuest Board of Directors and Curriculum Committee. She began teaching in the Fall of 2022.

A member of Mid-Southern Watercolorists, Stephen comes highly recommended to LifeQuest. Click his image to see his art. He began teaching in Fall 2022.

Retired Clinical Pharmacy Specialist. Has taught at LifeQuest since 2018 and has been a scrapbooker and stamper hobbyist since 1994. Loves travel, crafting, and sports (GO HOGS!).

Gail Laster is an attorney in Little Rock who has a B.S. from UCA in Sociology and Psychology. She received her law degree in 1988 from UALR, William H. Bowen School of Law. Using her background in sociology, psychology and law, she has taught about serial killers. In the winter of 2024, she uses her expertise to focus on bad women.

Mara Leveritt previously presented her findings and thoughts on the West Memphis Three to a very receiving audience at LifeQuest and joins us again to speak about her latest book "All Quiet At Mena" in the winter of 2024.

Ellen has been teaching Mah Jongg since Fall 2010 for LifeQuest. Originally from New Orleans, she has degrees in Elementary Education and a Master's in Audiology. She has been an avid Mah Jongg enthusiast for over 40 years and has taught the game to players all over the world.

Floyd has degrees from University of Illinois, University of Iowa and from Carleton College. He taught art history for over 30 years at UALR as well as lead field trips to a number of regional museums. He cofound the Arkansas Art History Symposium. Click his image to watch a short interview.

Has taught with LifeQuest since at least 2015. A professional writer, artist, film critic, and author, he is also the Movie/Style Editor/Columnist for Arkansas Democrat Gazette.

Click on picture for more information.

Born in Memphis, TN. Retired from Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare, Studied at UAMS College of Nursing. Began facilitating LifeQuest Book Club in 2019. Enjoys reading, daily hikes and art projects.

Retired from UAMS Department of Pediatrics, Anne Parat studied Art & English at Ohio Wesleyan University. She was the chairperson of LifeQuest Curriculum Committee from 2018-2022 and while teaching many classes, is also responsible for encouraging many beloved art instructors to teach with us.

Jon received degrees in religious studies from Ouachita Baptist University and Yale Divinity School. He retired from Legacy Termite and Pest Control. He and his wife, Lisa, have been attending LifeQuest class for many years. He will facilitate a Great Books in-person class beginning in the Fall 2022 term.

Born in the United States of America in July, Rudy Rieple received a degree in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M. Barely. He has been a volunteer facilitator of Socrates Cafe since before 2008. In his free time, he enjoys complaining and grousing, facilitating Socrates Cafe, being self-deprecating and practicing buffoonery . Rudy joined LifeQuest in 2023 as the moderator of "What's On Your Mind?" which is now called and modeled after Socrates Cafe (an international organization supported locally by Central Arkansas Library System.)

Rich Roy is a native of Little Rock, Arkansas. With a degree in Economics from Hendrix College and a education in Public Administration from UALR, he retired in 2009 from Heifer Project International as a Program Financial Analyst. For many years, he has been a member of the LifeQuest Folkies, a group of musicians who share their love of folk music. In 2023, he is the Chairperson of the LifeQuest Curriculum Committee and welcomes your class suggestions.

Retired from the Workers Compensation Commission as a Legal Advisor, has a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology with additional hours for school counseling certification and a Juris Doctorate. She is interested in facilitating book groups related to art or spiritual subject matter and has since 2020 for LifeQuest.

Born and educated in Iowa, Karen has lived in Mexico and El Salvador, immersing herself in the Spanish language. She enjoys gardening and swing dance and is excited about teaching Spanish for Travelers at LifeQuest.

Born in Oklahoma City, OK. Senior Consultant, Arkana Laboratories, Little Rock, Arkansas. MD from Univ. of Oklahoma
Started in 1980 giving lectures on science topics and related theological overlaps, Enjoys reading, music, watching football and old movies. Began teaching for LifeQuest in 2012.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, John attended Vanderbilt School of Medicine and had his residency in Orthopedic Surgery at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. He retired from surgery in 2011. He plays the guitar (sometimes with the LifeQuest Folkies) He shares his love of outdoor photography with LifeQuest in his Our National Parks classes.

Has taught conversational Spanish for LifeQuest since 1997. "Hablamos Mas Espanol" is the name of her limited class where Spanish is exclusively spoken by her dedicated students.

Bob Snider is a graduate of Ouachita Baptist University and received an MBA from the University of Arkansas. Following two years as an officer in the US Army, Bob worked in the U S Senate and then had a thirty year career as an investment Banker with Morgan Keegan in Little Rock. He began teaching for LifeQuest in winter 2024.

Recently worked as an art director. Began teaching at LIfeQuest in 2019. BFA from Auburn University with an emphasis in Graphic Design. Former President of both the Arkansas League of Artists and the Arkansas Pastel Society. Chairman for APS National Show in 2021.

Works for the Arkansas Encyclopedia via the Central Arkansas Library System. Lutheran pastor. Wrote "Unvarnished Arkansas" and "Natural State Notables."

A member of the LifeQuest Law Crew, Fred became involved with LifeQuest in 2011. Served on the Board of Directors and his wife, Sharon Ursery, has served on the Curriculum Committee. Attended Columbia Law School after graduating from Vanderbilt University. Named "Lawyer of the Year," in 2021 in the area of Litigation-Labor & Employment Law. Specialized in Railroad Law. Click on picture for more information.

Larry Vaught graduated from Washington University. He taught music for eight years before pursuing his law degree at UALR. He served in a legal capacity in many positions (sought out and elected too) and still plays the guitar and writes music. He became a member of the beloved "LifeQuest Law Crew" in spring of 2023.

Retired Professor, Human Development & Family Studies, University of Alabama.
Bachelor of Science, University of Montevallo, Master of Science, University of Alabama
Served on two church staffs as Minister of Child Development to approximately 800 children weekly.

Rose worked as a Benefits Technician Supervisor for the state of Arkansas before sharing her love of dance with LifeQuest starting in 2018.

Larry Walton began teaching at LifeQuest in 2017. A graduate of UCA, he later coached football, basketball, and tennis. He was a professional tennis player and promoter of the Burns Park Tennis Center. He has a passion for the U.S. Constitution and sports. He was inducted to the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2023.

Retired educational professional. MA in Secondary Education and Teaching from Indiana University Bloomington, Ed.S. from University of Louisville, Ed.D. from University of Louisville. Began co-teaching paper crafting in 2016.

Retired from Mitchell Williams Law Firm (specializing in taxes)
Attended University of Texas.
Has headed LifeQuest's Law Crew which has taught on a variety of topics since 2000.

A former minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Little Rock, JoEllen first started classes at LifeQuest in 2020. She is an online class monitor for LifeQuest and is excited to help facilitate Tell Your Own Story starting in Fall 2022.

Began teaching with LifeQuest in summer 2019. Professor Emeritus of Pharmacy Practice at the UAMS College of Pharmacy. Is an honorary member of the LifeQuest Law Crew. Degrees in Political Science, US History and Pharmacy. Enjoys drawing, and music (choral and chamber music in particular)

Began teaching at LifeQuest in 2019. Executive Vice President/General Counsel for R.A. Wilson Enterprises, Inc. BA and JD from University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. An enthusiast of thoroughbred horseracing for over 50 years. He enjoys golf, walking, and teaching (from law school to coaching baseball), is active in local politics.

Has taught Tai Chi Northern Wu style at LifeQuest since 2019.