LifeQuest Instructor Bios
LifeQuest instructors come from a broad range of backgrounds and fields of expertise. Master gardeners, physicians, college professors and artists - all LifeQuest instructors volunteer their time and talents to share their knowledge with our members every term.
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Bob Alexander
Has been a volunteer with LifeQuest for many years facilitating "What's On Your Mind?", assisting with the mail crew, organized the first LifeQuest Christmas party and many more ways. Member of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Little Rock.
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June Brown
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.
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John Brummett
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.
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Professionally an attorney, he has taught painting classes at LifeQuest since 2018. Click his picture for more information.
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Wayne Chapman
Began teaching at LifeQuest in 2018. Retired professor of Theatre & Dance from UALR, he has a degrees from University of Arizona, and a PhD from the University of Utah. Drawing from his background and varied interests, he incorporates film, poetry, music, dance, and spoken word and dramatic scenes in many of his LifeQuest classes.
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Retired Music Instructor from UALR, he began teaching at LifeQuest in 2018. He has degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music as well as a Master's in Social Work. He has taught about the history of jazz piano, jazz piano instruction, and composition. His class includes several of his original compositions.
Click his picture for more information. -
Originally from Dumans, 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. -
Nancy Fleming
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.
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Charlie Frith
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.
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Dent Gitchel
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.
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Pat Goss
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.
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Rev. Steve Hancock
Retired as the pastor at Second Presbyterian Church in the fall of 2021 where he began serving in 2001. He attended the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (and has received a Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2020) as well as served as a dean and adjunct professor of preaching from 1983-1991.
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Jerry Hanson
Retired Geographer professor from University of Arkansas Little Rock. Has traveled extensively. Relocated to Ashburn, Virginia and loves being able to teach remotely.
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Richard Kalkbrenner
Bridge instructor affiliated with The Bridge House and The Little Rock Duplicate Bridge Club.
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Patty Kohler
Mind and Mindfulness: Journey in the Labyrinth instructor. Professor & Director of Mashburn Center of Learning at University of Central Arkansas.
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Judy Langford-Brodie
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!).
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Acrylics & Oil painting instructor. Please click image to be taken to professional website.
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Ellen Lowitz
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.
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A member of the LifeQuest Folkies music group, plays the penny whistle which he learned from a LifeQuest class.
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John Mize
Began teaching at LifeQuest with the Digital Learning Group in 2019. Retired IT Strategy and Planning Consultant at Capgemini. Degree from University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.
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Mary Sha Moriarty
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.
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Bill Owens
Retired Senior Network Analyst at Alltel Communications. BBA from University of Memphis. Technical and Business Training courses from IBM Corp.
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Earl Ramsey
Distinguished retired English professor from University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
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Elizabeth Reha
Reader's Theater instructor. From Iowa, received a Masters in Theater from Univ. of Arkansas. She has directed and performed in the Little Rock area and enjoys singing and fishing.
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Rosemary Rogers
Has attended LifeQuest classes for many years and began facilitating Great Books in 2019.
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Karen Sherman
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 Beginning Spanish at LifeQuest.
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Fred Silva
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. -
Sheri Simon
Avid game player and art lover who Joined LifeQuest in 2020
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Marci Smith
Has taught conversational Spanish for LifeQuest since 1997. "Hablamos Mas Espanol" is the name of her limited class.
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Tricia Spione
Director of Volunteers and Membership at Historic Arkansas Museum. Began teaching at LifeQuest Summer Term 2021.
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Wayne Stengel
Retired Professor of English from University of Central Arkansas. Courses taught include: Twentieth-Century American Poetry; Monsters, Zombies, and the Strong Women They Threaten; 20th Century American Drama: Lost Dreams, Lost Children in Modern American Drama; and American Literature
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Debbie Strobel
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.
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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.
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Elizabeth Vines
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. -
Connie Wardell
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.
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Blue Coordinator for the national Braver Angels Arkansas branch began teaching at LifeQuest in 2019. PhD in Clinical Psychology.
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Dick Williams
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. -
Jonathan Wolfe
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)
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Paul Yoder
Professor of English at University of Arkansas Little Rock. Ph. D. in English, Duke University, 1992. M. A. in English, The Ohio State University, 1983. B. A. in English, Louisiana State University, 1980. Originally from Lake Charles, Louisiana, he enjoys cajun cooking and jammin' with fellow Dead Heads.
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Suzanne Yung
Has taught Tai Chi Northern Wu style at LifeQuest since 2019.
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Kenneth Williams
BS in Zoology, joined Peace Corps and went to Central African Republic. Returned and obtained a MS in Zoology/Aquaculture. Began illustrating as a part of his job that evolved into becoming a founding member of "Central Arkansas Urban Sketchers" Has taught sketching and watercolor at Maumelle Center on the Lake and for LifeQuest.