Hello, I'm Frances Middleton, and this is a dynamic page (in other words, it's usually 'under construction'). A former associate cajoled me into starting this page, but she's since moved to GREENER pastures: California!
Education and Philosophy
After 30 years and a great deal of encouragement and support from my parents, Andy Covington (dear friend), and patient teachers, I received my Bachelor of Arts (Art major, English minor) here at UALR!! Some people still find it hard to believe...
My freshman and sophomore years at Maryville College, were the first times I was away from home. These semesters gave me an appreciation for Liberal Arts, Philosophy and Science. I also learned about belief systems, world views and self-examination. After transferring back to UALR (Little Rock University at that time), I applied the concept of diversity to my educational endeavors by taking courses in Natural Sciences (Earth Science, Botany), German, Landscape Design, Psychology, and Theatre. During my final semesters, I participated in one interdepartmental independent study ("Medical Corridor") and in an individual independent study concentrating on endangered North and South American Canids and Felids.
Perhaps the following quote explains it:
"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an
invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone,
comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects."
Robert Heinlein, Science Fiction Author ( in Time Enough For Love)
Professional Information
Currently, I manage the Adaptive Equipment in the
Computing Services open student labs and am a member of Desktop Support. Please e-mail me to make appointments or reserve a machine. You will have to have a default mail client enabled in order to use this link. Otherwise, address your message to: ftmiddleton@ualr.edu
Previously, I staffed the phones as a member of Helpdesk Support and prior to that, I managed the AUS LibLab located in the Ottenheimer Library. My original hiring position was as manager of the Help Desk in the main office of Computing Services. At that point in time, UALR did not have a Helpdesk; this position was created by formal petition to the Arkansas Legislature and required my submission of a detailed resume of my duties as a Lab Supervisor in the Open Student Labs. Desktop Support is responsible for: the student labs, maintaining UALR's home page (although we didn't design it), the Help Desk, training and acting as liasion between administration and academics.
I drove to Washington, DC to attend a conference conducted by California State University at Northridge's Center on Disabilities which was preceeded by 52 hours of on-line training.
Upon completion of the course and conference, I received ATACP certification. This course is a 'Must Do' for all assistive technology practioneers. In addition to the excellent discussions of revelant issues in adaptive technology, the real and personal connections established in our group have been invaluable. CSUN offers several training and certification programs and also co-sponsors an annual an international conference in San Diego. Participants can access information for this year's conference at this web site: http://www.csun.edu/cod/conf/index.htm.
The 2011 Conference Keynote Speakers are: Paul Schafer, Information Technology (IT) Specialist and Assistant Section 508 Coordinator at the U.S. Department of State;
We encourage students with disabilities to register with
Disabilty Support Services
and investigate the Department of CARE (Department of Counseling, Adult and Rehabilitation Education).
I enjoy listening to UALR's 'sister stations',
KUAR, 89.1 FM
and KLRE, 90.5 FM (24-hour classical
station-tune in at 7 pm for Dr. Haas's program).
NPR (National Public
Radio) is very informative, Prarie Home Companion, What Do You Know,
and Click & Clack are VERY entertaining. Tune in and check
them out! BTW, when they conduct their campaign, contribute-you can
utilize a payroll deduction if you are a UALR employee! If you listen,
and enjoy, Public Radio, give some back! ThY!
Previous speakers include: Captain Ivan Castro, one of three blind officers serving as active-duty Army and the only blind officer serving in the US Army Special Forces; John Kemp, well-known and respected advocate in the national disability civil rights movement, Vinton G. Cerf, "one of the Fathers of the Internet", Ray Kurzweil, John Hockenberry, author of "Moving Violations: War Zones, Wheelchairs, and Declarations of Independence", Tom Whitaker, the first person with a disability to climb Mt. Everest and Ted Kennedy, Jr.
VOTE!!
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The GIS Applications Lab
The new DINA Network
We have a planetarium!
The American Shakespeare Center , aka. Shenendoah Shakespeare Express, a superb troupe of talented Thespians, visited the Campus several times through Artspree. I highly recommend attending any of their preformances!
I believe in celebrating, whether it's a national holiday, someone's graduation or just an e-card to let someone
know you're thinking about them...'course, hugs are always good! ALWAYS tell
someone you care about that you love them, and mean it. Take the time to say
'how are you doing today?' Pay attention to their response. If we learn just
one thing in life, to honor, then we might be able to work towards loving...
"...The form of water is to avoid the high and go to the low...the flow of water is
determined by the earth...water has no constant shape...changing and adapting
accordingly...." Sun Tzu