06 Nov 2023 Hendrix names Life Launch Faculty Coordinator

CONWAY — 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.