Learning Resources Center named for Dr. James R. Bell!!!

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, recently named its Learning Resources Center the James R. Bell LRC during its 135th memorial sunrise service. A graduate of UAPB (formerly Arkansas AM&N College), Bell received his undergraduate degree in 1957, after serving three years in the Air Force. He attended Boston University and received the master’s degree in education. Subsequently, he accepted the chairmanship of the health and physical education department at Talladega(Ala.) College in 1960. He returned to his alma mater in 1962 and remained there until his retirement in 1992. He served in numerous positions while employed by the univeresity, some of which included: director of Title III programs; acting director of institutional research; acting director of planning, management and evaluation; and director of the Learning Resources Center from 1983 until 1992 and retirement.

Dr. Bell conceived of the university’s Learning Resources Center 35 years ago on March 15, 1973. He received his doctorate degree in education with an emphasis in educational technology from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. He has published several articles, including one feature article entitled “A Historical Overeview of Educational Media in Higher Education” in the journal, Audiovisual Instruction, now known as the Journal of Educational Technology, in 1975.He is married to Dr. Josephine Crawford Bell, professor emeritus, (UAPB) and they have three children, Bruce, Kimbra, and Kandice and two grandchildren, Kristin and Kamryn Bell.