Campus Talk: Back-To-School Spending To Rise 8%

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BACK-TO-SCHOOL SPENDING TO RISE 8%: A new American Express analysis predicts that back-to-school spending will rise 8% this year. Overall, parents anticipate spending an average of $1,239 this back-to-school season, according to the latest American Express Spending & Savings Tracker. That dollar figure is up 8% from 2014 and 24% since 2011.

Technology is the primary driver for the rising expenditures as more purchases are made in smart phones and tablets, smart boards and eReaders. About 82% of parents surveyed said that their children use technology for learning versus other purposes such as entertainment.

Activities outside the classroom will also contribute to the pinch on parents’ wallets. Parents expect to spend an average of $455 per child on after-school programs in 2015, up 20% from 2014. The after-school expenses range from sports to music to hobbies to volunteer activities.

UAMS GRADUATES 214 RESIDENTS: More than 200 physicians have completed their medical residencies at UAMS, and more than half of those will practice in Arkansas, the university announced. The 214 physicians who finished their training June 30 practice more than 50 specialities between them. Fifty-six practice family medicine, and of those, 33 will remain in Arkansas, including seven who will practice in small towns.

ANDREA ANGEL NAMED FUTURE SENIOR DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AT UALR: Andrea Angel, a 2003 UALR graduate, will assume the position of senior director of development on Sept. 16. Angel has served as director of sales for Trojan athletics, director of athletics development, and director of development for the College of Business.

Angel was the university’s No. 1 college-based fundraiser this past fiscal year, and during her time at the UALR College of Business, she enhanced the Distinguished Alumni Luncheon and created a college golf benefit.

YOUNG MANUFACTURERS ACADEMY TEACHING WORK, LIFE SKILLS: What can you make with a cupcake holder, Mason jar lids, twine, a ruler and tape? Three groups of Mississippi County high school students spent part of last week building a project with those materials and learning more about necessary life skills in the workplace. The Arkansas Northeastern College Technical Center at Burdette hosted the Young Manufacturers Academy, with 14 students from Armorel, Blytheville, Gosnell, KIPP and Osceola learning about manufacturing. The program, sponsored by the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce, helps to teach students about manufacturing, robotics, sales and marketing and team building. Read more here.