The University of Central Arkansas will celebrate another milestone anniversary as the UCA Alumni Association turns 110.
The Arkansas State Normal Booster Club was established in April 1911. Frank Steed, a graduate of the class of 1911, served as the organization’s first president. Over time, the organization grew, and in 1947, H.L. Minton, a two-time graduate in the class of 1916 and 1924, was named secretary of Alumni Services. Today, the Office of Alumni Relations is headed by Alison Taylor, executive director.
Taylor said the office is planning several activities and events during 2021 in recognition of the 110-year anniversary.
In recognition of the occasion, the Bear Essentials Alumni Newsletter reached previous alumni directors for their perspective on the growth and history of the association.
Jim Schneider ’62
1981-88
In his tenure as director, Jim Schneider ’62 witnessed the association grow from 2,300 to 2,700 members, the scholarship program expand and participation in Homecoming increase. Plus, the alumni news bulletin went from being a three-times-a-year publication to the 16-page Alumni Contact quarterly tabloid. The implementation of address correction requests led to the Alumni Notes section becoming the most popular part of the publication. Since then, Schneider has stayed connected to UCA through attending university events and endowing the James W. and Peggy Schneider Scholarship.
What were some major accomplishments of the university during your leadership?
There were a number of academic and organizational advancements, which helped the college’s transition to university status, but the most memorable accomplishment was the idea by philosophy professor Norbert Schedler for an honors college, which led President Jeff Farris to call for its creation.
What were you most proud of during your leadership?
The overall increase of interest from alums in their university, which resulted, at least, in part of the association’s increased interest in them.
What was the best Homecoming during your tenure?
It rained hard from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. that day, and water was everywhere on campus, ankle deep in some places. It seemed certain that few would brave the conditions to attend Homecoming events. Instead, alums showed up in numbers equal to previous good-weather Homecoming days, and the mood was far more festive than one could have imagined. It was one of the most convincing demonstrations of alums’ love for their alma mater that I witnessed during my tenure.
Why is it important for a university to have a strong alumni base and an active alumni association?
If your alums don’t support you, you can’t expect anyone else to. So cultivate those who have studied for and/or taken your degrees, and the favor will be returned.
Tell us some historical trivia or little-known facts from your tenure.
UCA alum Scottie Pippen ’01 is the only National Basketball Association player ever to win an NBA championship and an Olympic gold medal [in the same year] twice, having done so in 1992 and 1996.
Carolyn (Floyd) Ishee ’74
1988-93
Carolyn (Floyd) Ishee ’74 has served UCA in numerous capacities. She’s served on the UCA Foundation board, as a major gifts officer and director of planned giving, and is a lifetime member of the Alumni Association and a Purple Circle member. A major accomplishment during her tenure as association director was introducing President Win Thompson to as many alumni as possible.
Describe the growth and change you saw during your tenure.
The alumni office moved from the Student Center to the Office of Public Affairs, which at the time was in Doyne Hall, before moving to Buffalo Alumni Hall.
What were some major accomplishments of the university during your leadership?
President Win Thompson began his tenure in 1988: transformation/addition of buildings on campus, campus beautification [and] two new doctoral programs.
What were you most proud of during your leadership?
Continuity of [the] association, its board and membership following Jim Schneider’s great tenure, beginning of alumni chapters both in- and out-of-state.
Why is it important for a university to have a strong alumni base and an active alumni association?
To have continuous/vocal/visible support of UCA and its programs and students.
Mathilda Hatfield ’86
1994-2000
Mathilda Hatfield’s ’86 first memories of UCA are of attending nursery school in the “old yellow-brick Irby” on campus. After all, her parents, Gene ’47 and Nicole Hatfield, served as professors. Her memories from being association director, however, include witnessing the campus grow in international stature, thanks to programs such as the Honors College and international studies, and attract out-of-staters to programs such as physical therapy and occupational therapy. Hatfield has volunteered as a sorority adviser, contributes to the Purple Circle and UCA Foundation, and serves as Director of Development for the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. In 2004, her family established the Nicole Wable Hatfield International Study Abroad scholarship in honor of her mother, a 36-year UCA French professor.
How did the association grow during your tenure?
Thanks to Jim Schneider and Carolyn Ishee, I assumed a healthy, vibrant UCAAA when I came on board in 1994. Using that energy, the UCAAA board of directors and I developed in-state alumni chapters, and with Keith ’91 and Cheri Svagerko’s help, we developed an alumni chapter in Dallas, Texas. We also developed constituent-based, and college-based alumni chapters. Notably, with the late Mr. Oliver Lewis Jr. ’76 and others, we established the UCA African American Alumni Chapter. All were innovative experiences addressing the needs of our constituents at that time. In 1997, the UCA Alumni Association received the Achievement Award from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education for membership recruitment.
Name some of the major accomplishments of the UCAAA during your tenure.
The Alumni Association Board of Directors and I established programs that established new student scholarships. For example, we established the first alumni affinity credit card program in partnership with MBNA. That was innovative and exciting at the time!
UCA and the alumni office, partnering with the state of Arkansas, established the university license plate scholarship program. The state of Arkansas required a certain number of prepaid orders. We were the third university in the state to reach the required number, thus the number 3 on our plate. That we’re not number 1 or 2 is still a sore spot with me, but I love seeing how the designs have evolved from that first one we developed in-house; and I love the new design. (Thank you, Dr. Nancy Reese ’80 and Dr. Denver Prince, for maintaining the original design plate!)
However, the more important factor for this is that the program provides student scholarships. I got to offer the first scholarship to a marketing and public relations student to work in the alumni office. So thanks to the license plate program, the alumni staff doubled!
Describe some of the initiatives or campaigns you helped to establish.
With leadership from President Win Thompson and the late Dr. Joe Hatcher, vice president for Advancement, we implemented the campaign to acquire, remodel and move into Buffalo Alumni Hall. The late Harvey Buffalo ’32 recognized the value for UCA Alumni to have a campus home and helped make it possible. Then, UCA Development and the alumni association set out to present naming opportunities to our alumni and donors. It continues to be a great source of pride for all who contributed and have their name associated with our first alumni home away from home. My parents, Gene ’47 and Nicole Hatfield, and I were thrilled to name the office of the UCA director of alumni as the Hatfield Office.
What were you most proud of during your leadership?
Playing an integral role in increasing the number of alumni scholarships awarded to UCA students is top of the list. Then, my fondest memories are of the friendships made with alumni, students, and the Conway and campus community. I still keep up with friends made while they served on the UCAAA board of directors; with students, now alumni, who helped establish the campus-wide Homecoming committee; and with fellow campus and Conway leadership.
What was the best Homecoming during your tenure?
This is difficult to pick just one. I loved each and every Half-Century Club event. Everyone in the division contributed to ensure that this class reunion received the best possible event.
I was thrilled to honor Wayne Cranford ’53, Scottie Pippen ’01, Bob Nabholz and James Cheek ’59 with the Distinguished Alumnus Award, and Carol Rasco ’72. And I loved weaving the one campus Homecoming theme throughout the student activities and alumni activities and helping design the Homecoming T-shirt and the activity brochure. I’ve kept them all as mementos. It was such fun to work as a campus team to present Homecoming.
Why is it important for a university to have a strong alumni base and an active alumni association?
Our future depends on it. The investment of time, compassion and energy we share with each UCA student today ensures a long, vibrant, healthy future for UCA and the alumni association.
Tell us some historical trivia or little-known facts from your tenure.
The UCA Alumni Association actually started football tailgating! In 1999, I think it was, for each home game we set up a tent on the front lawn of Buffalo Alumni Hall—well thank goodness for UCA Physical Plant; we had a tent on the lawn!—and served food from Aramark. The UCA Marching Band and cheerleaders would stop by on their way to the stadium to play the fight song to our crowd. It was a ton of fun and, again, new to UCA. That grew to each Greek organization and RSO having a tailgate tent during Homecoming Weekend, and it grew from there.
Jan Newcomer
2001-14
Throughout Jan Newcomer’s time as director, the alumni association had thriving programs. The association implemented the Association of Future Alumni and UCAAA Lifetime Membership programs, which continue to help sustain the future of the association.
Name some of the major accomplishments of the UCAAA during your tenure.
In 2007, the university celebrated its 100-year anniversary and four years later the Alumni Associated was recognized for its first 100 years. In honor of that milestone, in 2011 the UCAAA established the Alumni 100 celebration. In addition to a variety of events and programs throughout the year, it also included a fundraising campaign with the goal of fully endowing all UCAAA scholarships on the books at that time. Through the outstanding support and participation of the UCA alumni and friends, we exceeded our goal, thus allowing the UCAAA to award all scholarships in 2012.
How have you stayed connected to UCA since your work with the UCAAA?
Early in my career at UCA, there were some who believed that because I was not a graduate of UCA, I would not or could not be successful in working with UCA and its alumni to attain its goals and thrive. I hope I alleviated those myths. It was an honor to serve the UCA Alumni Association, and I was very passionate about my work with UCA and the association. The university and its alumni association hold a very special place in my heart, and I care deeply about its future. I have always supported UCA and the alumni association in its endeavors and will continue that support and participation.
What was the best Homecoming during your tenure?
Though I enjoyed all of my UCA Homecoming experiences, my first Homecoming in 2001 stands out as the most memorable. The class of 1951 was inducted into the Half-Century Club, and the entertainment for the event included two of their classmates, Ben and Len Burton. Their comic relief had the entire room in stitches. I still laugh today when I reflect back on that day. Very memorable.
Why is it important for a university to have a strong alumni base and an active alumni association?
There is no UCA Alumni Association without the support and participation of its graduates. Therefore, it is an absolute necessity that students be introduced to and educated about the alumni association while enrolled. In turn, students must be made aware that alumni are a valuable source to help them after graduation, whether continuing their education or pursuing that first career opportunity.
Jesse Thill
2015-20
In Jesse Thill’s time as director, endowed student scholarships grew by more than 15% and lifetime membership in the association grew. The campus itself also expanded: The university continued to develop with new buildings arising during his five-year tenure.
Describe some of the initiatives or campaigns you helped to establish.
Our Join in June and Novembership campaigns were quite successful and led to a lot of growth in membership. The Alumni Assistance Fund was the first of its kind nationally. A lot of larger institutions inquired about it and eventually mirrored it with their own versions.
What were you most proud of during your leadership?
The growth in scholarships offered by the UCAAA and the growth of the operating endowment. That endowment helped to secure the long-term financial future of the association.
What was the best Homecoming during your tenure?
2019. It was one of our most attended Homecomings in my five years there. We had an outstanding slate of award recipients that year.
Why is it important for a university to have a strong alumni base and an active alumni association?
A strong and supportive alumni base is critical to the health of the university. They serve as your ambassadors and advocates in addition to supporting the university financially. The alumni association is key to nurturing those relationships and can help mobilize support for key university initiatives.
Alison Taylor
Current executive director
So far, Alison Taylor has been most proud of shifting all of the association’s programming to accommodate safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has hosted its first-ever virtual Homecoming and launched its first comprehensive alumni oral history project (You can learn how to share your Bear Tale here: uca.edu/alumni/beartales).
What is the size of the association during your tenure?
2,400 members. Since July, we have seen a large increase in life members. Having so many alumni who want to be a Bear for life, I think this is a huge testament to UCA and our alumni.
What have been some major accomplishments of the university during your leadership?
I have been impressed with how UCA has handled the pandemic. Our administration, faculty, staff and students have managed to establish a safe and productive environment while maintaining as much normalcy as possible.
Describe some of the initiatives or campaigns you helped to establish.
Relaunch of the Bear Necessities Alumni Newsletter. Sent monthly, this is a wonderful touch point to keep our alumni engaged. Bear Tales alumni oral history project: We are reaching out to all alumni and friends to ask them to share their personal UCA story. I think this is so important to maintain UCA’s rich history. If we do not capture these amazing stories now, we will eventually lose them.
What was the best Homecoming during your tenure?
Homecoming 2020. Despite all the challenges, our alumni still celebrated their alma mater.
Why is it important for a university to have a strong alumni base and an active alumni association?
Alumni are vital to the future of any institution and are only becoming more important. Who can tell the story of UCA better than our alumni? No one. They are our biggest cheerleaders. Recent events have further brought to light how important private support is for our current students. Last year, the UCA Foundation awarded over $1.5 million in scholarships to our students. The impact it has on our students and their futures is immeasurable.