UCA President Tom Courtway upped his selfie game this past weekend at the UCA Winter Commencement.
Congratulations to all the UCA grads!
College of Health & Behavioral Sciences
UCA Professor’s Article Published
UCA Professor Dr. Jim Shelton had his article “Li Zehou and Moritz Schlick on the Roots of Beauty” accepted for publication in the journal “Frontiers of Philosophy in China.”
Student Wellness Hosted a Holiday Nutrition Program With Healthy Holiday Recipes
Student wellness and development, in collaboration with UCA’s dietician Janet Dance, hosted a Holiday Nutrition program on November 24th.
Students were offered a variety of samples from healthier holiday recipes including Pineapple Cheese ball, Pumpkin bread, and Pumpkin pie.
Substitutions such as fat free cream cheese, Splenda, egg whites, and whole wheat flour made the recipes healthier and half the calories.
This was the 4th year for the program. UCA student, Rachel Sanders said she “enjoyed the program because it showed that healthier doesn’t have to compromise taste.”
The recipes were featured so that students could snap pictures of their favorite samples.
KPED Faculty Reach Out to At-Risk High School Student Athletes
The UCADepartment of Kinesiology and Physical Education faculty arranged an outreach visit for the Covenant Keepers Charter School inaugural volleyball team to the UCA campus.
The visit occurred November 13, 2014 and was to encourage “at-risk” student athletes to seek higher education. The UCA volleyball team and coaching staff have requested to form a permanent relationship with the Covenant Keepers student athletes to leverage sport as a pathway to education.
The visit was arranged by KPED faculty Dr. Mitchum B. Parker and Ms. Bree Clayton, and the Covenant Keepers team coach, J Keith. Facilitators of the visit were David McFatrich, John Newberry, Brittany Newberry, Marvin Williams, Jim Nabors, Julia Winden Fey, Leigh Ann DenHartog, Natalie Shock, Brad Smith, TJ McDonald, Latisha Standokes, Darell Walsh, and the UCA Sugarbear Volleyball Team.
Former UCA Graduate Received Elementary Education Teacher of the Year
UCA alum 
Brad Cowger was honored as the Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year by the Arkansas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance He received his Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Physical Education from the University of Central Arkansas, as well as his Master’s degree in Advanced Studies in Teaching and Learning.
The 32-year-old teaches at Ida Burns Elementary School in Conway. He grew up in Vilonia, Arkansas.
Mr. Cowger was nominated by his Principal, Tami Burcham who states, “As far as the PE program and the things he does with our kids, he knows his stuff; he’s very knowledgeable in his content area.” She said Cowger also goes the extra mile to involve the community in activities and events at the school.
“I had a kid the other day — I had her three or four years ago — she just dropped by the school and told me what a difference I made in her life and gave me a hug and thanked me. She came by with her mother; it was an unannounced visit. Obviously, it was something that had been on her mind.
“That type of stuff sticks with me. When you’re having those tough days at school, you think back on those times that you know you made a difference. You may not always see it, but you’re planting a seed and may see it later on.”