Each of the events listed below took place at UCA during the Great Depression.
Harrin Hall: This building was initially built with no funds from the state or the federal government. The builder, J.J. Hiegel, great uncle to Jerry Hiegel who owns Hiegel Supply on Bruce Street, agreed to construct the building and wait until 1931 to receive his compensation. Meanwhile, the Great Depression struck and Hiegel had to wait several years before receiving any money and carried the note until it was paid in full in 1946.
Pay Cuts: All UCA employees suffered two 10% pay cuts; the first in the summer of 1931 and the second in spring 1932. The next blow was when the faculty and staff were paid in warrants. Warrants were not immediately redeemable and were never redeemed for their full face value. After the two pay cuts and being paid in warrants, the faculty was asked by President McAlister to loan money to UCA so it could continue to operate. Even though the faculty had suffered financially they agreed to loan money to UCA and the college survived the Great Depression.
Student Life: Arthur Hunnicutt, a UCA student who later became a motion picture star, waited tables in Doyne Dormitory in exchange for his board. He also mowed lawns for ten cents an hour.
Source: ” From The Archives,” Jimmy Bryant, Director of Archives & Special Collections