The restoration of a 75-year-old auditorium on the University of Central Arkansas campus is under way.
Renovations to Ida Waldran include a lift that will allow access to the stage, new stage stairs, stage floor refinishing, refinishing of auditorium flooring, new seating installation, resurfacing of acoustical panels, and installation of brass railing around the orchestra pit and stage stairs.
The first phase of the renovations of Ida Waldran will be completed by the end of February. The auditorium is located in Old Main.
The condition of the auditorium has deteriorated due to years of budget constraints. The university received a $300,000 grant from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council and funding from the UCA Student Government Association for the project. Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council awards funds to preserve and maintain state-owned natural areas and historic sites.
“This is just the beginning to the list of changes that will be implemented in the year to come,” said Gayle Seymour, associate dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication and a member of the committee overseeing the renovations of Ida Waldran auditorium.
Ida Waldran auditorium was opened in 1937 and has become one of UCA’s most recognizable facilities on campus. For more than 70 years, Ida Waldran has been the host location of significant people and events including the opening ceremonies of the Women’s Army Corps Branch No. 3 in 1943, a vocal concert by President Truman’s daughter, Margaret, and presentations by TV journalists Peter Jennings and Sam Donaldson as well as Presidents Ford and Clinton. The renovations will provide the city of Conway with a venue for community performing arts.
University officials plan to write a third grant for the renovation of the first-floor hallway, which will include restrooms.
Seymour said that the UCA community should be proud to have such an important building on its campus.
“Old Main is the oldest building on our campus and serves as the architectural inspiration for most of the other buildings on campus,” she said. “The goal of this renovation project is to honor that history and restore Old Main and Ida Waldran as a focal point of the campus.” – Lisa Burnett
Sgt. Jake Moss recently completed the School of Law Enforcement Supervision Program. SLES is designed by Arkansas law enforcement leaders to set a standard that focuses on leadership, education and advancement in the law enforcement profession.
UCA Police Chief Larry James is pleased to announce the appointment of Mike Shaw to the rank of Corporal. He has served the department for seven years and is a certified Field Training Officer. Cpl. Shaw will be responsible for assisting with supervision of day shift patrol operations. The command staff of the department has come to rely heavily on Cpl. Shaw’s leadership and shift knowledge and is pleased to have this opportunity to recognize his achievement with this promotion.
Prior to enrolling at the University of Central Arkansas, Wilson Alobuia (major: Biology; minor: Honors Interdisciplinary Studies) served as an intern at the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Accra, Ghana. As an intern in the Educational Advising Center of the Public Affairs section, he worked as a college counselor for students interested in attending college in the United States. Serving with a group of other counselors, he helped students understand the American College Education system, helped them prepare for and take the SATs, ACTs and other standardized exams, as well as select and apply to colleges that fit their criteria, needs and interests.
This fall Joanna Swirszcz (Class of ’08; major: Psychology; minors: Linguistics & Honors Interdisciplinary Studies) began studying at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, where she will graduate with a Master’s in Foreign Service with a concentration in International Commerce and Business in May 2013. The school is ranked the number one international relations program by Foreign Policy magazine, and provides its students with rigorous, cross-disciplinary insights into the dynamic world of global affairs. The ICB concentration helps students master functional business-related skills while gaining understanding of the complex political and social environments within which international business takes place. In addition, since the school is in DC, students have ample opportunity to network with distinguished practitioners and make meaningful professional connections. Georgetown alumni find work in national governments, international organizations, private businesses, and civil society groups. Swirszcz recently began an internship with McLarty Associates, an international strategic advisory firm, and provides research and language support to the firm’s Europe and Eurasia team. After graduating, she hopes to find work in the US government or in a consulting firm.
