Minority Students Honored for Academic Achievement

Posted on June 27, 2011

The Office of Multicultural Student Services honored 69 minority freshmen and 106 minority upperclass students recently in recognition of their academic achievement and success at UCA.

Those receiving accolades were minority freshmen who received a 3.0 or higher grade point average and  upperclass students who earned at 3.5 or higher grade point average at the end of the fall 2010.

“The purpose of this program is to divert some of the negative attention, which seems to shadow this population and our goal is to showcase and uplift those students who are reaching their potential and achieving at UCA,” said Angela Jackson, director of the Office of Multicultural Student Services.

Freshmen honorees were: Tamarah Allen of McGehee ; Amber  Bailey of Arkadelphia; Jameshia Marie Banks of Helena; Alexandra  Maisie  Barnett of McKinney, TX ; Ashley  Bizzell of Little Rock; Kenneth  Brolo of Texarkana; Corlin Burks of Little Rock; Blaze  Calderon of Greenbrier ; Charles  Antwane  Carter of Fort Smith; Benjamin  Castro of Alexander ; Jatrice  Crumblin of Pine Bluff;  Tor    Cumberbatch of Sherwood;

Joshua Dabney of Marked Tree ; Anreckez  Daniels of Waldo; Nirja Desai of Clarksville; Joe  Hardy  Diggs of Arlington TX ; Deidra  Dillard of Greenbrier; Geneshia Edwards of Beebe; Destiny Frazier of North Little Rock; David  Thomas  Gonzalez of Des Arc; Whitney  Aniece  Hammons of Maumelle; Brandon Hardy of Marion; Alexander  Daniel  Harrison of Little Rock; Jasmine  Michelle  Haymer of Helena; Joseph  Holloway of North Little Rock; Melanie  Jones of Conway; Mariska Jordan of Little Rock; Anthony  Clinton  Kiper of New Orleans;

Maria  Gomez  Kramer of Conway; Ashley  Mariah  Lacefield Rodriguez of Mountain Home; Thuy  Trang  Le of Conway; Rita  Lebbie of North Little Rock; Claudia  Lopez of Conway; Donnie  Patrick  Madden of Conway; Lauren Marshall of Benton; Billy McFarland of Little Rock; Markita  Mendenhall of Hot Springs; Jennifer  Merino of Dardanelle ; LaQuentin  Jacques  Miles of Conway; Savannah Moix of Conway; Derrick  Jordan  Moses of Fort Smith; Nhan  Dinh  Nguyen of Conway; Nicole  A  Poe of Leachville; Marquis  D’Shun  Reeves of North Little Rock; Martin Resendiz of Rogers; Ashley  Niconya  Robinson of North Little Rock; Joshua  Bradley  Ross of Maumelle; Helbert Ruiz of Conway;

Elisa Salas of Bonnerdale; Esther Sanchez of Conway; Amber Sanders of Pine Bluff; Erica Sheff of Marion; Michael Silva-Nash of Maumelle; Rudy  Stevenson of Marion; Lytesha  Lanaye  Stuckey of Little Rock; Tianpeng  Sun of Conway; Marcel Threat of Sugar Land TX ; Rudy  Torres of Garfield; Meyosha  Franchessca  Trammell of Fordyce; Priscilla  Trammell; Roosevelt  Tyler of Springdale; Anthony  Vaughn of Fulton; Joseph  Paul  Walker of Plumerville; Charlotte  M  White of Little Rock; Derrick  White of Wilson; Jasmyn  Dionne  Wilkins of Conway; Adrianna  N  Williams of Bearden; Phillip  Worthy of Houston TX and Zequan  Zhang of Shreveport LA.

Upperclass students recognized were: Abdias Montoya of Little Rock; Alan  Nguyen of Bryant; Alexandrea  Elizabeth  Rios of Albuquerque, NM; Allen Thomas of Malvern; Alyssa Baldridge of Greenwood; Amanda  Kroger of Little Rock; Amanda Smallwood of Prescott; Amber  Haydar of Jonesboro; Angela  Branch of Proctor; Anthony  Blackmon of Conway;  Ayvee Cruz of Texarkana; Brian Smith of Benton; Cajua Johnson of Conway; Cassandra  Reshea  Goodwin of Little Rock; Cassandra  Ramona Meyer  Hernandez of Bentonville;

Charles  Ausler of Plumerville; Chloe Moorehead of Greenbrier; Christian  Haney of Morrilton; Christian  Jacquez of Bigelow; Christina  Day of Lepanto;  Christina  Huynh of Maumelle; Christina  Marie  Villa of Texarkana; Clara  Avila of Conway;  Country  Hendershot of Conway; Crystal Hampton of Conway; Daniel  Harper of Little Rock; Danielle  Nicole  Osborne of Conway;  Darryl  Allen  Gash of Conway ; David Russell of Conway; Deanna  Marie  Robbins of Greenbrier ; Deborah Oluokun of Greenbrier;  Devon  Lee  Patterson of Little Rock;  Deziree  Lafaye  Tull of Marked Tree;

Dipali  Yogin  Patel of Conway; Duan  Nguyen of Conway;  Dulce  Elizabeth  Armas of North Little Rock;  Elbony Moore of Marianna;  Elise Hampton of Conway; Elizabeth  Lourdes  Moore of Hot Springs; Eric  Sanders of Mountain Home; Erica  Michelle  Lewis of Cabot;  Erika Lozano of Conway; Frances  Alford of Maumelle;  Gregory Sketas of Conway; Harold  Crow of Hope; Hazlett  Hernandez of Mena; Helena  Thunhi Thi  Van of White Hall; Jamie  Derusse of North Little Rock;

Jennyfer  C  Delvasto of Bentonville; John  R  Crone of Conway; John  Neil  Green of Conway; Jonathan  James  Amoakohene of Conway; Jonathan  B  Randle of Little Rock; Jordan  M  Karpe of Little Rock; Justin  M  Wertz of Beebe; Karen  Annette  Byers of Conway; Kari  A  Servedio of Conway; Kari  Mariko  Wernecke of Hot Springs; Karl  Scott  Smith of Conway; Kayla  Jo  Nabholz of Conway; Kevin  Nathanial  Chambers of Plumerville; Krystle  Glass of Conway;

Lasea  Suzanne  Been of Pocola OK; LaTisha  Monique  Stevenson of Conway; Latrese Lyons  of North Little Rock; Li-Chen Chen of Conway; Lillian  P  Turner of Austin;  Lindsey  B.  Smith of Springdale; Luis  Alberto  Montiel of De Queen; Lyna  Van of Conway; Maimoona Qazi of Conway; Marcus  Edward  Dumas of Conway; Mark Staples of Cabot ; Marsha  Renee  Cartwright of Conway; Mary  June  Cox of West Memphis; Melissa  A  Beltran of Little Rock; Melissa  Lavender of Conway; Micah  Rice of Little Rock; Miranda  Lynn  Caffey of Redwater TX; Montoya  Fudge of North Little Rock; Natalie  Johnson of Conway;

Nicholas  Bruce  Garza of Mayflower; NiravKumar  DipakKumar  Patel of Forrest City; Olivia Padilla of Mena; Pamela  Rae  Hughey of Benton; Ralph  Isaiah  Cosio of Conway; Ranee  Davis of Hot Springs; Raven  Cruz of Conway; Rebecca  Lee  Krisell of Greenbrier; Rebecca  Smith of Conway; Roshan  Daniel  Doolabh  Beebe; Russel Viegas of Little Rock; Sarah Etheridge of Hot Springs; Senetra Williams of Sherwood; Shalisa  Walker of Lonoke; Shawnessa Ray of Conway; Stephanie  Lyn  Means of Conway; Tammy Eick of  Cabot; Thuy  Hoang of Conway; Timia  Marie  Watson of Little Rock; Tsungyen  Chen of Conway; Venusa    Phomakay of Alma; Vera  Jean  Robinson of West Memphis; William Ramirez of Jonesboro; Wilson  Mawutor  Alobuia of Conway;  and Yvon  Cobian of Conway

 

 

 

 

UCA, Hot Springs Students Place in Chinese Language Competition

Posted on June 27, 2011

Confucius Institute at the University of Central Arkansas sent two students to Houston to participate in the Chinese Bridge—Chinese Language Competition. David Teaster is a student of Chinese at UCA and Paige Morphew is a sophomore at Hot Springs High School. The contest was held in April at the Consulate General of China in Houston. The Chinese Consulate at Houston has jurisdiction over eight southern states and Puerto Rico. 

The Chinese Bridge Contest is a worldwide Chinese language proficiency contest. It requires a good understanding of Chinese culture and language skills. There were seven high school student and eight college student participating in the competition. Paige won the second prize and David won honorable mention. Paige will have the opportunity to go to China to watch the world competition in China in October. 

 

Outreach and Community Engagement News

Posted on June 27, 2011

Amy Whitehead, coordinator for the Center for Community and Economic Development, was re-certified as a Professional Community and Economic Developer (PCED) through October 31, 2015. The PCED Certification is a designation offered for professionals who have demonstrated knowledge and experience in the field of community and economic development. The certification is designated by the national Community Development Council.

Kristy Carter, director of marketing and Shaneil Ealy, assistant dean of programs and services for the Division of Outreach and Community Engagement, were honored as former presidents at the Arkansas Council for Women in Higher Education’s (ACWHE) annual symposium.  The focus of this year’s symposium was “The Past, Present and Future of Women in Higher Education.”   Kristy Carter served as president in 2010 and continues to serve on ACWHE’s planning and legislative committees.  She is also the state coordinator for the American Council on Education’s Office of Women in Higher Education, headquartered in Washington, D.C.  Shaneil Ealy served as president in 2009 and continues to serve on the planning and scholarship committees.

College of Education News

Posted on June 27, 2011

Mary Mosley, Charlotte Cone Reflect on Their Years at UCA and Future Plans

Retirement: Pleased, Excited, Proud
Mary H.  Mosley
Department of Early Childhood, Special Education
College of Education

When I came to UCA 20 years ago, I was pleased, excited, and proud.  I was pleased to be hired as director of the UCA Reading Success Center and to be teaching graduate students pursuing their Master’s degrees in reading/literacy.  I was excited at the potential for expanding the services of the UCA Reading Center as a one summer semester annual experience to a year-round program serving students and their families in central Arkansas.  I was proud to become associated with the University of Central Arkansas and to teach with a faculty whom I had long admired.

 Before coming to UCA, I was employed as director of reading for the Little Rock School District (LRSD).  I left LRSD to serve as associate superintendent and curriculum director for Vilonia School District, but two years later the Little Rock Schools asked me to return as director of reading and director of the district’s Instructional Resource Center.  I have been fortunate throughout my career to teach and work in positions I have truly enjoyed; each job I have had was, at the time, my “favorite” job.  I taught English at the high school and university levels as well as reading and literacy at the middle and elementary school levels.  I also directed the reading center at the University of North Texas University before coming to Arkansas.

 My scholarship and research at UCA have focused on the Reading Center.  I have studied and improved the center’s research-based lesson plan that reflects current best practices.  Through ongoing examination of the effects of reading methods used at the center, I have been able to share with the profession, through publications and presentations, my findings and results to improve reading instruction for struggling readers.  During the past 20 years, I have obtained grants on my own and with colleagues to improve studies and services at the center.

 Currently, I have devised a bi-lingual lesson plan format that we are using to better serve English Language Learners (ELLs), their parents, and the other students at the center.  My graduate students and I are researching the results of this bilingual lesson for our ELLs, their parents, and the other students who receive instruction with the ELL students.  We have English speaking children learning vocabulary and phrases in the language of the ELL students, who get to act as the “teachers” of their original language for the other children.  One parent told me that her child has been so excited about learning Spanish that she has involved the whole family in learning Spanish words and phrases and facts about the Hispanic culture and people.

My teaching also has been influenced by the UCA Reading Center, but in addition to preparing future reading specialists, I also am heavily involved with studying and increasing successful Literacy Coaching to the curriculum of the UCA reading program.  Annually, I present research and practices at the International Reading Association (IRA) conference, and I gain many keen insights each year from the sessions I attend, as well as the sessions I present. 

Additionally I have involved two or three of my UCA graduate students each year for the past 10 years in presenting some of their research findings at the annual state reading conference of the Arkansas Reading Association.  I helped establish the Arkansas Literacy Teacher Educators as a special interest group of the ARA, and we include student presenters each year at our conference session.  I have been fortunate to receive primarily positive responses to student evaluations of my teaching, both formal and informal, but I am continually looking for ways to become a better and more effective teacher.  I believe teaching is the most rewarding endeavor, at least for me, and I am still learning how to be a successful teacher with students whose knowledge, teaching, and dispositions reveal successful learning.

 Through my teaching at UCA and involvement in professional associations and activities, I am also fortunate to engage in service activities.  I serve on the Board of Directors for the Literacy Action for Central Arkansas Council and on the Faulkner County Literacy Council (FCLC) Board of Directors.  I have led the tutor training for FCLC for the past two years. Plus, I present at schools and agencies throughout the area, serving as professional development provider and consultant on curriculum development, instructional practices, and storytelling.  I serve as an officer of the local, state and national reading associations, having served as president, membership director and journal editor of the state association and as Editorial Board for the IRA journal, The Reading Teacher, and also on the editorial board of the national journal of the Professors of Reading Teacher Educators.  At UCA, I have enjoyed 12 years on the Faculty Senate and now 6 years on the UCA Faculty Handbook Committee, as well as service on other university, college and department committees and projects.

As I complete my final semester of teaching at UCA, I am reminded of what one of my colleagues in the national reading organization told me at the IRA meeting last May.  He said, “Mary, you are retiring from your university, but you are not retiring from the profession.  We expect to see you here next year at IRA.” 

He was right; I am not retiring from the profession.  I will remain active in helping children and adults with their literacy learning.  I will continue activities of scholarship, teaching, and service. 

I was pleased, excited and proud when I came to UCA.  Now I am pleased that I had the opportunity to serve and learn here at UCA.  I am excited to see what the next phase of my life will bring me.  I am proud to have been a part of the faculty and all that is accomplished every day by great professionals at the University of Central Arkansas.  I will celebrate the continued successes of this great university as sincerely as I do those of my own family.  Thank you, UCA, for the wonderful years I have enjoyed here.  I appreciate you as my colleagues and as my friends. 

Begin with the End in Mind
Charlotte Cone
Department of Leadership Studies
College of Education

In his book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey advocates in Habit #2 that people should: “Begin with the End in Mind.”  I think the only time that I ever started anything with 2“the end in mind” was the pursuit of my Ed.D. degree from the University of Memphis.  As a first generation college student, I made my decision more like the line from the Robert Frost poem that resonates with the words: “two roads diverged in a yellow wood” and I took the path that led me into the world of postsecondary education.  Looking back 34 years later, I can say “it has made all the difference.” 

I wish I could tell you that, when I finished my bachelor’s degree with a major in English in 1970 and a master’s degree in 1977 from UCA, I knew I was going to work for the next 20 years in two-year colleges in Arkansas and the last 14 years by returning to my hometown and the University of Central Arkansas.  I have enjoyed my journey in higher education.  I loved working with two-year college students, watching them grow and develop academically. 

When I returned in UCA in 1997, I was able to continue working with at-risk students through University College and to teach new professionals pursuing their master’s degrees in the College Student Personnel Services and Administration program.  Along the way, I enjoyed serving as Activity Director for the Title III Grant and for a short period of time as Assistant Provost and Director of Sponsored Programs. 

When Dr. Terry James, Chair of the Department of Leadership Studies, looked at this article, he reflected, “Maybe we don’t really need to start with the end but should learn to enjoy the travel because when we finish the trip, it’s the experiences, relationships and successes we’ve helped others achieve that we carry with us.”  I think he is correct.  I know I leave with many great memories and feeling blessed to have worked with some wonderful professionals, faculty and students.

External Funding Received by College of Education Faculty for 2010-11

We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution grant:  This grant funds professional development opportunities for teachers of grades 3-12 across Arkansas.  The funds supply high quality professional development workshops and institutes for teachers to explore the curriculum and then participate in a performance assessments similar to assessments used in 3 – 12 classrooms.  Participants at any of the grant funded workshops or institutes receive a classroom set of 30 We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution textbooks.  The textbooks are free to the teacher and are published for the elementary, middle, and high school levels.  Additionally, the grant funds an annual high school state competition with the top team in the state advancing to the national finals held in Washington, DC.

 Dr. Jeff Whittingham, associate professor, Department of Teaching and Learning; “We The People” State Coordinator

Ms. Marilyn Friga, instructor, Department of Teaching and Learning; Congressional District Coordinator

Dr. Pat Ramsey, assistant professor, Department of History; Congressional District Coordinator

Title IIA Literacy grant: The Mashburn Center for Learning was awarded $325,400 by the Arkansas Department of Education.  In its fifth year, ADE has awarded the Mashburn Center approximately $2,000,000.  The major goal is to increase capacity by improving academic outcomes for Arkansas students at risk for school failure by ensuring access to high quality, research-based, strategy instruction.  Funding high-quality, research-based professional development to general and special education teachers who work with adolescents with learning problems, the grant builds teacher capacity for demonstrating mastery in the application of the Strategic Instruction Model methodologies and increases sustainability and scalability of high quality, research-based, strategy instruction used by the participating district teaching teams in the 15 school districts involved in this intervention.  Approximately 30 educators have become certified Professional Developers in the Strategic Instruction Model including 20 content specialists (math, science, and literacy) participating as Potential Professional Developers who aim to increase the growth of Professional Developers in Arkansas for the sustainability of the Arkansas Adolescent Literacy Intervention.

Dr. Mark Cooper, professor, Early Childhood Special Education; director of the Mashburn Center for Learning

Dr. Patty Kohler-Evans, associate professor, Early Childhood Special Education; SIM Certified Professional Developer

Dr. Renee Calhoon, coordinator for Administrator and Teacher Development; SIM Certified Professional Developer

Pathwise: Promoting Professional Practice: UCA, the Professional Education Unit, and the College of Education are proud to partner with the Arkansas Department of Education to provide Pathwise guidance for area educators.  Pathwise is an induction program required by the state of Arkansas to provide direct assistance to novice teachers and to prepare them for the performance assessment (Praxis III) required for licensure following the same criteria used in the College of Education with teacher candidates.  Veteran classroom teachers and school administrators are educated in the Pathwise model so they are ready to assist new teachers in mastering effective teaching practices and passing the performance assessment.

Ms. Debbie Barnes, Assistant Dean

Ms. Sue Farris, coordinator of Internship II

Dr. Mary Mosely, associate professor, Department of Early Childhood/Special Education

Ms. Marilyn Friga, instructor; Department of Teaching and Learning

Ms. LeeAnn Burrow, Pathwise trainer

Arkansas Research Center: The College of Education continues to receive grant funding to operate the Arkansas Research Center (ARC) with the mission to foster effective educational data use and to serve as a clearing house for state agency educational data.  Neal Gibson, director of ARC, along with other ARC researchers play an active role in the development of protocols to link student data along the P-16 continuum; preserve the confidentiality and integrity of individuals’ data; and improve data collection, reporting, and analysis systems to enhance the role of data in state evaluation protocols.  Additionally, ARC maintains online data resources to communicate student achievement and growth trends of public schools in Arkansas.  Through ARC’s QuickLooks (http://quicklooks.arkansas.gov/ade/ ) and Hive ( http://hive.arkansas.gov/ ) websites, viewers can instantly see how schools compare to and compare with one another on a local and statewide level including how a school has improved over the years.  To date, more than $2 million has been received by ARC.

Dr. Lisa Daniels, Association Professor, Department of Teaching and Learning; Principal Investigator of Grant/Contract

Professional Development Support for the EAST Initiative in America’s Schools:  EAST is an innovative program for elementary and secondary schools that blends advanced technologies with project-based learning and civic learning to help students develop authentic solutions to student identified local community issues.  EAST programs enroll more than 10,000 students each year.  EAST, Inc. provides initial training for all new facilitators (teachers) hired to direct EAST learning environments as well as offers extensive follow-up professional development for these facilitators.  Dr. James works with the EAST staff to develop and deliver training modules, critique delivery of training, and help identify pedagogical trends that inform the training program.  EAST classrooms exist in approximately 200 Arkansas P-12 schools as well as in 4 other states.  Dr. James has served in these capacities for EAST since EAST expanded from its origins at Greenbrier High School in 1997.

Dr. Terry James, Chair, Department of Leadership Studies 

Division of Child Care & Early Childhood Education, Division of Human Services, Quality Grant:  By earning an outstanding score on the Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale during an onsite visit earlier in the year, the UCA Child Study Center was awarded funds to purchase new equipment to replace old equipment and new materials and supplies for the Center.

Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Child Chare and Early Childhood Education, Professional Development Grant: For maintaining a 3-star Better Beginnings certificate for the UCA Child Study Center, the Center received funds to purchase supplies and provide professional development for the staff at the center.

Mrs. Kathy Moore, Director of the Child Study Center; Instructor, Department of Early Childhood/Special Education

Quality of Teacher Preparation and Certification/Licensure Programs Annual Report

 The University of Central Arkansas Title II Report Card for 2009-2010 was recently submitted by the College of Education.  Title II of the Higher Education Act requires higher education institutions to report on the quality of their teacher preparation and certification/licensure programs.  The Title II data that were submitted included information about both the undergraduate teacher preparation programs and the Master of Arts in Teaching program.  The Title II Report requires institutions to include current information regarding

  • program admission requirements;
  • the number of students who are admitted and enrolled in the program;
  • the number of hours required for clinical experiences, the number of students in clinical experiences, and the number of faculty (full-time or adjunct) who supervise during clinical experiences;
  • the number of teachers prepared, including major and subject area for which they are prepared to teach;
  • the number of program completers;
  • the annual goals to increase the number of teachers prepared for teacher shortage areas (math, science, special education,  and instruction of limited English proficient students); and
  • the assessment pass rates.

The University of Central Arkansas traditional undergraduate program had 482 teacher candidates who were admitted and enrolled in 2009-10.  Of this number, 78% were female.  Minority candidates totaled 8% of those candidates admitted and enrolled.  Candidates enrolled in the program completed an average of 168 hours of field experience prior to the final internship (directed teaching). 

During this reporting period, 182 candidates completed a final internship consisting of 600 contact hours.  Candidates who complete the undergraduate teacher preparation program also must successfully complete the Praxis II Subject Area Assessment and Pedagogy exams to become licensed teachers in Arkansas.  The UCA pass rate percentage for exams taken from September 1, 2009, to August 31, 2010, was 96%.  This pass rate is two percentage points higher than the state wide average pass rate for the same reporting period.

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) is an initial teacher preparation program at the graduate level.  In 2009-10, the MAT program had 249 teacher candidates enrolled, of which 85% were female and 10% were minority candidates.  Candidates enrolled in the MAT completed an average of 75 clock hours of field experience prior to final internship.  The final internship consists of 600 clock hours.

The MAT is designed for individuals who hold bachelor’s degrees, regardless of the undergraduate major, and are seeking career changes.  In 2009-10, 82 candidates completed the MAT program.  These candidates represented 46 different undergraduate degree majors.   Of the 82 candidates who completed the program, 32% were prepared to teach math and/or science in grades 4-12. 

The MAT has shown a 204% increase in the number of teacher candidates prepared since 2007-2008 (from 27 to 82 program completers).   Graduates of the MAT program also must complete the Praxis II Subject Area Assessment and Pedagogy exams to become licensed teachers in Arkansas.  The pass rate percentage for graduates of the MAT program was 100%, one percentage point above the state wide average pass rate for MAT programs during the same reporting period.

Dr. Greg Murry Shares His Three Rs with Teacher Education Candidates

Teacher candidates in the College of Education were honored with two opportunities during the 2011 spring semester to hear a motivating message from Dr. Greg Murry, superintendent of the Conway Public School District.   Dr. Murry delivered the opening address at the Collegiate Middle Level Association annual conference in the UCA Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center on March 2.  On April 7, about 60 teacher candidates listened as Dr. Murry shared his expertise gleaned from his life administrator.

Dr. Murry reflected on his memories of his school experiences and classmates emphasizing the powerful influences from teachers that shaped his learning and his life.  He captivated the candidates by retelling the changes that began when his ninth-grade English teacher shared with him that she liked what he wrote, noting that he had something to say.  Dr. Murry recognized that his teacher established an important relationship built on knowing her student and showing that she cared, two essential characteristics that today’s teachers need to replicate in their practices. 

Dr. Murry continued by saying that, through genuine relationships, teachers must guide and support students in making meaningful connections across the curriculum and into the community for students to find relevance while maintaining and ever-increasing the rigor of the academic expectations found in the Common Core standards. 

Dr. Murry shared many different examples describing his three Rs of education: relationships, relevance, and rigor.  Teachers make a difference in the classroom by developing strong relationships with their students.  Learning strengthens when teachers showcase the relevance of the content in application to their students’ lives.  Increasing rigor by aligning the curriculum, instruction, and assessments ensures learning for all students and prepares them for their futures.  To view the entirety of Dr. Murry’s address, please go to http://vimeo.com/22406945

Arkansans for Gifted and Talented Education Hold its 32nd Conference

Arkansans for Gifted and Talented Education (AGATE) recently held its 32nd annual conference at the Peabody Hotel in Little Rock. Governor Mike Beebe addressed the group.  During the annual awards ceremony, several awards were presented to area teachers, some of whom are graduates of the University of Central Arkansas, College of Education.

Donna Whiting, Conway School District, received the Award of Excellence.  Tanya Leggett, Greenbrier School District was honored with the Parent Community Award.  Julie Hayes, Conway School District, was presented an Educator Award.  Penny Laymon, Atkins School District, was awarded the Curriculum Award in the Elementary Division with an ADM less than 1000 students.  In the Act 56 Awards for Outstanding Programs, Atkins School District was recognized for merit in districts of less than 1000 students. 

Vickie Bailey, Conway School District, and Julianna Yeatman, East End School District, were AGATE MAP recipients.  Julianna Yeatman also received a $700 scholarship from AGATE.  Heather Story of South Side Elementary, Bee Branch, also received a scholarship.

Kathy Whittington and Betsy Hays of the Atkins School District won a 2010 Curriculum Award for “Landmark Links: From Research to Restoration.”  Kolby Snellenberger, Russellville School District, won a 2010 Curriculum Award for “Team Based Learning.”

Presenters at the conference included Charlotte Norberg, South Conway County School District; Starla Gresham, Anna Parks, Melissa Lovelady, Kelli Gordon, Julie Haynes, Conway School District; Jeana Williams and Sherry Williams, Greenbrier School District.  In the Act 56 Awards for Outstanding Programs, Atkins School District was recognized for merit in districts of less than 1000 students. 

Robin Clark of Greenbrier is the President of AGATE and presided over the conference. Patti Thompson of Conway School District was the AGATE Awards Chair.  Six of the twelve AGATE Affiliate groups for parents and supporters of gifted and talented education for 2010-11 school year are from the Arch Ford Education Cooperative Area.  Laura Binz, Russellville School District, is the Affiliate Director.  The AGATE Board of directors includes Jane Conley, South Conway County School District, who is the Secondary Teacher Representative, and Polly Bakker is the AGATE Emeritus Chair.

UCA’s College of Education periodically offers endorsement courses for Gifted and Talented if there are sufficient enrollees to offset instructor expenses.  If you are interested in seeking a GT endorsement, please contact Dr. Kathleen Atkins, Chair of the Early Childhood/Special Education Department at 501.450.4551 or ecse@uca.edu.

Masburn Center hosts Arkansas Adolescent Literacy Intervention Potential Professional Developers’ Institute

The UCA Mashburn Center for Learning hosted an Arkansas Adolescent Literacy Intervention (AALI) Potential Professional Developers’ Institute for math, literacy, and science state specialists. The institute was held the week of April 4-8 at the Conway Garden Hilton Inn.

Dr. Patty Kohler-Evans, Dr. Renee Calhoon, and Mrs. Debbie Cooke facilitated this week of learning that focused on equipping state specialists with the necessary knowledge, materials, and techniques to become certified Content Enhancement Professional Developers and provide AALI services for grades 4-12 educators across the state of Arkansas.

Faculty Presentations and Publications

Jud Copeland, associate professor in the Department of Leadership Studies, made several presentations including  Telling the Story of Resource Description and Access: The Role of the New Cataloging Code in Writing the Next Chapter in Arkansas at Arkansas Association of Colleges for Teacher Education( ArACTE) 2011 Spring Conference at Harding University; Blazing New Trails: Copyright as a Tool for Incorporating New Technologies into Education and Resource Description and Access (RDA): The Role of the New Cataloging Code in Blazing New Trails in Education at the 40th Annual Arkansas Association of Instructional Media (AAIM) Conference at Hot Springs Convention Center; and was a guest lecturer in School of Library and Information Management (SLIM) PhD Program at Emporia State University (ESU – Kansas). A doctoral student had read Dr. Copeland’s article, RDA: A Brave New World in Cataloging: A guide to understanding the fundamental changes in cataloging and requested the lecture. The lecture and discussion was delivered to doctoral students in the Seminar in the Organization of Information class through the Adobe Acrobat platform. This lecture was an initial step in a series of “partnership” lectures with ESU.

College of Health and Behavioral Sciences News

Posted on June 27, 2011

Reese Receives Lucy Blair Service Award by the American Physical Therapy Association

Nancy B. Reese, PhD, PT, professor and chairperson of the Department of Physical Therapy, was awarded the Lucy Blair Award by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).  The ceremony took place in Baltimore during the APTA Annual Conference.  The Lucy Blair Award is the highest service award given by the APTA – an organization of over 75,000 members.  The Lucy Blair Service Award is given to individuals who show outstanding contribution of service at the National, Regional, and State level of the American Physical Therapy Association.  Criteria for selection include contributions of exceptional value to the association through the association or its components, through an individual’s service on one or more elected or appointed groups, and/or in one or more other capacities at the Association level and component level and will be judged on the basis of the results of an individual’s service and not merely the duration or continuity of that service.”  Dr. Reese is the second individual from the State of Arkansas to receive the important award.   Bill Bandy, PhD, PT, ATC, Professor, UCA Department of Physical Therapy received the award in 2010.

UCA Student Wins National Student Nurses Association Award

Lindsey Siefferman, a senior nursing student at UCA, was recently awarded the Isabel Hampton Robb Award at the National Student Nurses Association Convention. This nursing award is one of the highest awards presented at the convention, which was held in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The award is presented to the current or immediate past student nurses’ association state president whose leadership characteristics most resemble those of Isabel Hampton Robb. An organizer and visionary leader, Mrs. Robb was well known for her pioneering work in establishing nursing organizations which became the American Nurses’ Association, the National League for Nursing (NLN), and the International Council of Nursing (ICN).

Siefferman, of Little Rock, is currently the president of the Arkansas Student Nurses Association and past president and current recruitment chair of the UCA Student Nurses Association. Under her direction, the Arkansas Student Nurses Association achieved an National Student Nurses Association State Excellence Award for 2011.

UCA Hosts the  Arkansas Affiliate of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Conference

The annual conference of the Arkansas Affiliate of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences was held March 3 -4 at the Brewer-Hegeman Center.  This year’s theme was “Connecting Professionals, Touching Lives.”

The pre-conference educational luncheon included Dr. Mary Ann Campbell’s presentation on “Credit Card Smarts.” The group met for a guided tour at The Village at Hendrix, a planned living community adjacent to Hendrix College, following the pre-conference lunch.

Dr. Alice Lichtenstein, professor of nutrition at Tufts University in Boston, presented “Dietary Guidelines for Americans: Why Early Nutrition Education is Key to Implementation” during the conference. She later joined Dr. Rosemary Rodibaugh of the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension and Suellen Ward, Arkansas Family and Consumer Sciences Program Manager in a panel discussion on “Nutrition Education: Current and Future.”

Several individuals were recognized for the work in the field. They were: Nina Roofe, Professional of the Year; Monica Lieblong, Young Achiever; Cecilia Gray,Teacher of the Year; Candance Carrie, Excellence in Extension; Mary Harlan, Leader Award, Mary Harlan.

Afternoon speakers included Dr. James Marshall, University of Arkansas Extension, who spoke on “Relationship Building,” and Dr. Lori Myers who presented “Pre-Professional Assessments and Certifications: A Pathway to Success.”  Other speakers for the conference included Dr. Lichtenstein; Dr. Mary Ann Campbell, FACS adjunct faculty; and Suellen Ward, UCA -FACS Alum and Program Manager for FACS at the Arkansas Department of Career Education.

The conference was coordinated by Dr. Renee Ryburn, Assistant Professor of FACS at UCA and President-elect of the Arkansas affiliate of American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS).

Faculty Presentations and Publications

Assistant Professors Dr. Charlotte Yates and Dr. Kevin Garrison presented research recently at the American Physical Therapy Associations Combined Sections Meeting in New Oleans, LA.  Drs.  Yates and Garrison were assisted by Doctor of Physical Therapy students Allison Burba-Horgan and Brittany Sexson, both of the DPT Class scheduled to graduate in August 2011, as well as two researchers from UAMS.  Their abstracts and poster presentations were titled:

“Outcome Measures for Exploring the Mechanisms of Hyper-Reflexia and Spasticity that Develops Post SCI in the Rat and the Effects of Passive Exercise Intervention on Each Outcome Measure.   Yates, CC, Garrison K, Burba-Horgan A, Franz J.”

“Regional CX-36 Changes Following Complete SCI and Interventions in the Rat.  Garrison K, Yates CC, Charlesworth A, Sexson B, Burba-Horgan A.”

Park Tipton, Doctor of Physical Therapy Student in the DPT Class scheduled to graduate in August 2011, presented research completed with former UCA faculty member Dr. Hao Liu, now of University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth and Dr. Clayton Holmes also of the University of North Texas Health Science Center.  Their abstract and poster presentation entitled “Effect of a Selected 6-Form Tai Chi on Improvement in Balance and Quality of Life Among Older Adults” was presented  at the American Physical Therapy Associations Combined Sections Meeting held February 9 -12 in New Oleans, LA.

Dr. David Taylor, PhD, PT, CSCS and Dr. James Fletcher, PhD, PT, ATC, Associate Professors of Physical Therapy, have published an article entitled “Reliability of the 8-Repetition Maximum Test in Men and Women” in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport.

Lyndsey Ingram, a senior in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education majoring in athletic training, received one of five undergraduate research awards from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association. She presented her research study, entitled Reliability and validity of measuring scapular upward rotation using an electrical inclinometer, in June at the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Annual Meeting & Clinical Symposia in New Orleans. Steve Tucker, PhD, ATC, an assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, was the faculty mentor and co-author on the study.

Hicks, N., & Bihm, E. M. (Jan 2011).  Self-Disclosure and Empathy for Persons with Mental Disorders: A Projective Exercise for Abnormal Psychology. National Institute of Teachers of Psychology: St. Petersburg, FL.

Nail, P. R., Bihm, E. M., & Simon, J. B. (2011, June). Is school-yard bullying driven by defensive personality? Paper presented at the 5th Annual International Conference on Psychology, Athens Institute for Education and Research, Athens, Greece.

Lammers, W. J., Savina, E., Skotko, D., & Churlyaeva, M. (2010). Faculty and student perceptions of outstanding university teachers in the USA and Russia. Educational Psychology, 30(7), 803-815.

Mitchell, C., & Simon, J. B. (2010, November). WSI: A Model for Evaluating Websites Containing Evidence-Based Academic Interventions. AR Council for Exceptional Children, Hot Springs, AR.

Bihm, E. M., Gillaspy, J. A., Jr., Abbott, H., J., & Lammers, W. J. (2010). More misbehavior of organisms: A Psi Chi lecture by Marian and Robert Bailey. Psychological Record, 60, 505-522.

Bihm, E. M., Gillaspy, J. A., Jr., Lammers, W. J., & Huffman, S. (2010). IQ Zoo and teaching operant concepts. Psychological Record. 60, 523-526.

College of Liberal Arts News

Posted on June 27, 2011

Dr. Raymond Frontain, professor of English, recently presented a paper at an international conference commemorating the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Bible. The conference was held at The Ohio State University, May 5 -7. Dr. Frontain’s paper was entitled “Passing the love of women’: Anglo-American Sexual Codes and the King James Translation.”

 

 

 

Dr. Clayton Crockett’s book Radical Political Theology (Columbia University Press, 2011) has been shortlisted for the American Academy of Religion’s Award for Excellence in the Constructive-Reflective Study of Religion. Crockett is an associate professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religion.

 

 

 


Dr. Brent Ruswick, Visiting Assistant Professor of History, is the author of an article, “Just Poor Enough: Gilded Age Charity Applicants Respond to Charity Investigators,” in the July 2011 edition of The Journal of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era.

David Welky’s op-ed piece entitled “When the Levee Doesn’t Break” was recently published in The New York Times. Welky, an associate professor of history, is also the author of the forthcoming book “The Thousand-Year Flood: The Ohio-Mississippi Disaster of 1937.”

 

 

 

 

The Natural State of America Selected for the Fifth Annual Little Rock Film Festival

The Natural State of America was selected for the Made in Arkansas program at the fifth Annual Little Rock Film Festival. The documentary was written and produced by Dr. Brian Campbell, UCA Assistant Professor of Anthropology, and co-directed by three UCA Digital Film Program alums, Terrell Case, Corey Gattin, and Timothy Wistrand. The film previously won the Society for Applied Anthropology’s 2011 Annual Film competition.

“The Natural State of America” highlights a four decade effort to prevent herbicide use in the Arkansas Ozark National Forest. The U.S. Forest Service has sprayed herbicides in the Ozark National Forest for years for their vegetative management. Recently, a rural electric cooperative that covers much of the Ozarks has started spraying to maintain their power line right-of-ways.

The film follows concerned residents, environmental activists, and organic farmers as they battle their rural electric cooperative in order to protect the region’s organic farms, wells, springs, and the Buffalo River, the first National River in the United States, from being contaminated by herbicides.

The film trailer and information about the film cast, crew, and subject can be viewed at http://naturalstateofamerica.com/ and you can receive updates on local screenings if you “like” the film at http://www.facebook.com/NaturalStateofAmerica.__

Sociology Students Present Research at Sociology and Anthropology Undergraduate Symposium

Eight University of Central Arkansas sociology students presented research at the 32nd Annual Arkansas Sociology and Anthropology Undergraduate Symposium. The event, hosted by the Department of Sociology/Anthropology of Hendrix College was held April 22 in the Mills Center on the Hendrix campus. Students presenting research:

Tanya Petrovic, “Advertising in the Media: Targeting Gender and Race”

Alyx VanNess, “June Cleaver as the Twenty-First Century Woman: The Perceived Female in Modern Home and Lifestyle Magazines”

Brittany Zielstra, “Rap Music and Videos: How Women are Portrayed in the Popularized Genre of Rap”

Kyle Moix, “Still Pullin’ on those Bootstraps: American Attitudes Toward Poverty”

Hillary Williams, “Woman in a Fighter’s Body: Gender Identity and Negotiation in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu”

Kristen Sobba, “Age in relation to Abortion views: A Comparative Analysis on GSS and UCA Data”

Cathrine Schwader, “Steaking a Claim: the Symbolic Meaning of Meat and the Importance of Vegetarianism”

Kathy Hill, “UCA Sociology Club: Horticulture Project at the Women’s Shelter of Central Arkansas”

College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics News

Posted on June 27, 2011

College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Hosts Student Research Symposium

The 17th Annual College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Student Research Symposium was held on April 22 in the McCastlain Ballroom. The symposium highlights undergraduate and graduate student research projects completed under the guidance of faculty in the College and their collaborators. Submissions included 33 posters from Biology, 17 from Chemistry, 8 from Computer Science, 11 from Mathematics, 10 from Physics and Astronomy, and 2 interdisciplinary posters. Presenting the 81 posters were 115 student authors with 37 faculty and 9 external mentors. To review the abstracts of this year’s symposium or those of previous years visit https://uca.edu/cnsm/student-research/cnsm-annual-symposium/.

Students who used their undergraduate research as the basis of outstanding departmental honors thesis were recognized during the opening of this year’s symposium. Jason Barns in Computer Science and Asami Nishikawa in Physics and Astronomy were presented “Outstanding Honors Thesis” awards. These awards are funded through an endowment started by to UCA alumni Drs. Micah Abrams (B.S. Chemistry 01) and William Slaton (B.S. Physics 96) who know the added value that student research brings to the undergraduate programs at UCA. For more information about this opportunity to support our outstanding student researchers, please visit http://www.aursfund.org/.

Besel Receives Jerald Manion Outstanding Chemistry Student Award

Brian Besel, a senior chemistry major from Rogers, was presented the first Jerald Manion Outstanding Chemistry Student Award. Under the direction of Dr. Patrick Desrochers of the UCA Chemistry Department, Brian’s research efforts contributed to two peer-reviewed publications in the internationally-read journal, Inorganic Chemistry (in 2009 and 2011). Also, he was twice recognized with cash awards for outstanding oral presentations of his research.Throughout his time at UCA Brian has worked as a teaching assistant for general chemistry, organic chemistry, and quantitative analysis. He has also served as the primary supervisor of tutors for the department’s tutoring service.

The award was made possible when Dr. Slaton Fry of Batesville, a 1980 UCA graduate of the Chemistry Department and Beebe, Arkansas native, and his wife, Diann, established the endowment in honor of his former professor.

Department of Computer Science Hosts “CS Roadshow”

The Department of Computer Science organized “CS Roadshow” at Benton Junior High School and Hope High School on April 26. Computer Science undergraduates Jason Barnes, Luke Irvin, and Rema Taneja participated in the road shows conducted under the leadership of Dr. Vamsi Paruchuri, an assistant professor in computer science.

Computer-related technology is increasingly driving the U.S. economy. According to The National Association of Colleges and Employers, computer science ranks as one of the top five highest-paying career paths. This field is projected to further expand within the next decade. However, the number of computer science majors in the United States is declining. One of the primary reasons is the absence of exposure to computer science and computational thinking in the high school experience. A majority of high school students have no concept of what a major in Computer Science entails and lack awareness of multiple career opportunities for CS majors. To help resolve this problem, the Department of Computer Science is organizing these road trips aimed at piquing students’ interests in CS.

Chemistry Students and Faculty Attend National Meeting of the American Chemical Society

Nineteen undergraduate students and six faculty members from UCA’s Chemistry Department attended the 241st National Meeting of the American Chemical Society in Anaheim, Calif. The meeting included symposia on topics as diverse as energy & the environment, nanotechnology, biological & medicinal chemistry, and chemical education. The students took advantage of the programming to attend symposia about how to operate a successful student affiliate chapter and listen to lectures by preeminent scientists including Nobel Laureate Akira Suzuki.

The students presented research that they had conducted as part of independent study projects in collaboration with UCA chemistry faculty members Drs. Patrick Desrochers, Lori Isom, Melissa Kelley, Karen Steelman, William Taylor, Richard Tarkka, Donald Perry, and Lance Bridges. Brian Besel, who works with Drs. Desrochers and Tarkka, was invited to present his research at Sci-Mix.  The best posters from the meeting are highlighted during Sci-Mix.  Also presented at Sci-Mix was the UCA ACS Chapter poster highlighting the promotion of chemistry in Arkansas.

Arkansas Science Fair Association Recieves $75,000 to Support Science Fairs

The Arkansas Science Fair Association (ASFA) secured annual funding from the Arkansas Legislature in support of the Arkansas science fairs. This funding was approved during the 2011 legislative session. This funding, along with the generous support of SWN, will help to “raise the bar”for the State Fair competition The ASFA executive board will also be able to help support the regional science fairs. Act 1075  appropriates $75,000 to AFSA to support the state and regional science fairs.State Representative Linda Tyler was instrumental in securing the funds.

Faculty Presentations and Publications

Dr. Yu Sun, an associate professor in the Department of Computer Science, published a journal paper in IEEE Transactions on Circuits and System II, a leading journal in the field of hardware and architecture. Dr. Yimin Zhou, co-author and a visiting scholar in the Computer Science Department at UCA from December 2007 to May 2009, conducted advanced research in the areas of multimedia computing with Dr. Sun.

Jeremy A. Lusk and Dr. Debra L. Burris, an assistant professor in the Department of Physic and Astronomy, published the paper “Error Analysis of Light n-Capture Element Abundances in the Metal-Poor Halo Star HD74462”, in the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, Vol. 123, pp. 253-258, No. 901, March 2011.

Priyatham Anisetty presented a paper he co-authored with Dr. Paul Young, an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science,  titled “Collaboration Problems in Group Projects” at the ninth annual Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges Mid-South Conference held in Conway April 1-2. The paper stems from experience gained while directing the members of Dr. Young’s Software Engineering Class in a class-wide, semester-long software development project.

SPARC Approves Draft Strategic Plan, Board of Trustees to Review May 6

Posted on April 29, 2011

The university’s Strategic Planning and Resources Council has approved a draft strategic plan to guide the university over the next three to five years.

The proposed plan will be presented to the UCA Board of Trustees during its May 6 meeting.  The draft strategic plan is available at http://www.uca.edu/strategicplan/.

Various groups have been meeting since February 2010 to develop a strategic plan that will examine the university’s strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities. A series of forums were held to receive input from each of the six colleges, staff and students.

In November, more than 150 people voted on nearly 300 initiatives generated from the forums.  SPARC, its task forces, the Council of Deans, the Executive Committees of the Faculty Senate, and the Student Government Association created a draft list of ten initiatives they felt were high priority and financially feasible from the feedback received from the November meeting.

SPARC and its tasks forces met on Feb. 24 to integrate the draft lists and  approve a single list of strategic initiatives.

If the Board of Trustees approves the proposed plan, the university’s senior staff and SPARC will work together over the summer to turn the strategic plan into an operational plan by determining which initiatives to tackle first, how to accomplish them, and how to fund the initiatives, said Mike Schaefer, SPARC chairman.

 “We should see a lot of results over the next academic year,” Schaefer said.

The goal of strategic planning is to:

•Identify the various forces acting on the university as a whole–including finances, public perceptions and expectations, demographics, and technology.

•Assess the resources of various types the university has at its disposal for carrying out its planning.

•Examine and articulate the mission and vision of the university–our sense of our purpose and our aspirations for the future–which will be informed by the core shared values of the university community.

•Identify particular attributes of the university that set us apart from our sister institutions and that thus constitute our distinctive strengths.

“I personally learned a tremendous amount about the needs and views of everyone on campus, and I’ve truly enjoyed every minute of that,” Schaefer said. “I’ve discovered that there’s a lot more we all agree on than we disagree on, and I’ve seen clearly that we all are genuinely committed to doing our jobs the best way we can and giving the students the best education possible.  That may sound like a platitude, but at UCA it isn’t; it’s a fact.”

Judging by the number of people who have participated in the process and the feedback SPARC has received, the proposed plan appears to have campus-wide support, said Schaefer.

“However, the more important thing to me than the current level of support is that over the next few years those of us involved in accomplishing the plan’s initiatives continue to earn that support on a daily basis by making certain that things actually get done,” he said. “The last plan UCA composed was an excellent piece of work, but it simply got filed away and was never implemented; that must not happen this time.”

Schaefer feels the strategic plan is a good road map for the future of the university.

“It comprises the wisdom of several hundred highly dedicated people who know what our challenges are and, collectively, have excellent ideas for how to meet them,”  he said.

Faculty Recognized for Teaching, Research, and Service

Posted on April 29, 2011

Three UCA faculty members were recognized for their work in the field of teaching, research and service during the annual Employee Service Awards held April 19.

Dr. Balraj Menon, an assistant professor of physics, was presented the 2011 Teaching Excellence Award. Dr. Mary Mosley, an associate professor and program coordinator for the Master of Science in Reading, was the winner of the Public Service Award. Dr. Gordon Shepherd, professor of sociology, was recognized for his work in the area of Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity.

Menon’s passion for physics and his goal to give students an opportunity to appreciate the beauty and excitement of scientific discovery earned him the Teaching Excellence Award.

“Through a combination of thoughtful strategies and innovative technologies, Dr. Menon enables students in his physics courses to make deep connections,” stated the Faculty Award Committee. “He uses core questions to anchor his teaching.  He pays attention to common misconceptions and guides students through problem solving to resolve them.  Dr. Menon embeds technology in his courses as a critical learning tool.”

Menon has taught at UCA for the past seven years. He was elated to receive recognition from his colleagues.

“But more importantly, I view this award as a token of appreciation from our students. It is a statement about trust and respect and for a teacher there is nothing more gratifying than gaining this trust and respect,” he said. “I have been very lucky to be a part of a vibrant and dynamic department. I work with a wonderful group of people who have helped me grow and mature as a teacher. This award is as much an affirmation of their sincerity, dedication and effort.”

Other finalists for the Teaching Excellence Award were Dr. Danny Arrigo, associate professor of mathematics and Dr. Melissa Kelly, an associate professor of chemistry.

Dr. Mary Mosley, winner of the Public Service Award, has dedicated her career and her volunteer service to literacy. She serves on the board of directors for the Faulkner County Literacy Council and the Literacy Action of Central Arkansas. Dr. Mosley worked with the Faulkner County Library to develop literacy classes for English Language Learners in central Arkansas.  She has also served as a president of the Symphony Guild.

Mosely, who has taught for 20 years, said she was honored to be selected for the award.

“Through my many opportunities for service, I have learned and benefitted far more than those individuals and groups I have been fortunate to serve,” she said. “I am pleased that I will continue to be involved with service to the community and literacy learners for many years.  I have appreciated the blessings of my opportunities for service at UCA and throughout the community. Serving is, indeed, the best learning.”

Other nominees for the Public Service Award were Dr. Debra Burris, an assistant professor of physics and astronomy and Dr. Patsy Ramsey, a history lecturer.

Dr. Gordon Shepherd ‘s work focuses upon the ways in which organized religion meets the ever-changing social needs of its members, in particular upon the group mechanisms that produce and sustain resilient religious communities. Shepherd, winner of the Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Award, has written three books and 26 articles on the topic.

Shepherd, who has taught at UCA since 1980, said he appreciated the support and recognition given to him by his colleagues. 

“Good colleagues in sociology and the College of Liberal Arts at UCA make for a positive work environment in which I feel encouraged to do good work,” he said.

Shepherd believes instructors should attempt to model for students a certain quality of mind that displays systematic, critical, and integrative thinking about the complex elements of their subject matter.

“I try to instill in my students respect for sound thinking based on evidence in place of untested assumptions based on stereotypes,” he added.

Dr. Rahul Mehta, a professor of physics, and Dr. David Welky, an associate professor of history, were finalists for the Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity Award.

Rowell Named Staff Senate Employee of the Year

Posted on April 29, 2011

Monty Rowell, general manager of Broadcast Services, was named Staff Senate Employee of the Year during the University of Central Arkansas’s annual Employee Service Awards.

Rowell was presented a plaque and a monetary award during the awards ceremony on April 19 at the McCastlain Ballroom.

He was among the 13 employees nominated this year for the award. Other finalists were Gay Bowling, administrative specialist in the Management Information Systems Department; Judy Corcoran, administrative specialist for the Dean’s Office in the College of Liberal Arts; Charlotte Fant, physical therapy advisor; Gale Garrison, financial aid specialist; and Jesse Grey, custodian for Housing & Residence Life. 

Finalists were evaluated on dependability and work ethic, working with colleagues and students, initiative and flexibility, quality of work, university or community service and improvement of job skills.

Those who nominated Rowell stated that “his love for UCA and dedication to his job runs deep. The amount of time Monty spent away from his family in support of UCA is far beyond compare. He makes all who work with him better. His attitude is contagious and he empowers the students and other employees to model his disposition.”

Rowell, who has worked at UCA since 1998, said the recognition was a huge honor.

“I was totally surprised and shocked at my selection. To say the least, I am very humbled,” he said. “…I really get excited when I am able to assist a student in landing an internship or job. That really makes my day. At the end of the day, it is about the students, period.”

Three employees — Gale Garrison, Michelle Reinold, and Phillip Arnold — were recognized for being named Staff Senate Employee of the Quarter. The Staff Senate began Employee of the Quarter this academic year to recognize employee’s outstanding job performance, University involvement or service during the quarter.

2011 General Assembly News

Posted on April 29, 2011

Several pieces of legislation passed during the 88th Arkansas General Assembly will have an impact on UCA and higher education. 

Act 1203 will change the higher education funding formula and will ultimately mean that 25 percent of the university’s funding will be based on how successful the university meets the performance measures that will be decided later this year. 

The funding level for UCA and all of higher education will remain the same for FY 2012 as it is for the current year.

Act 747  makes changes to the common course numbering system and will address general education hours that an institution may prescribe.  Other acts will mandate institutions to list expenditures and other reports on their websites. 

Legislators also addressed  the future shortfall in lottery proceeds. That will mean freshman this fall will only receive $4,500 per year at UCA. This will not affect the current students who are receiving $5,000 per year.