Archives for April 2025

Submitted by: Michael Blanchard, mblanchard@uca.edu on 03/30/2025

Congratulations to two students from the UCA School of Language & Literature who recently claimed high honors in the statewide 2025 Pat Laster Collegiate Poetry Contest, sponsored by the Poets’ Roundtable of Arkansas. Kas Armstong of Cabot, a senior double-majoring in English and Creative Writing, was awarded second place, and Aithne Emmons of Hot Springs, a junior majoring in Creative Writing with a minor in English, claimed third place. Kas has served as editor-in-chief of the Vortex this year, and Aithne is associate editor.

The Poets’ Roundtable of Arkansas is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study of poetry and the encouragement of Arkansas poets. It was founded in 1931 and now sponsors nine local branches around the state and boasts a membership of over 100 poets. Current members include current state poet laureate Suzanne Underwood Rhodes of Fayetteville and the immediate past poet laureate, Jo McDougall of Litte Rock. The organization serves as the unofficial state poetry society of the Natural State and is an affiliate member of the National Federation of State Poetry Societies.

 

Submitted by: Christina Lammers, clammers@uca.edu on 03/29/2025

Appreciate a faculty or staff member for Employee Appreciation Week on the UCA Employee Podcast!

• Do you have a colleague, faculty or staff mentor who has made a big impact on your life?
• Do you want to make someone you work with feel truly special and valued?
• Are you ready to show them just how important they are in your life?
• Imagine the joy you’ll feel when you uplift someone else and brighten their day!

Here’s a fantastic idea: “Tell Them!”

Seriously, when was the last time you shared your appreciation with someone you work with? It’s an incredible gift to hear those heartfelt words, and it can instantly make someone feel like they truly matter. Plus, expressing your gratitude will boost your spirits even more! When you take a moment to acknowledge someone’s impact on your life, you’re not just enhancing their day; you’re enriching your own! Expect a more positive outlook, stronger friendships, and even better physical health! Mark your calendars and get ready to spread some love!
Join us at the Ronnie Williams Student Center Radio station on April 14th from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. for a powerful podcast sharing appreciation for faculty & staff at UCA. Come ready to deliver a one-minute statement or share even more! Let’s make this an
unforgettable moment of joy and gratitude! Sign up now! Or drop in and share!

Questions? Contact LeighAnn DenHartog 450-5160, ldenhartog@uca.edu

Sign-up for a time slot: https://doodle.com/sign-up-sheet/participate/2ee1f3df-eb2e-4b32-aa45-f70164eafa58/select

 

Submitted by: Christina Lammers, clammers@uca.edu on 03/29/2025

Join us for the 72nd annual program!!

April 15, 2025
Student Center Ballroom
Doors open at 1:00 pm
Ceremony begins at 1:40 pm

 

Submitted by: Christina Lammers, clammers@uca.edu on 03/29/2025

ASIAN AMERICAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP
AAPI faculty & staff led by JingJing Li jli@uca.edu
– April 10, 1:40-2:30, Fireplace Room

BROTHER’S KEEPER
African American male faculty & staff led by Myron Kuykendall & Travis Johnson mkuykendall2@uca.edu tjohnson56@uca.edu
– April 16, 2:00-3:00, Main 027

SISTER’S KEEPER
African American female faculty & staff led by a committee apeten@uca.edu denichak@uca.edu egayfield@uca.edu mgoins@uca.edu cdr02003@uca.edu
– April 24, 3:00-4:00, BHCC 103
Committee members: Audreka Peten, Crystal Harris, Denicha Kemp, Lyn Gayfield, Millie Goins

INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP
International faculty & staff led by Dr. Brigid Otoo bappiahotoo@uca.edu
– April 1, 1:40-2:30, BHCC 103

LGBTQ+ EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP
LGBTQ+ faculty & staff led by Dr. Taine Duncan & Dr. Paige Rose
tduncan@uca.edu prose@uca.edu
– April 8, 1:40-2:30, Fireplace Room

ADMIN SUPPORT COACHING CIRCLE
Do you serve in an administrative assistant position or as an office manager? Are you aware of the multiple resources available to you? Participate in this group to receive helpful information, network, and share valuable tips to make your job easier!
April 16, 2025 (Wednesday) 3:00-4:00 pm McCastlain Hall
Professional Administrative Support Staff Recognition Reception
Please register at the link provided: https://uca.edu/hr/protectedcontent/professional-administrative-support-staff-recognition-april-16-2025/
Facilitator: Debbie Brigham, Human Resources and Risk Management Fiscal Support Specialist dbrigham@uca.edu

LEADERSHIP COACHING CIRCLE
Do you currently lead others? Do you aspire to be a leader or a better one? What are the essentials of leadership? Participation in this group includes interesting articles, rich discussion, and opportunities to network. No registration required.
Tuesdays, 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Facilitator: Dr. Nechele McClinton-Gates, Associate Director of Residence Life nrm05002@uca.edu
ZOOM LINK: https://uca-edu.zoom.us/j/86019206652?pwd=aWtyQ3pYOHdsT1Zrb2RjV3hFNGdIZz09
April 8. 2025

 

Submitted by: Lori Hunt, vhunt1@uca.edu on 03/28/2025

Bear Biographies: A Library of Lived Experiences is an annual outreach event hosted by the library with support from multiple campus partners. It is an opportunity for our campus to come together and learn from folks who come from different lived experiences and backgrounds by engaging in meaningful conversations.

Participants can either be Books or Readers. Books sign up in advance to share about aspects of their identities where they have experienced prejudice and bias. Readers attend the event and engage in dialogue with the Books by asking thoughtful questions about their experiences.

The goal of Bear Biographies is to break down barriers caused by harmful stereotypes and build a stronger, more connected campus community. Please join us on Tuesday, April 8th, from 12-4 in Torreyson Library. It is a drop-in event, so come by whenever you have time!

https://uca.libguides.com/BearBiographies/

Submitted by: Brittney Smith, bsmith22@uca.edu on 03/28/2025

We are excited to invite you to participate in the GEAR UP Arkansas UCA Summer Camp, scheduled for May 12th-16th, 2025. This enriching camp will provide approximately 3,300 middle school scholars with valuable experiences and knowledge to support their academic and personal growth. We are looking for dedicated professionals, volunteers, and campus partners to join us in making this event a success!

How You Can Get Involved:

• Professional Participants: As a professional, you have the opportunity to conduct a session focusing on topics such as:
• College and Career Preparation/Awareness
• Academic Development/ High School Preparation
• Leadership Development
• Personal Development
• Financial Literacy

Volunteers: Volunteers will assist with managing groups of students and handling logistics to ensure the smooth running of camp activities. Your support will play a key role in creating a positive experience for all attendees. We encourage college and high school scholars to take advantage of this opportunity to gain hours.

Campus Partners: We invite campus partners to present an interactive session tailored to their area of expertise. This is a great opportunity to engage middle school scholars in activities that are both informative and fun.

Event Details:
Dates: May 12th-16th
Time: 10:30am-1:30pm
Location: University of Central Arkansas (UCA)
If you are interested in volunteering or presenting a session, please complete the form below to confirm your participation and select your day(s) of participation.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to support our next generation of leaders. We look forward to working with you!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdGbiR2xVPylzaXP77vdidWkJfwIHF2P3fjiGpsHfIiiH6IHA/viewform

Submitted by: Michael Blanchard, mblanchard@uca.edu on 03/28/2025

The 2024-2025 UCA Visiting Poet Series will conclude April 22 with a public reading and book signing by current Louisiana Poet Laureate Alison Pelegrin at 7 p.m. in the McCastlain Art Lecture Hall on the UCA campus. The series is jointly sponsored by the School of Language & Literature and SLANT, the School’s international journal of contemporary poetry.

Alison Pelegrin was appointed Poet Laureate of Louisiana in 2023. She is also Writer-in-Residence at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, where she has taught for more than twenty years. A native of Gretna, located just across the Mississippi River from New Orleans, Pelegrin has lived in Louisiana her entire life, except for a period of three years in Fayetteville while working towards an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Arkansas.

She is the author of six books of poetry, including her most recent collection, Our Lady of Bewilderment (Louisiana State University Press, 2022), and her poems have also appeared in notable literary journals such as Poetry, Ploughshares, The Southern Review, The Missouri Review, and The Bennington Review. In addition, she has received multiple notable fellowships and grants, including a fellowship from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, a Creative Writing Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, an ATLAS Grant from the Louisiana Board of Regents, and in 2024 an Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowship.

The reading is open to the public and is free of charge. For more information, contact SLANT editor Michael Blanchard at mblanchard@uca.edu.

 

Submitted by: Carl Frederickson, carlf@uca.edu on 03/27/2025

Two UCA Physics majors presented their research during the APS Global Physics Summit (the joint March and April meeting) March 17 in Anaheim, California. James Cole Morrison presented his research, “Impedance Tube Measurements of the Acoustic Properties of 3-D Printed Porous Materials.” Braden S Lee’s presentation was titled, “Airflow Resistance of 3-D Printed Porous Plugs.” Both students work with Dr. Carl Frederickson and are supported by the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium. While at the meeting, the students were able to network with graduate and industry recruiters. As this was a combined March and April meeting, they had the opportunity to interact with over 14,000 other attendees.