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Archives for December 2025

Call for Proposals Open for Engaged Learning Conference

Submitted by: Lesley Graybeal, lgraybeal@uca.edu on 12/04/2025

UCA will partner with the Clinton School of Public Service, Northwest Arkansas Community College, and University of Arkansas at Fayetteville to host the second Engaged Learning Conference on Friday, April 17th, 2026 at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Registration is free and will open in January.

The Arkansas Engaged Learning Network invites K-16 educators, student leaders, researchers, community leaders, and volunteer coordinators to submit proposals for the 2026 Engaged Arkansas Conference. Our theme is Future-Ready Engagement: Civic and Experiential Learning, Technology, and Resilience, and the call for proposals (proposals due January 30th) is available at uca.edu/go/engagedlearning2026. Please help spread the word to the community-engaged K-16 educators and student leaders in your networks, as well as community contacts who partner with K-16 institutions on community-engaged projects!

uca.edu/go/engagedlearning2026

Food Pantry Finals & Holidays Hours

Submitted by: Tracy McGarrity, tracym@uca.edu on 12/03/2025

The Bear Essentials Food Pantry will be open Finals Week from 11 am – 4 pm. During UCA’s hybrid operations and Winter Break, the Pantry will be closed 12/15/25 – 1/9/26. Before the Spring Semester begins, the Food Pantry will undergo cleaning and restocking the week of 1/5 – 1/9/26.

We will reopen with Spring Semester hours of Monday thru Thursday 11 am – 5 pm on January 12, 2026.

https://uca.edu/foodpantry/home/news/

Finals Week Activities Calendar

Submitted by: Lori Hunt, vhunt1@uca.edu on 12/03/2025

Finals Week is approaching and we have the stress relievers students need to ensure balance and calm. From bubbles and bubble wrap to therapy dogs and more, please check out our calendar and come take advantage of our fun Finals Week programming.

 

Griffin Planetarium Shows

Submitted by: Scott Austin, saustin@uca.edu on 12/02/2025

Griffin Planetarium shows this Friday December 5 and Saturday December 6 at 7:00pm: The one-hour shows this week includes a tour of the current sky, a flight around the universe, and the full-dome movie “Out There: The Quest for Extrasolar Worlds”. The planetarium is located in the Conway Corporation Center for the Sciences. Seating starts 10 minutes before show time. Admission is free. Seating limited to the first 94. No admission after the shows begin. No food or drink allowed.

https://uca.edu/physics/planetarium/

Paws Up, Caps Off Graduation Party!

Submitted by: Stephanie McBrayer, smcbrayer@uca.edu on 12/02/2025

The UCA Graduation Celebration event of the semester is Tuesday, December 9th, at 6:00pm at Buffalo Alumni Hall. All UCA graduating Seniors, faculty, and staff are invited to attend the “Paws Up, Caps Off” party! This special event to honor our graduates will have food, music, fun prizes, a photo booth, and a special toast to the graduates. Come cheer with us and join in the festivities to celebrate the UCA graduating students’ achievements.

uca.edu/student/puco

2026 Alternative Spring Break With Bear Boots on the Ground

Submitted by: Lyn Gayfield, egayfield@uca.edu on 12/02/2025

2026 Alternative Spring Break
March 22 – March 27, 2026

Be a part of the Great Mississippi River Cleanup!

Volunteers will traverse the river on foot and in boats while working closely with the Living Lands and Waters crew. The LL&W fleet includes THREE barges, TWO towboats, SIX workboats, TWO skid steers, FIVE work trucks, an excavator, and a crane.

Sign-up and $25 fee deadline is January 23, 2026
Register on GivePulse
Contact OSAC at 5014503135 and osac@uca.edu if you have any questions

https://uca.givepulse.com/event/677055

2025 Winter Commencement

Submitted by: April Gunn, agunn@uca.edu on 12/02/2025

Commencement is a time-honored tradition that celebrates the academic accomplishments of students at the University of Central Arkansas. During commencement ceremonies, we recognize the learning, commitment and effort by our students in earning their degree. This is a special event for the students and for all of those involved in supporting and encouraging them through this journey.

All ceremonies will be held at the Farris Center and will be live-streamed. You may find the link at www.uca.edu/commencement/

Thursday, December 11, 2025
5 p.m. – Graduate Ceremony
All colleges

Friday, December 12, 2025
Undergraduate Ceremonies

9 a.m.
College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
College of Business

12 p.m.
College of Education
College of Health and Behavioral Sciences
College of Science and Engineering

https://uca.edu/commencement/