Mark Heffington

Submitted by: Scott Austin, saustin@uca.edu on 08/06/2025

Griffin Planetarium shows this Friday August 8 at 3:00pm and 7:00pm: The one-hour shows this week include a tour of the current sky, a flight around the universe, and the full-dome movie “The Secret Lives of Stars”. 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/

Submitted by: Leslie Coger, lcoger1@uca.edu on 08/06/2025

We are excited to announce that the Arkansas Coding Academy will be hosting an open house event Friday, September 5, 2025 from 3:00pm-5:00pm!

Join us to tour our facilities, meet our team, and learn about our innovative programs. Whether you’re interested in our offerings or just curious about our work, we welcome you to join us for an evening of discovery and networking.

We look forward to seeing you there!

For more details or to RSVP, please use the link below.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/arkansas-coding-academy-fall-open-house-tickets-1438400176649

Submitted by: Lyn Gayfield, egayfield@uca.edu on 08/05/2025

Disaster Action Team Volunteer Training

Want to help your local community by responding to disasters like home fires, floods or tornadoes?

Saturday, August 9, 2025
Little Rock

• 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• 2610 S. Shackleford Suite B
  Little Rock, AR 72205

Jonesboro

• 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• 2416 S. Madison Street
  Jonesboro, AR 72401

To register or for more info, email:
jim.powell6@redcross.org
temirra.jones@redcross.org

 

Submitted by: Stephanie McBrayer, smcbrayer@uca.edu on 08/05/2025

UCA Fall 2025 Move-In Days

We’re excited to welcome our new and returning Bears to campus! Below are the official Move-In dates for Fall 2025:

August 10 – Early Arrival #1 (Approved groups only)

August 12 – Early Arrival #2 (Approved groups only)

August 15 – Honors Freshmen

August 16 – All Returning Residents and Upperclass Students

August 17 – Living Learning Community Residents

🗺️ Detailed information—including move-in shifts, maps, and instructions—can be found at uca.edu/moveinday. Please plan ahead, as Conway traffic will be enhanced on these dates.

🚗 Parking for Employees on August 17:
Those working on Move-In Day may park behind Wingo Hall or in nearby lots such as the one across from the College of Business or next to Buffalo Hall.

We can’t wait to welcome the newest class of UCA students and see campus come alive again. Go Bears! 🐻💜

uca.edu/moveinday

Submitted by: Leslie Coger, lcoger1@uca.edu on 08/05/2025

Discover Linux with a Free Info Session
Arkansas Coding Academy is hosting a free, live webinar to give you a full preview of the Linux Fundamentals & Beyond course. If you’re curious about Linux or wondering whether this course is right for you, this session is for you.

Why Attend
This webinar will help you understand how the course builds foundational Linux knowledge and practical skills that are relevant to today’s tech careers. You’ll have the chance to decide if the course structure and content align with your goals and hear directly from the instructor during a live Q&A.

What You’ll Learn
During the session, we’ll discuss what Linux is and why it plays such an important role in the tech world. You’ll also learn where Linux is commonly used in different industries and job roles, get an overview of the course format and resources, and find out what the student experience is like and what you can expect to gain from the class.

Reserve Your Spot
This free webinar is your opportunity to explore the Linux Fundamentals & Beyond course and connect with the Arkansas Coding Academy team. Register today to receive your Zoom access details and take the first step toward your Linux journey.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/basics-to-beyond-discover-what-youll-learn-in-our-linux-course-tickets-1527376136139?

Submitted by: Leslie Coger, lcoger1@uca.edu on 08/05/2025

Ever wondered what it’s like to work at the cutting edge of data and decision-making in the tech industry?

Join the Arkansas Coding Academy for a special live webinar featuring an in-depth interview with Derrick Carruth, a seasoned Digital Solutions Architect with 25 years of experience leading innovation in real-time decision support systems.

Date: Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM (Noon) CT
Location: Online via Zoom

In this exclusive session, Derrick will share:

A typical work day in the life of a SQL Developer
Why SQL became a core part of their work—and why they believe it’s essential for anyone serious about working in tech.
The real world Impact of how SQL powers business decisions

You’ll also get a sneak peek into Derrick’s upcoming SQL Bootcamp course, recently recognized by Forbes Advisor as “Best for Synchronous Learning” among online SQL programs in 2024. Whether you’re a beginner exploring the tech world, a career-changer curious about data roles, or an aspiring developer ready to level up—this webinar is for you.

Live Q&A included – come with questions!

Register today through the link below

https://uca-edu.zoom.us/j/81584300596?pwd=Z2HruGWQhG04xyJIHNFt8vTWJDclmP.1

Submitted by: Tracy McGarrity, tracym@uca.edu on 08/04/2025

The Bear Essentials Food Pantry will be closed from Monday, August 11 through Friday, August 15, to prepare for the Fall semester.

The Pantry will reopen on Monday, August 18, continuing its Summer Hours of 11 am – 4 pm Monday through Thursday. Fall Semester open hours will begin after the Labor Day Holiday on Tuesday, September 2.

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

Submitted by: Kristen Oitker, koitker1@uca.edu on 08/04/2025

Celebrate the start of the 2025 fall athletic season at UCA Purple Passion on Tuesday, Aug. 5, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Alumni Pavilion and Tailgate Zone. This free, community-wide event is your chance to enjoy food samples from local restaurants, vote for your favorite tailgate fare, and show your UCA spirit at the community pep rally. End the evening with games and activities on the UCA Practice Field alongside UCA athletes.

 

Submitted by: Haydyn Hudnall, hhudnall@uca.edu on 07/31/2025

The University of Central Arkansas is proud to announce that Tykira Danner has been selected as the university’s first-ever recipient of the Freeman Awards for Study in Asia (Freeman-ASIA). The award will support her academic year abroad at Myongji University in Seoul, South Korea, beginning this fall.

Danner, a Linguistics major on the TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) track, has long aspired to teach English internationally. She is also part of the Schedler Honors College with the Honors Interdisciplinary Studies minor. Her passion for Korean culture began in middle school through music, entertainment, and cuisine, eventually growing into a deep academic and professional interest.

The Freeman-ASIA scholarship provides funding for American undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia. The program also encourages recipients to deepen cross-cultural understanding between the United States and Asia through campus and community outreach upon their return.

“I am greatly thankful to be receiving the Freeman-ASIA Scholarship for my academic year abroad in South Korea,” Danner shared. “I can now prioritize my studies and social life. This relief will allow me to enjoy a holistic experience while attending Myongji University. The project requirements further motivate me to create interpersonal, social, and professional relationships. My hope is to further intercultural understanding between the students of Myongji University and the University of Central Arkansas.”

Prior to attending UCA, Danner graduated from an International Baccalaureate (IB) high school, where she engaged in global learning and worked with visiting international students. Those early experiences, she says, sparked her interest in cultural exchange and helped shape her worldview.

The Myongji University Exchange Program will provide Danner with the opportunity to study alongside students from around the world, explore Korean history and language firsthand, and immerse herself in the daily life of the country.

This award not only supports Danner’s academic and professional goals, but also marks a milestone for UCA’s Office of Education Abroad, as she becomes the university’s first recipient of the Freeman-ASIA scholarship.

https://uca.edu/globalstudy/myongji-university/