UCA Magazine

Campus Construction Update

We’re growing! UCA is constructing new or expanding existing buildings to enhance educational, arts, social and community experiences on campus.

The Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre (AST) hosted its annual Bard Ball on Feb. 1 at Reynolds Performance Hall. All proceeds from Bard Ball will support AST’s mission to entertain, engage, and enrich the community by creating professional and accessible productions of Shakespeare and other works.

President’s Society

Approximately 150 individuals attended the annual President’s Society Reception held Feb.16 at the Capital Hotel in Little Rock. Members of the 2019 President’s Society were invited to the special event to be thanked for their gifts and donations.

Retirement Reception

The University of Central Arkansas hosted a retirement reception honoring fall 2019 retirees. The event was held in the McCastlain Hall Ballroom on Dec. 9, 2019. The reception recognized 47 retirees with an average of 18 years of service among them.

Holiday Reception

President Houston and First Lady Jenny Davis hosted a special Holiday Reception for members of the Conway community and donors Dec. 6, 2019, at the President’s Home.

Up Close with Pamela Ashcraft ’01

After finishing her undergraduate degree in Tennessee, the Pine Bluff native received her master’s in nursing from UCA. She earned her doctorate in nursing from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and began her career at UCA as a clinical instructor. She is now associate professor and research and scholarship coordinator in the School of Nursing.

Up Close with Jarrett Counts

Since beginning his studies at the University of Central Arkansas, he’s met many members of the campus community through organizations such as Intensive, Dedication, Ethics, Accomplishment and Leadership (I.D.E.A.L.), Project X and the Black Male Achievement Challenge.

Bears Abound

Prior to being known as the Bears, University of Central Arkansas students and teams were known as many things–tutors, teachers and even pedagogues. In 1920, inspired by a student’s class ring design that featured a bear, what was then Arkansas State Normal School adopted the bear as the school mascot.

Moments in History

The University of Central Arkansas has undergone many changes since its 1907 establishment, from beginning as a training college for teachers to now being a premier destination institution with more than 160 undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates.

Distinguished Alumni Award 2020

The Distinguished Alumni Award is the most prestigious award presented to an alumnus or alumna of the University of Central Arkansas. The award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the university, community, state or society; outstanding achievements in a particular field of endeavor; or have a character that enhances the reputation of the university.