UCA Magazine

Virtual Tools Designed to Aid Future Surgeons

Tansel Halic, associate professor of computer science, and a team of student researchers have developed two pieces of technology to assist with surgical trainings. The Virtual Arthroscopic Tear Diagnosis and Evaluation Platform (VATDEP) is a simulation model designed to train surgeons for rotator cuff surgery, and the Virtual Fundamentals Arthroscopic Skill Trainer (VFAST) is programmed to help build surgical skills.

Laurels & Stripes

Laurels & Stripes, a scholarship fundraising gala, was held March 30 in the HPER Center on the University of Central Arkansas campus. The university’s premier event raised more than $700,000 for privately funded scholarships.

Scholarship Reception

The Scholarship Reception brought donors and scholarship recipients together on Oct. 18, 2018. The theme for the evening was “Thanks a Million.”

President’s Society

The University of Central Arkansas hosted the President’s Society Reception on Feb. 7, 2019, at the Capital Hotel in Little Rock. Members of the 2018 President’s Society were invited to the special event to be thanked for their gifts. Membership in the President’s Society is extended to those who contribute $1,000 or more during a calendar year.

Bard Ball

The Bard Ball, hosted by the Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre, was held Feb. 9 at Reyn- olds Performance Hall. The evening was billed “BROADWAY IN CONWAY,” as attendees enjoyed entertainment by “Hamilton” star and AST alum Fergie L. Philippe.

Laurels & Stripes

The University of Central Arkansas raised $719,000 in private scholarship support at its debut Laurels & Stripes fundraising gala, which was held March 30 on the UCA campus.

Foundation Funds Honor Late Professor, Family

The Howard Groth Vocal Performance Award has been renamed as the Howard and Helen Groth, Cathey Maxey Groth Vocal Performance Award. The late Cathey Groth ’72 and Bill Groth ’74 of Germantown, Tennessee, initially established the fund in 1984 in honor of the late Dr. Howard Groth, a former University of Central Arkansas professor and department chair.

Fiddler Appointed to UCA Board of Trustees

Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced the appointment of Dr. Terry Fiddler ’70 of Conway to the University of Central Arkansas Board of Trustees in January.

UCA Athlete Serves in Uganda During Summer Break

For spring sports, summer break usually signifies the end of a long, grueling season and a chance for players to recharge the batteries. However, there is one student-athlete at the University of Central Arkansas that chooses to spend her summers a bit differently.

Sculptor Creates Valor II Sculpture on Campus

Sculptor Gary Keenan used chainsaws to carve a white oak tree trunk on the UCA campus into a life-sized bear. The sculpture is located in front of Wingo Hall, welcoming visitors and students to campus.