UCA Alumni Association Promotes Literacy, Legacy and UCA’s Campus with Children’s Book
Having two young children at home, Executive Director of Alumni Relations Alison Taylor was more than excited when Vice President of University Advancement Mary Bane Lackie brought her the idea for a children’s book. Taylor took this idea and began work on UCA’s children’s book “B Is for Bears: The UCA Alphabet.”
“I loved the idea,” Taylor said. “Having two young boys at home, I spend a lot of my time reading kids’ books to them.”
The book began to take shape with writing and design support from Kimberly Graves ’06, ’13 and Riley Hancock Matheny, director of branding and creative services. Matheny’s two young children also contributed ideas, while alumna and adjunct writing professor Jennifer McCune ’02, ’03, ’23, managing editor of UCA Magazine, provided editorial guidance. Built around the ABCs, the book highlights the many remarkable aspects of UCA’s campus, from learning to landmarks and legacy.
“After we got our storyboard put together, I talked with my kids, who are 4 and 6, about getting their reactions to different ways of saying things to narrow it down to what would be interesting and relevant to that age of children. Since they’re kids and they have no filters, they were very honest,” Matheny said.
The book teaches young readers by using the alphabet alongside engaging illustrations and providing opportunities for alumni to share their stories from UCA with future generations. Additionally, sales will help raise funding for future bears through the Kathy Carroll General Alumni Scholarship fund.
“This book provides a way for our alumni and friends to share UCA with the children in their lives. I hope this book will become a treasured item for families. When designing the book, we provided room in the front and back for people to share their campus memories,” Taylor said. “I hope we will inspire future Bears.”
The book was celebrated with a launch party on June 5, 2025, in Buffalo Alumni Hall. Bruce D. Bear autographed books for the children in attendance, and there were crafts, snacks and a reading performed by Miss UCA 2025 Tori Kiser.
It was officially released on August 5, 2025, and is currently available for purchase from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, and the publisher, Mascot Books.
