UCA Magazine

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Up Close

A look at faculty, staff, students, and alumni.

Up Close: Bryan Massey

Up Close: Bryan Massey

Originally from Princeton, North Carolina, Massey began his studies in commercial art at East Carolina University, but his focus shifted with a chance meeting.

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Article by UCA Magazine Staff / Features, Spring/Summer 2026, Up Close

Up Close: Mac Marino ’67

Up Close: Mac Marino ’67

For as long as she can remember, Mac Marino ’67 has found her home in the theater. Growing up in North Little Rock, she caught the acting bug early, first as the “night-
beam” in her elementary school’s production of “Pinocchio”, then as the wicked queen in “Snow White.”

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Article by UCA Magazine Staff / Features, Spring/Summer 2026, Up Close

Up Close: Will Smith

Up Close: Will Smith

Originally from Little Rock and a graduate of Little Rock Central High School, Smith chose UCA after an injury altered his plans to attend school farther from home.

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Article by UCA Magazine Staff / Features, Spring/Summer 2026, Up Close

Up Close: Haley Crafton Fowler ’06

Up Close: Haley Crafton Fowler ’06

For Haley Crafton Fowler ’06, the University of Central Arkansas has never been just a workplace. It has always been home.

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Article by UCA Magazine Staff / Features, Spring/Summer 2026, Up Close

Brian Corbin

Brian Corbin

When Brian Corbin, director of transfer services, arrived at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) in 2000, he had never been to Arkansas, but he had a clear mission in mind. He found his place in Conway during that trip, and he continues to help transfer and returning students at the university he now calls home.

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Article by UCA Magazine Staff / Fall/Winter 2025, Features, Up Close

Doug Corbitt

Doug Corbitt

When Norbert Schedler walked up the front steps of Doug Corbitt’s house in 2001, sat down, and motioned him to come and talk, Corbitt wouldn’t have guessed that 24 years later, he would be an integral part of the Norbert O. Schedler Honors College as a beloved lecturer in philosophy and the Peer Mentor program coordinator.

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Article by UCA Magazine Staff / Fall/Winter 2025, Features, Up Close

Kyle Reynolds ’08

Kyle Reynolds ’08

With deep family ties to the University of Central Arkansas, Kyle Reynolds ’08 carried on a tradition when he chose to become a Bear.
“Both of my maternal grandparents went to school here, then both of my parents went, and then my older brother also attended UCA,” Reynolds said. “I applied to other schools and got in, but I had some family backing and had spent some time around campus, so I was familiar with it. I came to UCA and then just had a really great time.”

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Article by UCA Magazine Staff / Fall/Winter 2025, Features, Up Close

Abigail Wells

Abigail Wells

The decision to come to UCA quickly proved to be the right one. “When I came to campus, I knew that I would be able to thrive,” Wells said. “It was the best decision. I love it here.” Wells is now a senior at UCA, majoring in public administration and health promotion. She started BearsAdapt, a registered student organization inspired by the nonprofit she founded after graduating from high school, Natural State Adaptive Sports.

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Article by UCA Magazine Staff / Fall/Winter 2025, Features, Up Close

Up Close: Officer Nicole Sumner-Wheeler ’24

Up Close: Officer Nicole Sumner-Wheeler ’24

Upon joining the University of Central Arkansas’ Police Department (UCAPD) in October 2020, Officer Nicole Sumner-Wheeler ’24 knew she had found a special place to continue her law enforcement career, finish her education and serve her community.

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Article by UCA Magazine Staff / Spring/Summer 2025, Up Close

Up Close: Jeremy Horpedahl

Up Close: Jeremy Horpedahl

Jeremy Horpedahl stays busy in the University of Central Arkansas’ College of Business (COB) – from serving on Faculty Senate to director of the Arkansas Center for Research in Economics (ACRE) to associate professor to public appearances in varying forms of media – which makes his impact in the community noteworthy through his many accomplishments as he strives to help students, citizens and policymakers understand Arkansas’ economy.

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Article by UCA Magazine Staff / Spring/Summer 2025, Up Close

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President’s Message

Houston DavisAs I read through this edition of UCA Magazine, I am reminded that the University of Central Arkansas is defined not only by achievement, but by service, collaboration and a shared commitment to creating opportunity for others. The stories in these pages reflect the many ways our students, alumni, faculty and friends continue to make an impact across Arkansas and far beyond.

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About This Issue

Volume 116, Issue 1

Volume 116, Issue 1UCA Magazine is published two times annually by the University of Central Arkansas, from the Division of Advancement.
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UCA Magazine Archive

Past Issues

Spring/Summer 2026
Fall/Winter 2025
Spring/Summer 2025
Fall/Winter 2024
Spring/Summer 2024
Fall/Winter 2023
Spring/Summer 2023
Fall/Winter 2022
Spring/Summer 2022
Fall/Winter 2021
Spring/Summer 2021
Fall/Winter 2020
Spring/Summer 2020
Fall/Winter 2019
Spring/Summer 2019
Fall/Winter 2018
Spring 2018
Fall 2017
Spring 2017
Fall 2016
Spring 2016
Fall 2015
Spring/Summer 2015
Fall/Winter 2014

Opinions expressed in UCA Magazine are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the magazine or the university administration.

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