The Women’s Giving Circle at the University of Central Arkansas awarded four grants focused on programs and initiatives to uplift young girls and women.
Established in 2014, the Women’s Giving Circle is a group of alumnae and friends who have pledged to make a difference at UCA through grants for students, faculty and University programs beyond current funding levels. The group emphasizes areas that provide and encourage unique learning and leadership development opportunities that will enrich the lives of women.
Grant recipients and amounts awarded were: Dr. Debra Burris, associate professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, $1,000 for UCA Women In Physics Event; Kristy Carter, director of marketing, Division of Outreach and Community Engagement, $1,000 for Hope for Women of Domestic Violence initiative; Karen Thessing ’83, lecturer II, Department of Computer Science, $1,000 for Girls like Technology and Engineering too! initiative and Dr. Ginny Adams, interim associate dean, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, $975 for Girl Power in STEM event.
“We will be giving more money in the future. We are starting slowly because we want to endow this program,” said Nan Snow ’57, a Women’s Giving Circle charter member and UCA Foundation member. “Once it’s endowed, we can feel secure that it’s a permanent program, and we can expand our grants.”
The founding group of the Women’s Giving Circle was comprised of 19 members. The group now contains approximately 50 alumnae and friends of UCA. Alumnae members range from the class of 1950 to 2004. For more information or to join the Women’s Giving Circle, visit uca.edu/giving/womens-giving-circle.