Legacy: Making a difference for the leaders of tomorrow

When he arrived at UCA as a first-generation college student, Gary Bunn ’88 wasn’t sure what to expect. Having grown up in the small town of Crossett, Arkansas, without any sort of connection to college life, he was admittedly overwhelmed when he first set foot on campus. “I was intimidated,” Bunn said. “I won’t even say ‘a little’ intimidated. I was a lot intimidated. I didn’t have any … [Read more...]

Transforming tomorrow: Planned gift will make a mark for future Bears

As a two-time alumna of the University of Central Arkansas and now as dean of UCA’s Schedler Honors College, Patricia Smith ’01, ’03 has witnessed the profound influence higher education can have on students’ lives. That firsthand experience has made her passionate about making education accessible to as many students as possible. Smith wanted to play an active part in providing … [Read more...]

UCA School of Communication Class Takes On Depp v. Heard

When Dylan McLemore watched news coverage of the Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard trial, he saw a legal case with issues that the University of Central Arkansas School of Communication champions: media coverage, reputation management and social media behaviors. So perfectly aligned, in fact, that the UCA associate professor of public relations created a course about the defamation trial this past … [Read more...]

In photos: UCA celebrates graduates at commencement

The Farris Center at the University of Central Arkansas was a site of celebration and recognition May 5-6 as the University awarded more than 1,160 degrees during spring commencement ceremonies. Revisit the excitement of commencement with this gallery of photos. … [Read more...]

Health Promotion Major Makes Helping People Her Mission

Aria Bolman stood on a high school volleyball court, posing for photographs and celebrating with her teammates after a match in 2016. Then, in the corner of her eye, she spotted a familiar face she wasn’t expecting: her mother, a member of the U.S. Air Force newly home after a tour of duty in Afghanistan. It was the kind of reunion that has typically gone viral on social media over the years, … [Read more...]

Aspiring Teacher Makes a Difference at Veterans Resource Center

Like many children in military families, Rachel Lowe grew up moving around. That was a fact of life with a father serving in the Army Reserve and Arkansas National Guard for 31 years, including a tour of duty in Iraq. Her family crisscrossed the state and rarely stayed in the same place for more than a couple of years. It wasn't until much later that she was able to put down roots. “Moving … [Read more...]

The Echo and News 6 Receive Awards from Arkansas College Media Association

The Echo and News 6, UCA’s student-run newspaper and television news station from the School of Communication, gained top honors —including best student newspaper, best website and a second-place showing in best television outlet — in a journalism competition run by Arkansas College Media Association (ACMA). The independent student newspaper also took various individual awards for writing, … [Read more...]

UCA Professor Receives Harvard’s Houghton Library Visiting Fellowship

David Welky, a UCA professor of history, was awarded a 2022-2023 Houghton Library Visiting Fellowship for the study of the “Life and Times of Theodore Roosevelt.” Being a 2022-23 fellow, Welky must spend a total of four weeks at the Houghton Library at Harvard University between July 2022 and July 2023. He already spent three weeks there last July and will return back for his fourth week this … [Read more...]

Undergraduate Students Earn Research Fellowships

The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) has announced seven grants to undergraduate students as part of the prestigious Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF). The grants come from the Arkansas Division of Higher Education and give students the opportunity to develop a sustained relationship with a faculty member and carry out in-depth research, scholarship, or creative … [Read more...]

UCA physical therapy program receives $100,000 gift

The University of Central Arkansas physical therapy program has received a $100,000 charitable remainder unitrust from Dr. Sandy '77 and Joyce Quillen. The estate gift will provide for the creation of the endowed William S. and Joyce D. Quillen Physical Therapy Scholarship, in honor of his late wife. The scholarship was created to provide significant financial support toward the success of … [Read more...]