Steve Lake of Las Vegas today arrived at the University of Central Arkansas for his 400th visit to a four-year college or university.
Lake, a pit boss at Caesars Palace hotel and casino, was welcomed with a campus event in front of the fountain at Harding Centennial Plaza featuring UCA President Lu Hardin, Student Government Association President Haley Heath, Staff Senate President Patricia Smith and Kris Raper, the field representative for U.S. Senator Mark Pryor.
“We are honored that Steve Lake chose UCA for this milestone visit,” Hardin said.
Hardin presented Lake with a plaque from UCA and an Arkansas Traveler certificate provided by the office of Gov. Mike Beebe.
Raper read a letter of congratulations from Pryor to Lake.
Lake set a goal in 1984 to visit 500 colleges and universities, because he graduated from a college that was housed in an office building instead of on a campus.
“UCA is one of the most beautiful campuses I have ever visited, and I am especially glad to make UCA my 400th college visit because of all of the exciting things happening here,” Lake said.
UCA Board of Trustees member Rush Harding became acquainted with Lake in Las Vegas and initially extended the invitation for Lake to add UCA to his list of college visits.