Recognizes former UCA president
Former UCA President Tom Courtway
The University of Central Arkansas hosted an unveiling ceremony to rename the former Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER) Center the Thomas C. Courtway Student Recreation Center.
The renaming honors the dedicated service of former UCA President Tom Courtway, who served as the 10th university president from 2011-16.
“For over 100 years, UCA has stood as an absolute rock in Conway, stood as a beacon of learning for thousands of citizens around the state and other states,” Courtway said. “My vocabulary lacks the depth and breadth to describe to you today what this means to me. While I fail in this regard, always know that I’m humbled, grateful beyond words and will cherish this honor all of my days.”
Unveiling of Thomas C. Courtway Student Recreation Center
The UCA Board of Trustees approved the renaming at its October 2024 regular meeting. The recommendation was unanimously approved upon motion by Terry Fiddler and seconded by Kelley Erstine.
Under Courtway’s leadership, the former Health Physical Education and Recreation (HPER) Center Complex was renovated and expanded to include the addition of a pool and racquetball courts, and doubling the size of the weight rooms.
Approximately 200 individuals were in attendance, representing current and present members of the UCA Board of Trustees and the Arkansas General Assembly, as well as family, friends, colleagues, alumni and students.
“To any former trustees here, thank you for your service, your advice and everything you’ve meant to me. And to my friends, colleagues, co-workers, and everyone else that’s assembled here today, on a personal level, thank you very much. But more importantly, thank you for your support of this university and what you do for our students,” Courtway said.
Former UCA President Tom Courtway with current and past members of the UCA Board of Trustees
UCA first hired Courtway as general counsel in 2002. He left in late 2003 to serve as interim director of the Arkansas Department of Education and returned to UCA as general counsel in 2004. In December 2005, Courtway became vice president of Hendrix College in Conway until August 2006, when he returned to UCA as vice president and general counsel.
Highlights of Courtway’s service as president include the adoption of an official university seal; opening of Bear Hall, a 122,200 square-foot residence hall, which also houses UCA’s Athletics Department offices and skyboxes overlooking Estes Stadium; the construction of a 200-seat campus amphitheater; the 50,000-square-foot expansion to the Lewis Science Center, including a three-story addition with teaching, learning and research areas; the beginnings of the Donaghey Corridor project, with the construction of a 67,500-square-foot, four-story building located on the corner of Bruce Street and Donaghey Avenue, which is used for retail and residential space; and the completion of the Greek Village Phase I, which houses five sororities on campus and chapter rooms for National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) fraternities and sororities.
Courtway practiced law for several years in Arkansas. He worked with the Wright, Lindsey, & Jennings Law Firm in Little Rock from 1986 to 1993, when he moved to Conway to establish his own practice. In 1995, he joined the Brazil Law Firm in Conway, and in 2000, he opened the Courtway & Osment Law Firm in Conway where he remained until 2002.
Courtway served in the Arkansas House of Representatives from 1995 to 2001. While representing District 45, he chaired the Revenue and Tax Committee. He also served on the Agriculture & Economic Development Committee, the Judiciary Committee, and the Insurance & Commerce Committee.
He worked in Washington, D.C., as a legislative aide for U.S. Senators Dale Bumpers and David Pryor from 1979 to 1982 and from 1983 to 1986, respectively.
Courtway earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics and business from Hendrix College in 1975, a Juris Doctor with honors from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 1978, and an LLM (Tax) from Georgetown University in 1983.
Courtway was born in Wynne, Arkansas. He graduated from Conway High School in 1971. His father, Bob, taught at Hendrix College for close to 30 years, and his mother, Betty, was a public school kindergarten teacher.
He and his wife, Melissa, have four sons and ten grandchildren.
Former UCA President Tom Courtway with his wife, Melissa, and members of their family
