The Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts was made possible by a transformative $20 million matching gift from the Windgate Foundation, a $3 million gift from the Alice Walton Foundation, other donations, and the UCA Board of Trustees’ commitment to dedicating state bonds to the construction of the facility.
Each year presents a new opportunity to tell you about the tremendous achievements of the previous year, and we are excited to present the 2023-24 Annual Report for the University of Central Arkansas.
This has been a monumental year, to say the least. From the very beginning of the academic year, our campus made three announcements: the launch of UCA Commitment, the successful end of UCA Now, and another major gift to our university.
UCA Commitment provides incoming students from Arkansas with a debt-free pathway to a college education by covering tuition and fees. The program officially launched in fall 2024 and is available as an opt-in financial tool for students from households with incomes of no more than $100,000. UCA Commitment has the capacity to transform not only the lives of Arkansas students and families but also the narrative about higher education affordability.
We also announced the end of our $100 million capital campaign, UCA Now. The campaign ended nearly one year ahead of the anticipated end date with a total of $109 million. The third announcement was a $10 million major gift from the Windgate Foundation.
From those early days of the semester, we continued to make history as we made another monumental announcement. In November, UCA, in partnership with the city of Conway and Conway Regional Airport, announced the new UCA Aviation Academy. This is a highly certified pilot training program where students will obtain the knowledge, skill, and aeronautical experience necessary to meet the requirements for pilot certification.
This Annual Report includes these history-making accomplishments, as well as other significant markers from our faculty, staff, and students that have all contributed to the overall success of our beloved institution. I am very appreciative of all of the work we have done and look forward to continued momentum.
Go Bears!
Dr. Houston D. Davis President
The UCA Commitment is a groundbreaking, debt-free pathway for tuition and fees for incoming Arkansas freshmen with an annual household income of $100,000 or less.
Enrollment numbers continue to hold strong at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
143
DEGREES & CERTIFICATES
14:1
STUDENT-TOFACULTY RATIO
1,737
UNDERGRADUATE FALL 2023 ENROLLMENT
1,906
GRADUATE FALL 2023 ENROLLMENT
1.2% 2ND
INCREASE IN FIRST-TIME UNDERGRADUATE ENROLLMENT
9,790
FALL 2023 TOTAL ENROLLMENT FROM 48 STATES & 76 COUNTRIES
HIGHEST ENROLLMENT RATE
FOR THE GRADUATE SCHOOL IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS
In fall 2023, 1,737 first-time undergraduate students enrolled at UCA, with an average ACT score of 22.4 and an average high school GPA of 3.63.
Offered by the Department of Art and Design, in collaboration with the Department of History, the Certificate of Proficiency (CP) in historic preservation is designed to prepare students for careers in historic preservation, urban planning, document preservation, building technology, sustainable design, preservation planning, cultural heritage conservation, cultural resource management, public engagement, and heritage tourism. Historic preservation is an interdisciplinary field that is reflected in the intersection of courses from multiple fields of study related to cultural resources and the built environment.
The Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE) dual licensure program enables qualified students to concurrently complete state licensing requirements to teach elementary education in grades K-6 and special education in grades K-12. This fully online program is designed to serve those already working in the schools in educational support roles. The degree program builds upon a student’s 60-hour associate degree to reach the required 120 credit hours for a baccalaureate degree.
ENROLLMENT BY COLLEGE
1,572 COLLEGE OF ARTS, HUMANITIES, AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
1,614 COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
1,052 COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
2,939 COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
1,358 COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
1,255 UNDECLARED
The mission of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) is to provide UCA students with diverse learning opportunities to develop creativity, critical thinking and knowledge through artistic performance, professional support, and research. This year was especially exciting as CAHSS hosted innovative events at the Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts and more than 25 events for the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse.
• In fall 2023, CAHSS held the grand opening for the Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts with an immersive display of music, paintings, a bronze pour and more.
• In spring 2024, the Department of Art and Design received a $5 million anonymous gift to support the interior design program. The gift establishes two categories of endowed funds, with the majority of the gift, $4 million, to be used for endowed faculty positions, including at least four named professorships. The remaining $1 million will be designated to support internship and experiential learning opportunities for students.
• CAHSS hosted a record 16 artists for their Artists-in-Residence program this academic year. These included alumnus Morton Brown, designer of LUNA, the Eclipse Superhero, Sundance Film Festival Director Eugene Hernandez, award-winning visual artist Russell Crotty, poet and activist Carolyn Forché, and Grammy-winning artists Third Coast Percussion and Composer Michael Daugherty.
• In celebration of the Total Solar Eclipse, CAHSS hosted the Eclipse Dog Barkanalia. The cast and crew of the feature film “Road Trip to Totality” shot several scenes at the event, including during totality. Other CAHSS eclipse events included the Kickoff Party on the Stripes, the performance of “A Brief Moment of Alignment,” a new multidisciplinary dance work by Sue Schroeder in collaboration with filmmaker and composer Christian Meyer, multiple art exhibits, and a screening of the 1902 silent film, “Le voyage de la lune” with a new soundtrack composed by Blake Tyson and performed by the UCA Percussion Ensemble.
• With her film “Canchas” Paula Blanco earned the distinction of directing the first-ever, student-led, international film production from UCA.
$5M
ANONYMOUS GIFT GIVEN TO THE INTERIOR DESIGN PROGRAM
16
ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE
1,300+
ATTENDEES FROM 24 STATES, CANADA, ENGLAND, FRANCE, JAPAN, MEXICO, SCOTLAND AND TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO ENJOYED FREE MAINSTAGE SHOW RING DEMONSTRATIONS, LAWN GAMES, FOOD,
300+
40 UNDER 40 TAX RETURNS COMPLETED THROUGH THE IRS-CERTIFIED VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE (VITA) PROGRAM PARTNERSHIP
DREW GAINOR, COB ALUM AND ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER, WAS NAMED AMONG ARKANSAS BUSINESS 40 UNDER 40
The College of Business (COB) provides exceptional opportunities for its students to prepare them for leadership in an ever-changing, diverse global marketplace.
To add to the success of its students, Computer Information Systems and Analytics (CISA) Lecturer Susan Shaw began a new course that brought students to the Business Analytics Competition at Manhattan College in New York City. Additionally, business students Bo Cunningham and Ally Loter, led by faculty sponsor Ron Duggins, won first place in the Small Business Competition at the Arkansas Governor’s Cup in Little Rock. As part of their win, they earned a $10,000 prize.
• Karen Yezzi, an Arkansas Insurance Hall of Fame (AIHOF) board member and COB Advisory Board member, led the effort to create an endowment fund for student scholarships from the AIHOF. Yezzi pledged $100,000 to start the fund and challenged industry leaders to help grow the fund.
• The COB dedicated its accounting lab in memory of Jane Grigsby Arthurs, a devoted educator and alumnus of UCA. Arthurs dedicated 35 years of her life to teaching business education.
• Abby Bounds, a junior CISA major and the president of Girls Who Code, was presented with the Outstanding Community Outreach by a Student at the 2024 UCA Student Involvement Awards on Thursday, April 25. This award is presented to a student who prioritizes volunteerism and service to UCA and the local community.
• Associate Professor of Economics Jeremy Horpedahl shared his expertise on the changing economy with local news outlets like KTHV Little Rock and the Arkansas Democrat Gazette in addition to national and international outlets such as Newsweek, The National Review, and Deutsche Welle.
ZACHARY M c GINNES ECONOMICS
HIGHLAND, AR
3,400+
NUMBER OF STUDENTS SERVED THROUGH THE GEAR UP GRANT PROGRAM
DJ JAMES
The College of Education (COE) continues to inspire leadership and excellence through its programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. The COE houses four departments: Elementary, Literacy, and Special Education; Student Transitions; Leadership Studies; and Teaching and Learning. Graduates of the college are prepared for the challenging and rewarding world of education by practice in the classroom, experience through professional development, and exposure to the latest instructional techniques.
• COE was awarded an AmeriCorps grant in July of 2023. This grant gives scholarships to college students who participate in service opportunities such as tutoring.
• Carl Ratliff ’18 was named Teacher of the Year at Carver STEAM Magnet Elementary in Little Rock.
• Aida Kuettle was named 2023 Arkansas Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (ARKTESOL) Coordinator of the Year. This award was established to recognize the dedication required to be an outstanding ESOL coordinator or administrator. She taught children in Taiwan for the 2023-24 academic year.
• Jud Copeland was honored by the Arkansas Association of Instructional Media (AAIM) with an Honorary Lifetime Membership.
• Charlotte Parham was awarded a $30 million federal Gear Up grant. The Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) partnership is funded by the U.S. Department of Education to increase the college-bound rates of low-income secondary school students.
• COE Dean Victoria Groves-Scott was interviewed for an article in “Arkansas Money & Politics.” The article centers around the use of technology in the profession and in the future.
50th
ANNIVERSARY FOR THE ACCREDITATION OF THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PROGRAM
$46K+
AMOUNT OF INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL GRANTS AWARDED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EXERCISE AND SPORT SCIENCE
The College of Health and Behavioral Sciences (CHBS) is a leader in interprofessional education and community-engaged learning. The college is dedicated to improving the lives of those it serves by educating and empowering future health care leaders and enhancing community well-being.
CHBS students are making a significant impact in the community. By partnering with the Conway Ministry Center, CHBS offers students vital health and wellness services and hands-on training. Through the Go Baby Go program, students work in teams to enhance children’s mobility by providing modified ride-on cars. Initiatives such as Round-tables Engaging an Alliance for Collaborative Healthcare (REACH) conferences foster collaboration and innovation in healthcare through interprofessional education (IPE). A college-wide research symposium also allows students to share their research and learn from each other.
• A generous donation to the UCA Foundation has established the Dr. Elaine McNiece Adult Neurodegenerative Program, providing crucial funding for its development.
• The UCA Nabholz Center for Healthcare Simulation – Integrated Health Sciences recently became one of only two simulation facilities in Arkansas to be awarded provisional accreditation.
• With help from grants from central Arkansas agencies, nutrition and family sciences student Dustin Silverman-Barnes led a team of students in building a sustainable garden at Bethlehem House, a local shelter for women and children.
• Second-year Doctor of Physical Therapy students participated in a community service learning project that provided local professionals with ergonomics education on preventing injury and reducing current musculoskeletal issues in their workplace. The students performed objective evaluations followed by critical assessments and creating home exercise programs for the participants.
CARLIE TEAGUE NURSING
TEXARKANA, AR
HONEY NORFOLK ENGINEERING PHYSICS & SOCIOLOGY
LITTLE ROCK, AR
The establishment of the College of Science and Engineering (COSE) was announced during the Board of Trustees meeting on May 21, 2024. The cybersecurity and engineering physics programs were newly accredited by ABET, resulting in the college having three ABET accredited programs. ABET accredits college and university programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering and engineering technology.
STUDENTS TRAINED SINCE THE ARKANSAS CODING ACADEMY INCEPTION, MAKING A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON ARKANSAS’ TECHNICAL INDUSTRY
UCA HAS ONE OF THE 28 ABET-ACCREDITED CYBERSECURITY PROGRAMS WORLDWIDE, AND IT IS THE FIRST IN ARKANSAS
• COSE hosted UCA STEM Day, a robotics competition for middleto high school students, and many exciting activities and events during the total eclipse on April 8, 2024.
• Biology graduate students Patricia Fiedorek and Donovan Clark, who won first place and runner-up, respectively, won the Strawinski Award for outstanding undergraduate/MS student oral presentation at the 2023 American Society of Microbiology South Central Branch meeting in Little Rock on Nov. 10, 2023.
• Chemistry students Savi Ahounou, Haley Cox, Elisabeth Hicklin, and Noah Taylor were awarded the Advancing Science Conference Grant (ASCG) to participate in the National Organization for Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, Sept. 12, 2023.
• The Manion Award winner for 2023 was Francesca Redditt. She was the first environmental science-chemistry major to receive this distinction.
• Katherine Peters won the UCA College of Natural Science and Mathematics Outstanding Student of the Year Award.
• The Department of Geography worked with UCA’s IT department to develop a Single-Sign on option for our primary GIS license through Esri’s ArcGIS Online. This new access allows all members of the UCA community to utilize this cloud-based geographic information system platform for spatial analysis.
• The Department of Physics, Astronomy, and Engineering purchased and successfully deployed the new Radio Telescope. It also received funding from the Arkansas Department of Education for statewide data collection on the day of the 2024 total eclipse. The Robotics Senior Design team won the statewide robotics competition sponsored by the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium.
COOPER HORTON
LINGUISTICS & INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
CONWAY, AR
CRITICAL LANGUAGE
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
400+ HONORS STUDENTS
The UCA Honors College is home to the Norbert O. Schedler Honors College, Honors in the Major, and the newly renamed Schedler Honors Program, formerly the University Scholars Program. Each program offers many unique academic opportunities to further the interdisciplinary understanding and leadership qualities of its scholars.
During the 2023-24 academic year, the Honors College moved from its home of 42 years in McAlister Hall to the new Schichtl Center for Honors Education (SCHEd). The grand re-opening was celebrated in fall 2024.
• Honors lecturer, Cindy Lea, received a Collaborative Online International Learning award for her partnership with Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Occidente (ITESO) University in Guadalajara, Mexico.
• Schedler Honors College junior, Cooper Horton, received a Critical Language Scholarship to study in Kyrgyzstan.
UCA’s Graduate School offers degrees that provide rigor, opportunities and a vibrant community necessary for students to excel in their careers. Whether the goal is to be an artist, business executive, educator, health care provider or scholar, UCA has dozens of programs to give graduate students expert-level skills as they reach their professional goals. The Graduate School recorded its highest enrollment ever during the fall 2023 semester at 2,059 graduate and post-baccalaureate students. This enrollment was due, in part, to quality graduate programs, streamlined application procedures, an automated communication plan for applicants and interested students, increased external funding that provides tuition assistance for graduate students and flexibility of programs. The Graduate School continued its focus on four pillars that are the foundation for all graduate programs at UCA: innovation, leadership, expertise and opportunities.
• April 1-5, 2024, UCA celebrated Graduate Student Appreciation Week. This week included online and face-to-face activities to honor and celebrate our graduate students.
• The Graduate School continued producing “Grad Chats,” a podcast devoted to providing graduate students with practical, researchbased support for their well-being.
• Mallori Goines, a graduate student pursuing a Master of Science degree in communication sciences and disorders, was awarded the Robert M. McLauchlin Graduate Scholarship.
• Margarita Perez, a graduate student pursuing her Master of Arts in Teaching degree, was awarded the Breaking Barriers Graduate Scholarship.
2,059
HIGHEST ENROLLMENT EVER DURING FALL 2023 SEMESTER
1,492 STUDENTS LOGGED SERVICE HOURS THROUGH UCA’S SERVICE TRACKING PLATFORM, FOR A TOTAL OF OVER 32,504 HOURS OF SERVICE
Service-learning at UCA combines education with service to broaden students’ academic journeys. During the 2023-34 academic year, 1,777 students and 63 faculty members across all colleges participated in various service-learning projects. Four faculty members participated in the Service-Learning Faculty Fellows Institute in partnership with the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Academic Leadership.
• Bear Boots on the Ground mobilized 11 volunteers to travel to Memphis over spring break to serve four days with an environmental stewardship project on the Mississippi River.
• In the 2024 primary election season, 24 students volunteered with civic holidays, whether they helped register other students to vote on National Voter Registration Day or celebrated the democratic process at UCA’s on-campus polling site during Party at the Polls.
• This year, 83 students earned a community service graduation cord by logging at least 100 hours of service to the community during their time at UCA.
• UCA’s Americorps program, BearsServe Leaders, was renewed for its fifth year in 2023-2024. Thirty UCA students participated in the yearlong program serving more than 9,000 hours combined.
• Abigail Wells was recognized for her civic commitment as UCA’s Newman Civic Fellow, a national award for students conferred by Campus Compact.
THE BIG EVENT BROUGHT TOGETHER 465 STUDENT VOLUNTEERS TO COMPLETE 69 SERVICE PROJECTS IN UCA’S LARGEST STUDENT-LED DAY OF SERVICE AND AMERICORPS WEEK OBSERVATION.
Beginning fall of 2024, all entering freshmen have the opportunity to be a part of one of UCA’s vibrant Living Learning Communities (LLCs) centered around where they live. UCA is the only four-year public university in the state to make this experience available to all incoming freshmen.
Designed to engage students in specialized environments to fit their unique interests, UCA’s LLCs promote academic success and provide developmental support all under one roof. Dedicated faculty, staff, and student mentors help guide freshmen students on their career paths and help them discover opportunities to connect classroom learning to real-world experiences.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Jayme Millsap Stone retired after 27 years as director of LLCs. Stone was a founding editor of the “Journal of Learning Communities Research” and an early National Learning Communities Project leader.
• Lesley Graybeal has been named the new director of LLCs after nine years as UCA’s director of experiential and community-engaged learning.
Bridging Educational and Athletic Resources for Success
Business, Innovation, and Leadership Development
Exploration, Discovery, and Global Engagement
Health Promotion and Wellness
Residents in Service and Education
Minton Commuter College for students of any major who are living off-campus
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
MUSE /‘myüz/ n. a source of inspiration; v. to think profoundly or deeply
Women in Science and Healthcare
The University of Central Arkansas honored exceptional faculty and staff during Fall 2023 Convocation.
PUBLIC SERVICE
Faith Yarberry
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
DEPARTMENT CHAIR LEADERSHIP
Stephanie Watson
Department of Accounting
OUTSTANDING GRADUATE MENTOR
Femina Varghese
Department of Psychology and Counseling
RESEARCH, SCHOLARSHIP, AND CREATIVE ACTIVITY
Alicia Cotabish
Department of Teaching and Learning
DIVERSITY, BELONGING, AND EQUITY AWARD
Angela Jackson
Division of Student Life
OUTSTANDING GRADUATE CONTRIBUTIONS
Louis Nadelson
Department of Leadership Studies
TEACHING EXCELLENCE
Leah Lowe
Department of Physical Therapy
EXTERNAL FUNDING IMPACT
Tori Dunlap
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
Jennifer Bell
Graduate School
SHUMAKER-WRIGHT UNDERGRADUATE MENTORSHIP
Ken Sobel
Department of Psychology and Counseling
NON-CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
Amanda Paladino
Office of the Registrar
Exemplary students or Recognized Student Organizations (RSO) are recognized by President Houston Davis with the CLAWS award during regularly scheduled Board of Trustees meetings. Short for Celebrating the Lofty Achievements of Our Wonderful Students, the CLAWS award is given to those who exhibit distinction in academics, a commitment to excellence and the advancement of UCA’s campus community.
Benjamin Favorite
Breanna Racher
August 2023
Lilly Daugherty
Abigail Wells
October 2023
Madison Ogle
Mia Waddell
December 2023
The Veterans and Military Resource Center Work Study Team
February 2024
UCA held graduation ceremonies in August and December, as well as May 2024.
In total, the university conferred 1,536 undergraduate degrees and 807 graduate degrees for 2023-2024. The university welcomed more than 21,108 students and guests to the UCA campus.
During May’s ceremonies, the following students received the President’s Medallion for Outstanding Student of the University for the 2023-24 academic year.
Enrique Carbone College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Carson Griffin College of Business
Krista Pruss College of Education
Nelson Omolo Jr. College of Health and Behavioral Sciences
Katherine Peters College of Science and Engineering
The Ronnie Williams Student Center’s first-floor renovation began in spring 2024 and be completed by fall 2024. The center’s refresh will include newly painted walls and new flooring.
The Schichtl Center for Honors Education (SCHEd) will now serve as the home for Honors at UCA. Schichtl Hall’s renovation will be completed and open by summer 2024. The Global Learning and Engagement and Norbert O. Schedler Honors College are housed in the newly renovated building, including faculty and staff offices, classrooms, and gathering spaces, all designed with the needs and well-being of faculty, staff, and students in mind.
The Snow Fine Arts Recital Hall began its air quality projects in the spring and summer of 2024. The hall is home to many of the music department’s faculty and student recitals, chamber music performances, and guest artist performances. The facility is anticipated to reopen for music and theater in the fall of 2024.
TOTAL CAMPUS BUILDINGS/ FACILITIES THE ARCHIVES WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN THE FEBRUARY “ARKANSONGS” EXHIBIT, WHICH FEATURED ARTIFACTS FROM TRAILBLAZING ARKANSAS ARTISTS SUCH AS LOUIS JORDAN’S SAXOPHONE AND JIMMY DRIFTWOOD’S GUITAR.
Since 1930, Torreyson Library has provided superior resources that foster academic excellence. With collections that include over 290,000 books, 350,800 ebooks, 93,000 digital serials, and 130 databases, Torreyson Library provides the campus community with access to knowledge across diverse disciplines.
• The library assisted students 42,661 times last year through services such as research appointments, reference and circulation desk questions, item checkouts, and interlibrary loans.
• The library hosted Bear Biographies which allowed students to check out a human book for a conversation about the book’s lived experiences.
• Archivist Phoenix Smithey joined the library faculty in August 2023.
The Student Success and Veterans Resource Center (SSVRC), at 302 Donaghey Avenue, will house Student Success, the Veterans and Military Resource Center and BEAR Life.
This season, Reynolds hosted an exciting mix of events featuring musicians The Bacon Brothers, the Conway Symphony Orchestra with Batman in Concert and Belinda Davids with “The Greatest Love of All.” Also presented were Broadway favorites “ANNIE,” “Little Women,” and the smash hit “The Cher Show.” Patrons experienced a great night out with “America’s Game® Wheel of Fortune LIVE!,” “Coco Live to Film Concert,” comedian Brian Regan and “Remember When Rock Was Young - The Elton John Experience” with The Rocket Band.
Reynolds hosted The Main Stage EdUCAtion Series, which exposes pre-K through 12th grade students across Arkansas to live performing arts. Some of the shows presented this year were “Cat Kid Comic Club the Musical,” “NORTH the Musical,” “Bill Blagg Science of Magic,” and a beautiful Mexican cultural dance and music experience by Folkloric Dance of Mexico.
Featuring visual art, theatre, and music under one roof, the Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts offers Central Arkansas arts patrons a unique experience. The center features public art spaces, including a concert hall, black box theatre, art gallery and more. The facility’s cutting-edge design allows students and faculty to foster new collaborative partnerships across multiple academic disciplines.
The Windgate Center held its grand opening with a sold-out performance of Ben Folds and celebrated some Louisiana music culture with Sean Ardoin “Kreole Rock and Soul.” Lee Rocker of The Stray Cats also performed. The Total Eclipse of 2024 was celebrated with NASA Astrophysicist, Amber Straughn.
UCA’s Division of Outreach and Community Engagement (OCE) offers a myriad of opportunities and resources to the community through continuing education, customized and nontraditional training and event planning services.
The OCE houses the Conway Area Youth Leadership Institute (CAYLI) and UCA’s Women’s Leadership Network. The OCE is also home to the Center for Community and Economic Development (CCED) and the Community Development Institute (CDI) which furthers the vision of a positive impact for the state.
The UCA Aviation Academy was launched in spring 2024 as the newest workforce development program. This program addresses the national shortage of pilots by preparing skilled professionals for the aviation industry.
• The OCE coordinated the state’s Child Nutrition Unit certification programs for more than 325 participants. Additionally, the OCE created CubsREAD program with the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders which provides reading enrichment and development for students K-2.
• The Women’s Leadership Academy 2024 Cohort and City of Hope Outreach (CoHo) collaborated to launch Single Mothers Accessing Resources Together (SMART), a series of workshops designed to empower single mothers with community resources. The workshop series launched on April 27, 2024 and addressed the challenges single mothers face when balancing work schedules and preparing nutritious meals for the family.
• CCED hosted the fourth annual Arkansas Equity Summit Conway Area Youth Leadership Institute (CAYLI). Twenty-three students from eight schools and two home schools participated in the program. More than $150,000 was received through CCED training and technical assistance programs.
25,000+
25 LEADERS
PARTICIPANTS IN EVENTS MANAGED BY CONFERENCE SERVICES FROM WASHINGTON AND BENTON COUNTY, COMPLETED CDI YEAR 1 THROUGH THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PIPELINE PROGRAM FUNDED BY THE WALTON FAMILY FOUNDATION
$33,500
MONEY THE FAULKNER COUNTY IMAGINATION LIBRARY RECEIVED FROM TOAD SUCK DAZE IN MAY
75
SCHOLARSHIPS SUPPORTED FOR CDI 2024
At UCA, student involvement offers community awareness, connection and opportunities to pursue areas of interest and leadership while building friendships that last a lifetime. With more than 150 student organizations, clubs and recreational groups, students enjoy meeting new people and experiencing an active and impactful campus community. Involvement in Greek Life in addition to academic and cultural clubs enhances the academic experience.
Students also benefit from amenities such as the Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER) Center, which includes training and equipment along with the Student Health Center that provides assistance and care for UCA’s diverse student population.
Family Day, an annual event at UCA inviting families of UCA students, faculty and staff to campus, took place on October 11, 2023, and had more than 1,000 people in attendance. There were many festivities including a live band, balloon art, face painting, inflatable games and much more.
UCA’s Homecoming was October 28, 2023. There were 34 royalty nominees and more than 1,500 votes cast. There was a full week of exciting events, including a Fall Festival, an Alumni Craft Night Yarn Adventure Truck, a campus blood drive, Food Truck Festival and more.
UCA has 19 fraternities and sororities. In Fall 2023 UCA had 1,084 Greek students. This totals 13.7% of the undergraduate student population affiliated with Greek Life at UCA.
More than 1,200 Recognized Student Organizations (RSO) meetings, events and activities were registered on CubConnect this academic year. The Student Involvement Awards Reception took place on April 25. There were more than 29 unique nominees across nine categories. These awards acknowledge the outstanding efforts of students, advisors and RSOs during the current academic year and recognize the leadership achievements of our students in their academics and co-curricular activities.
34 HOMECOMING ROYALTY NOMINEES
29+ NOMINEES AT THE STUDENT INVOLVEMENT AWARDS RECEPTION
The Central Arkansas Bears and Sugar Bears had another successful year in their third season in the ASUN Conference. UCA student-athletes won both individual and team championships during the 2023-24 academic year and continued to excel in the classroom and in the community.
• The Bears hired John Shulman to lead the men’s basketball program on March 18, 2024.
• The Beach Bears won eight matches this past season, including wins over McNeese, Austin Peay and Tarleton.
• Tucker Anderson was named the ASUN Freshman of the Year, the second such award in three years for the Bears.
• Central Arkansas set a program record with 73 rebounds in a nonconference game against Champion Christian.
• First-year head coach Tony Kemper led the Sugar Bears to 21 wins, reaching the 20-win mark for the first time since 2017-18.
• The Sugar Bears hosted the first round of the WNIT after reaching the ASUN Championship Final for the first time in program history.
• Kinley Fisher was named the ASUN’s Sixth Player of the Year, and Randrea Wright and Jade Upshaw were named Second Team All-ASUN guards.
• The Bears earned their way into their first ASUN Championship Tournament, making a run to the ASUN Semifinals.
• Senior Jesse Barker was named the ASUN Pitcher of the Year and became Central Arkansas’ all-time strikeout leader.
• The Bears picked up a win at SEC competitor and No. 23 Mississippi State, the fifth win in eight games in Starkville, Miss.
• Central Arkansas defeated the Governors in its lone home weekend of the spring.
• The Men’s Cross Country team set five personal bests at the NCAA South Central Regionals.
• The Women’s Cross Country team peaked at No. 9 in the USTFCCCA South Central Rankings.
• The men’s team earned a sixth-place finish at the ASUN Championships in Nashville, Tenn.
• Student Jack Dingman was named an Academic All-ASUN runner after posting a 3.75 GPA as he pursues a Computer Science degree.
• Junior Madeline Hill finished 36th of 180 runners at the NCAA South Central Regionals and was also named to the All-ASUN Team.
• The Bears went 7-4 in 2023, with four onescore wins and three wins being decided in the final 2:15 of the game.
• David Walker added plenty of hardware to his resume, earning the UAC Defensive Player of the Year and three All-American Team nods.
• Quarterback Will McElvain crossed the 5,000-yard passing career mark at UCA after throwing for 2,477 yards and 24 touchdowns last season.
DREW STURGEON HEALTH PROMOTION
FARMINGTON, AR
• The team won a tournament for the fourth straight year after claiming top honors at The Judson.
• They claimed four top-five finishes as a team.
• Madison Holmes was named a Second Team AllASUN golfer, and Gudrun Thortsteinsdottir was added to the ASUN All-Freshman team.
• The team closed the regular season with two topfive finishes in Columbia, Missouri, and Iowa City, Iowa.
• Mark Stockdale won the team’s first individual medal since 2018, winning the Everett Buick GMC Classic.
• Stockdale was named the ASUN Freshman of the Year and All-ASUN Golfer. Zach Little was also named an All-ASUN golfer.
• The Bears clinched a spot in the ASUN Championships for the third straight season after going 7-1-3 in ASUN games.
• The team ended the regular season on a five-game unbeaten streak, earning the league’s No. 2 seed.
• Junior Kelley Van Gundy was named a United Soccer Coaches All-South Region third-team midfielder after leading the team with seven goals and four assists.
• The team earned a 0-0 draw in an early season match against No. 7 Florida International.
• Sophomore Pietro Fontana tied a program record with four goals in an ASUN match against Queens.
• The Bears defeated Queens again in the ASUN Championships, winning at least one postseason game for the third straight season.
• Head Coach Jenny Parsons became the fastest coach to win 100 wins at Central Arkansas in just 157 games.
• The Bears advanced to the ASUN Championship quarterfinals for the third straight year.
• Kylie Griffin was named the ASUN Defensive Player of the Year and was one of four Bears to earn AllASUN honors.
• Central Arkansas debuted its 19th sport on February 16, 2024 and earned its first win the next day.
• The Bears landed two First Team All-Americans, one Second Team All-American and two Honorable Mention All-Americans.
• Central Arkansas finished fourth at the Division I National Championships.
• Vichitraporn Vimuktananda earned an All-ASUN Second Team nod after a successful season at the No. 1 spot.
• The Bears won 11 matches in the spring, including wins over ASUN competitors EKU, Queens, and Bellarmine.
• Central Arkansas was competitive on the road, going 6-7 away from home.
• The men’s team finished second at the ASUN Outdoor Championships and third at the ASUN Indoor Championships.
• The women’s team finished second at the ASUN Outdoor Championships in the spring.
• The men’s 4x100 team, Kobe Gill, TyJuan Huffman, Wesley Suen, and Aaron Webb, qualified for the NCAA Semifinals in Eugene, Oregon, after posting a program record 39.53 at the NCAA Quarterfinals in Fayetteville. The women’s 4x100 team, Raghan Allen, Kendelle McCoy, Troynelle Miller, and Ciara Tucker competed at the NCAA Quarterfinals, posting a time of 44.74 seconds.
• TyJuan Hoffman was named the ASUN’s Most Outstanding Track Performer for the outdoor season.
• Raghan Allen was named the ASUN’s Most Outstanding Freshman of the Year for the indoor season.
• Central Arkansas opened their home schedule in front of the fourth-largest crowd ever in the Prince Center against Big 10 member Michigan State.
• Two Sugar Bears players earned ASUN weekly awards: Alexis McDaniel, Defensive Player of the Week, and Caylan Koons, Setter of the Week.
• Senior April Conant was awarded a spot on the ASUN Winners for Life Team.
The University of Central Arkansas closed out the fiscal year 2024 with nearly $16 million raised from 6,916 donors. This is the seventh consecutive year the university has surpassed its fundraising goal and raised more than $10 million.
The university’s annual fundraising achievement follows the successful, early completion of the UCA NOW Campaign, which raised more than $109 million ten months ahead of schedule.
The largest gift recorded this fiscal year was a $5 million anonymous gift to support UCA’s interior design program. The gift established two categories of endowed funds to support the program. The majority of the gift, $4 million, will be used to endow faculty positions allowing at least four named professorships. The remaining $1 million will be designated to support internship and experiential learning opportunities for students.
In March, UCA’s 10th Annual Day of Giving set a new record with more than $1.4 million raised during the 24-hour fundraising event from 2,369 donors.
Also a part of UCA’s success was $3.1 million in planned gifts from 19 donors secured through the university’s new Office of Legacy Planning. Additionally, UCA received generous support from 772 members of the UCA President’s Society, the leadership annual giving society.
Alumni, friends and others can support UCA by contacting the Division of Advancement at 501-450-3421 or by visiting uca.edu/giving.
$15,959,779
LEROY DANGEAU ’55
2024 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI
Annual event that showcased UCA’s passion for fundraising as more than 500 alumni and friends enjoyed an unforgettable evening on April 13, 2024, celebrating the impact of privately funded scholarships and honoring Distinguished Alumni award recipients, LeRoy Dangeau ’55, Emogene Fox ’66, ’71 and Lencola Sullivan-Verseveldt ’79.
$2,826,452
TOTAL AMOUNT DONATED BY UCA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION MEMBERS
2,216 $89,500
NUMBER OF UCA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION MEMBERS AMOUNT AWARDED IN SCHOLARSHIPS BY THE UCA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
The University of Central Arkansas raised $1.47 million on its 10th annual Day of Giving - setting a new all-time record for the event.
This marks the third year UCA’s Day of Giving has raised more than $1 million. The first was in 2020 with a total of $1.12 million. The second was last year with $1.29 million. Since Day of Giving’s inception in 2015, UCA has raised more than $6.6 million dollars.
More than 2,912 gifts were contributed from 41 states and 73 countries. The average gift size was $503. The total number of donors was 2,369 individuals which also set a new record for participation.
Funds raised during Day of Giving support a wide range of needs including scholarships, state-of-the-art equipment, research and experiential learning opportunities that equip students to be leaders in the regional and global economies.
More than 80 campus and community partners served as Day of Giving ambassadors, promoting the event through social platforms, phone calls and special events and giveaways on campus.
UCA students represented the largest percentage among donors with 36%, followed by alumni at 31%. UCA faculty and staff comprised 21% of total donors; friends 8% and parents nearly 3%.
The Alumni Association hosted 31 events during the 202324 fiscal year. During the Homecoming Alumni Awards Celebration, Richard Martin Jr. ’76, ’77 and Susan Setzler ’83, ’84 were honored as Karen S. Sullards Alumni Service Award recipients. Carmeon Hamilton ’08 received the Young Alumni Award, and Andrew Reynolds ’12 was honored as the recipient of the Alumni Volunteer of the Year. The Alumni Board of Directors appointed one new member, Dawn-Marie Martin ’98. The UCA Alumni Association is an organization that serves as a link between the university and its graduates. Its primary purpose is to maintain a robust and active relationship with UCA alums by offering various services, benefits and programs.
Anonymous Garcia Family Foundation*
OF $100,000-$999,999
Anonymous Anonymous*
Bunny and Carol Adcock
Bill Arthurs*
Linda L. Beene*
Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas
Charles B. Carter Jr.
Stephanie M. Daigle*
Emogene Fox*
Linda and Rush Harding
GIFTS OF $25,000-$99,999
First Security Bank
Sue Griffin
Harris Concrete Construction, Inc.
Aramark Services, Inc.
Arkansas Blue Cross & Blue Shield Auto-Owners Insurance Company
Jimmy Batcheller and Sara Hendricks Batcheller
Baxley Family Foundation Centennial Bank
Conway Advertising and Promotion Commission
Conway Corporation
Dixie Band Camp, Inc.
Carolyn Eidson
Kim and Todd Eskola*
Darrell E. Hill, II*
Jim Hoyme
Conley D. and Betty F. Jackson Family Trust and Allan B. Jackson, Trustee
LuRene H. Jolly
Janet and Scott Korenblat Lloyd Sales Company
Anthony and Hanna Manning
McCormack
Elaine McNiece* Andrew B. Meadors
H. B. Hardy*
Larry and Jaynette Huff*
Caitlin and Tyler Rodgers*
John and Norma Tio Farthing*
Walton Family Foundation, Inc.
Lavon Morton and Brenda Yelvington
Bradley R. Mullins*
Nabholz Construction
Mike and Maria Norvell
Oaklawn Jockey Club, Inc.
Corey Parks*
Peak Sports Management
Dona and Gene Scott
Kathy Scott
Simmons Bank
Ryan Taneja
Textbook Brokers, Inc.
Bridges-Larson Foundation
Toad Suck Daze
Chris and Merrily Wyrick
Nadia C. Eslinger*
Karen Yezzi GIFTS OF $1 MILLION AND ABOVE
Virginia B. Moon
GIFTS OF $10,000-$24,999
African American Alumni Association
American Truck & Rail Audits, Inc.
Anonymous Apple, Inc.
Arkansas Community Foundation
Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance
Arvest Bank
Stephen E. Baker
Jim Wallis and Pat Becker-Wallis
Biotest Pharmaceuticals Corp.
Lisa L. Birdwell Anderson and Phillip Anderson
Amanda and Adam Bledsoe
Broker Solutions
Sara and Brian Broussard
Wesley and Janet Burks
The Cashion Company, Inc.
Cintas Corporation
Cousins’ Office Furniture, Inc.
Crain Hyundai of Conway
Cumulus Media
Houston and Jenny Davis
Slim Chickens
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Eric Rob & Isaac
F.O. Williams Advertising, Inc.
Federal Reserve Bank
Lisa Ferrell
First Arkansas Bank & Trust
First Community Bank
Traci and Nathaniel Grubbs
Lakeisha and Tremayne Harris
The Hatcher Agency, Inc.
HD Roofing and Construction LLC
Andrew P. Hiegel
The Honorable Cliff and Debbie Hoofman
Hugg & Hall Equipment
Tad and Judy Krug
Signe Larson Rebolledo and John Rebolledo
Ron and Ann Hargis Lensing
Richard J. Martin Jr.*
Outdoor Media Group of Companies
Robert and Lauren Redfern
Tom and Joanie Roberts
Charlie and Vicki Strong
Robert A. Taylor
Turbare Manufacturing
Turner Holdings/Hiland Dairy Weaver-Bailey Contractors, Inc.
Mark V. Williamson *Includes planned/estate gifts
The seven members of the board are appointed by the governor and approved by the Arkansas Senate. The Board of Trustees members serve seven-year terms, with one member’s term expiring each year on January 15.
AMY DENTON Chair 2028
MICHAEL STANTON Vice Chair 2029
DR. MICHAEL HARGIS Provost & Executive VP for Academic Affairs
TERRI CANINO VP of Finance & Administration
JEREMY GILLAM Director of Governmental Affairs & External Relations
DR. MARY BANE LACKIE VP of University Advancement & UCA Foundation President
JIM RANKIN, JR. Secretary 2030 MR. KELLEY ERSTINE 2031
WARREN READNOUR General Counsel
TREVOR SEIFERT Chief Information Officer
DR. FREDRICKA SHARKEY Director of Media Relations
DR. KEVIN P. THOMAS VP for Enrollment Services & Student Success
DR. ANGELA WEBSTER Chief Diversity Officer & Associate VP for Inst. Diversity & Inclusion
AMY WHITEHEAD Chief of Staff
MATT WHITING Director of Athletics
DR. ROBIN WILLIAMSON VP of Student Affairs
The Faculty Senate achieved several goals this year. They worked with President Davis, his team, and the Staff Senate to initiate a Call for Proposals for a campus-wide salary review. The Faculty Senate also worked with the Strategic Plan Committee regarding language in the university’s current Strategic Plan. This year, the Senate also launched the first New Faculty Welcome Committee initiative with great success,
having met all new full-time faculty members. They also utilized existing money to start a “Faculty Research Empowerment Grant Resolution” through which the Faculty Senate will provide faculty funds for research and travel. Also established this year was the “Staff-Faculty Coalition” which will organize regular meetings with the President and Vice President of the Faculty and Staff Senates.
The Student Government Association (SGA) focused on connection and engagement this year. They allocated more than $200,000 to Recognized Student Organizations (RSO) through the Student Activity Fee Allocation (SAFA) for events, conferences, professional development, speakers and more. They connected students with UCA administration through several notable events, including town hall meetings, a new SGA podcast, Dean-for-a-Day and Donuts with the Deans. The association also sponsored or co-sponsored
This year, 33 staff senators from all administrative divisions of the university represented UCA. Staff members logged more than 1,828 volunteer hours, with 183 staff members assisting with campus initiatives. The Staff Senate’s Winter Feast committee raised $2,738.60 in ticket sales and donations to help support the Angel Bear initiative, through which they sponsored 91 children and provided meal assistance to 30 families. Staff Senate also provided almost $1,571 to help employees who experienced unforeseen circumstances and awarded $3,600 in
the Diversity Food Truck Festival, Laps for Life, the Homecoming Step Show, Party at the Polls and the Big Event. SGA’s improvements to campus this year include re-establishing the free feminine hygiene product project, funding the renovation of the Lewis Science Center atrium and working to improve accessibility on campus. Connecting with the community included the Day at the Capitol event, packing meals for the Conway Ministry Center and funding survivor kits for victims of sexual assault in Conway.
scholarships for staff members and their dependents. Nearly $30,359 was awarded to staff members for professional assistance. During the Spring Social, roughly 600 faculty and staff joined together to raise more than $1,450 for various campus initiatives. The senate also hosted two Food Truck Fests, continued the “Focus Fridays” initiative, purchased T-shirts for all staff on campus, hosted free line dancing classes as part of their “Get up and Get moving” initiatives and celebrated their 40th year anniversary with a reunion in Buffalo Alumni Hall.
1st
$200K
1,828+ AWARDED TO RSO NEW FACULTY WELCOME COMMITTEE INITIATIVE
VOLUNTEER HOURS LOGGED BY STAFF MEMBERS
