University of Central Arkansas
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| Motto | The Center of Learning |
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| Established | 1907, as Arkansas State Normal School |
| Type | Public University |
| Chancellor | Lu Hardin |
| Students | 12,400 (Fall 2006) |
| Location | Conway, AR, USA |
| Campus | Co-educational; residential |
| Nickname | UCA Bears & Sugar Bears [1] |
| Website | www.uca.edu |
The University of Central Arkansas is a state-run institution located in the city of Conway, Arkansas. The school is most respected for its programs in Education, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy. It is also the home of the UCA Honors College as well as four Residential Colleges, and its most famous alumnus is former NBA star Scottie Pippen.
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[edit] History and Mission
The University of Central Arkansas is a public four-year institution founded in 1907 as the Arkansas State Normal School, changed to Arkansas State Teachers College in 1925, to State College of Arkansas in 1967 and finally to the University of Central Arkansas in 1975. The mission of the University of Central Arkansas is to maintain quality and to ensure that its programs remain current and responsive to the diverse needs of those it serves. The University is committed to the intellectual, social, and personal development of its students; the advancement of knowledge through excellence in teaching and research; and service to the community. The University of Central Arkansas is further dedicated to intellectual vitality, diversity, and integrity.
[edit] Enrollment
In fall 2006, 12,330 students were enrolled at UCA. [2] UCA's enrollment has increased by over 30% in the past five years and 46% over the past four years. In fall 2002, UCA had an enrollment of approximately 8,500. The fall 2006 enrollment sets another record enrollment and makes UCA the second largest college in Arkansas. [3] In fall 2005, students come from 38 states and 55 countries. Full fall 2005 enrollment statistics can be found here.
[edit] Academics
The University has 6 distinct colleges offering over 75 majors.[4] These colleges are: The College of Business and Administration, the College of Education, the College of Fine Arts and Communications, the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences, the College of Liberal Arts, and the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
UCA also has several notable graduate programs, centered around the Graduate School of Management, Leadership, and Administration (GSMLA). A complete list of graduate degrees can be found here: [5]
The university is famous for its innovative Honors College, which has received national recognition for its excellence. Small classes, distinguished faculty, TAG and URGE grants for students, high ACT and SAT scores, and outstanding medical and graduate school admission rates are hallmarks of the College. The Carnegie Foundation said the UCA Honors College was "One of the most widely imitated programs in the country," and former U.S. Secretary of Education Terrell Bell described the Honors College as being "An Ivy League education at a bargain basement price."[6]
In 2006, U.S. News & World Report ranked UCA 61st in the South in academic excellence. This marks the first year that UCA has been ranked. UCA was the only public Arkansas university in that category. [7]
[edit] Drama and Theatre Arts
The University of Central Arkansas is Arkansas' premiere dramatic school. The program promotes active student involvement in all areas of production including acting, stage management, scenery, costumes, lights, sound, props, and management. The theatre program participates annually in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival and has walked away with numerous awards. UCA also holds the annual Arkansas High School Audition Day which is a chance for any High School senior interested in majoring in theatre to audition before most of the theatre programs in the state of Arkansas. Also, UCA Theatre is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre. This accreditation assures students and parents that the UCA Theatre program meets professional standards of quality in Theatre education and training as set forth by the Association. http://www.uca.edu/theatre/
[edit] Athletics
The University of Central Arkansas participates in 14 NCAA Division I Varsity Sports and one I-AA (football), supported by the efforts of a diverse group of over 300 male and female student-athletes. Its men's teams are called the Bears and the women's are the Sugar Bears.
UCA presently competes in seven men's sports (football, basketball, baseball, soccer, golf, cross country and track) and eight women's sports (basketball, softball, volleyball, soccer, tennis, golf, cross country and track).
From 1993 to 2006, UCA competed in the West Division of the Gulf South Conference. In 2005-2006, UCA's men's athletic teams won the conference's All Sports Trophy. However, on July 1, 2006, UCA moved to the Southland Conference, which is Division I-AA in football and Division I in all other sports. UCA plans to be a full Division I member by September 10, 2010.
Prior to moving to Division II, UCA competed in NAIA Division I for most sports, winning the national football championship three times (1984 {co-champs}, 1985 {co-champs} and 1991) and finishing runner-up once (1976). A number of former Bears have found success in the NFL, including Landon Trusty, Willie Davis, Tyree Davis, Dave Burnette, Curtis Burrow, Andre Collins, David Evans, and most notably Monte Coleman.
The most famous athlete in school history is unquestionably Scottie Pippen.
[edit] Fight Song
UCA Fight Song
Go-Go-Fight Bears
You will lead us on to victory
Hey, go-go-win team
Bears will charge the field and never yield
So, FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!
We've got the spir-it, and we'll show our colors
Here tonight-so let's cheer
The Purple and the Gray Team
Mighty BEARS will win the FIGHT (Go Bears!)
[edit] Greek Life
Approximately 10% of UCA's students are members of one of the 20 Greek organizations hosted by the campus. Most other student organizations, including Student Government, The Bear Den, and the Student Orientation Staff, are led and comprised mainly of Greek students. These groups are dedicated to academics and community service. The organizations also devote thousands of man-hours and dollars to local charities each year.
[edit] Registered Student Organizations
The University is home to more than 200 registered student organizations, with more forming every year.
Notable other RSO's include Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, Young Democrats, College Republicans, PRISM, Serving Central Arkansas Together (SCAT), Campus Dialogue, Pre-Med Society, and a myriad of religious organizations.
[edit] Student Government Association
It shall represent the student body adequately at all times and in all circumstances, in areas such as: allocating and administrating student activity funds; advising the administration in regard to student-related policies; cooperating with faculty in determining student obligations and honors; considering all student petitions to SGA; planning and supervising all SGA elections; and approving charters or cancellations of college clubs and organizations.
SGA is composed of an Executive Board (President, Vice-President, VP of Operations, VP Finance), Class Presidents and Vice-Presidents (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior), and 5 class representatives from each class, and 5 Senators-at-Large.
SGA is also in charge of allocating the student activity fee.
Maximiliano Carranza, also a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, is currently serving his second year as President.
[edit] External links
[edit] Administration & programs
- University of Central Arkansas
- UCA Sports
- UCA Honors College
- The Echo, the official UCA student newspaper
[edit] Student organizations & outreach
- UCA PRISM Gay-Straight Alliance
- Serving Central Arkansas Together (SCAT)
- Nu Kappa Chapter of Kappa Sigma
- Epsilon Mu Chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity
- Lambda Phi Chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity
- Epsilon Pi Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha
- AR Zeta Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon
- Theta Psi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
- Epsilon Xi Chapter of Delta Zeta Sorority
- Baptist Collegiate Ministry
| Southland Conference |
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| Central Arkansas • Lamar • McNeese State • Nicholls State • Northwestern State • Sam Houston State • Southeastern Louisiana • Stephen F. Austin • Texas–Arlington • Texas–San Antonio • Texas A&M–Corpus Christi • Texas State |
