University of Arkansas at Monticello

The University of Arkansas at Monticello, formerly Arkansas Agricultural and Mechanical College, is part of the University of Arkansas System and serves as both a public four-year institution and a venue for vocational and technical education. It is located in Monticello, Arkansas. The University is governed by the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees, which also oversees the operation of institutions in Batesville, DeQueen, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Helena, Hope, Little Rock, Morrilton, and Pine Bluff. Its mascots are the Boll Weevils (men) and Cotton Blossoms (women). In addition to its prominence in forestry education (it is the only forestry school located in Arkansas; Monticello is located near the majority of Arkansas's timberlands), the speech and debate programs are nationally recognized. The Program was founded by Mr. R. David Ray in 1973 and is currently under the leadership of Scott Kuttenkuler. The UAM debate team is a member of the International Public Debate Association. This year the program won third place in the Founder’s Cup, an award presented to the top overall programs in IPDA. The students also continue to win many awards and achieve the degrees of highest distinction in Pi Kappa Delta, the national speech forensics honor society.

History

The University of Arkansas at Monticello was established in 1909 by act of the Arkansas General Assembly to serve the educational needs of Southeast Arkansas. Originally called the Fourth District Agricultural School, the University opened its doors September 14, 1910. In 1925, the General Assembly authorized the school's name to be changed to Arkansas Agricultural and Mechanical College. Arkansas A&M received accreditation as a junior college in 1928 and as a four-year institution in 1940. Arkansas A&M became part of the University of Arkansas system July 1, 1971. On July 1, 2003, UAM expanded its mission to include vocational and technical education when the UAM College of Technology-Crossett and the UAM College of Technology-McGehee became part of UAM to create a comprehensive system of postsecondary education in Southeast Arkansas.

Organization

UAM is composed of six distinct schools:

• UAM School of Business
• UAM School of Arts and Humanities
• UAM School of Education
• UAM School of Forest Resources (the only Forestry school in the State of Arkansas, and appropriately located in the timber-producing region of Arkansas)
• UAM School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences
• UAM School of Social and Behavioral Sciences

UAM also has four specialized college divisions:

• UAM Division of Agriculture
• UAM Division of Computer Information Systems
• UAM Division of Music
• UAM Division of Nursing

External links

• University of Arkansas at Monticello