| University of Central Arkansas | |
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| Motto: | The Center of Learning |
| Established | 1907, as Arkansas State Normal School |
| Type: | Public University |
| President: | Lu Hardin |
| Students: | 12,619 (Fall 2007) |
| Location | Conway, Arkansas, 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, the seat of Faulkner County, north of Little Rock. 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.
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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.
Enrollment
In the September 19, 2007 edition of The Echo (campus newspaper), the fall 2007 enrollment was listed at 12,619. [2] In fall 2006, 12,330 students were enrolled at UCA. [3] 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. [4] In fall 2005, students come from 38 states and 55 countries. Full fall 2005 enrollment statistics can be found here.
Academics
The University has 6 distinct colleges offering over 75 majors.[5] These colleges are: The College of Business, 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. 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]
Drama and Theater Arts
The University of Central Arkansas is Arkansas's 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 theater 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 theater to audition before most of the theater 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 theater education and training as set forth by the Association. www.uca.edu/theatre
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 (American 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.
Fight Song
UCA Fight Song Go-Go-Fight Bears You will lead us on to victory Hey, go-fight-win team Bears will charge the field and never yield So, GO BEARS, GO! We've got the spir-it, and we'll show our colors Here tonight-so let's cheer The Purple and the Gray Team The Mighty BEARS will win the FIGHT!
Greek Life
Approximately 10% of UCA's students are members of one of the 20 Greek organizations hosted by the campus. Greek life was established on 1915. The organizations also devote thousands of man-hours and dollars to local charities each year. List of Greek Organizations at UCA Interfraternity Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Sigma Kappa, Sigma Tau Gamma, Sigma Nu, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and Phi Lambda Chi Panhellenic Council Alpha Sigma Alpha, Delta Zeta, Alpha Sigma Tau, Sigma Kappa, Sigma Sigma Sigma National Pan-Hellenic Council Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma, Iota Phi Theta, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Zeta Phi Beta Music Fraternities Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Mu Alpha, Sigma Alpha Iota, Tau Beta Sigma
Registered Student Organizations
The University is home to more than 200 registered student organizations, with more forming every year. Notable other RSO's include Young Democrats, College Libertarians, College Republicans, Student Council for Exceptional Children, PRISM, Business and Information Technology (BIT), Model UN, Campus Dialogue, Pre-Med Society, and a myriad of religious organizations. Also, there are minority-focused organizations such as Griot Society, Minority Mentorship, Students for the Propagation of Black Culture (SPBC), S.U.A.A.W., Black Men United (BMU)
External links
Administration & programs
- University of Central Arkansas
- UCA Sports
- UCA Honors College
- The Echo, the official UCA student newspaper
- UCA Bear Marching Band
Student organizations & outreach
- UCAfans.com, Where to talk about the Bears & Sugar Bears
- Nu Kappa Chapter of Kappa Sigma
- Epsilon Mu Chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity
- Lambda Phi Chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity
- AR Zeta Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon
- Theta Psi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
- Epsilon Xi Chapter of Delta Zeta Sorority
- Epsilon Pi Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha
- Baptist Collegiate Ministry
- UCA PRISM Gay-Straight Alliance
- Epsilon Beta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi Fraternity
- Gamma Tau Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma Sorority
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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 |
- University of Central Arkansas is at coordinates Coordinates:
