By Andrew Tucker
College of Fine Arts and Communication Media Office

“Lungs,” a smart, funny drama by Duncan MacMillan, will be performed in the Snow Fine Arts Center’s Bridges Larson Theatre on the University of Central Arkansas campus at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21, 22 and 28 and March 1. There will also be performances at 2 p.m. Feb. 23 and March 2.

This production, presented by UCA Theatre, will be directed by Rebekah Scallet, producing artistic director of the Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre and lecturer in the UCA Theatre Program.

One of the unique challenges in directing “Lungs” is that the author explicitly states that there should be no scenery, props or sound cues in the show.

“He also has written it in such a way that the play jumps through time, from scene to scene, location to location, with nothing but the actors’ language to tell you that something has changed,” Scallet said. “It makes for an interesting challenge — we can’t depend upon the typical tricks of the theatre like set changes, sound cues or even projections to tell people what’s happening — the actors have to do it all.”

“Lungs” is a two-person show that follows a couple through the surprising life cycle of their relationship as they grapple with betrayal, happenstance and the pain that can only be caused by the people you love.

“This show is so intimate, it’s almost like our two characters are experiencing their relationship together with the audience,” said Christopher Millham, a freshman theatre major and an actor in the play. “There are some parts of the show where you see bits of a relationship that a typical couple would hide from the outside world, but the audience sees it all, and because of that, I feel like everyone will grow close with the characters and relate better to them.”

Tickets are $10 per person for the general public. UCA faculty, staff and students may secure two tickets for free with a current UCA I.D. Tickets are available through UCA Ticket Central located in the Reynolds Performance Hall Box Office from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday or by calling (501) 450-3265. The general public may purchase tickets online at uca.edu/tickets.

For more information, contact Melissa Pearson at (501) 450-5092 or melissap@uca.edu.

The UCA College of Fine Arts and Communication includes the Departments of Art, Music, and Film, Theatre and Creative Writing, as well as the School of Communication. The college’s primary mission is the preparation of the next generation of artists, educators and communicators. For more information about CFAC, visit uca.edu/cfac or call (501) 450-3293.

Sam Koffi speaks with UCA students during his visit.

Samuel Koffi, vice president and chief operating officer at the International University of Grand-Bassam, Ivory Coast, visited the University of Central Arkanas Jan. 31 to Feb. 1 to meet with students from the Ivory Coast who are studying at UCA.

With 59 students in the spring 2019 semester, the Ivory Coast ranks second in the number of international students enrolled at UCA.

During his campus visit, Koffi met with Micheal Hargis, dean of the College of Business; Clay Arnold, chair of the Department of Political Science; and Gizachew Tiruneh, associate professor in the Department of Political Science. The group discussed various ways that faculty members from UCA and IUGB might collaborate further in the areas of research and teaching.

Phillip Bailey, associate vice president for International Engagement at UCA and Sonia Toudji, associate professor of history, met with the IUGB administration on Jan. 21, 2019 in the Ivory Coast, as part of a two-week recruitment trip that spanned four countries in Africa. IUGB officials and Bailey discussed renewing a memorandum of understanding that has been active for the past three years, allowing hundreds of Ivorian students to transfer to UCA to continue their undergraduate studies after completing their associate degrees at IUGB. Some students stay longer to pursue graduate study at UCA.

IUGB was founded in 2001 with four students in the first term. In spring 2019 they have over 800 students, and last year they began offering four-year degree programs in computer science, math, business and political science. The university is a self-professed American-style university offering all its courses in English. International University of Grand-Bassam has plans to build a new campus on 130 acres and is striving to become the leading English language university in French-speaking West Africa. For more information, visit iugb.org.

By Andrew Tucker
College of Fine Arts and Communication Media Office

One of the great stories of female empowerment and resilience, “Steel Magnolias” will come to the University of Central Arkansas’s Reynolds Performance Hall on Feb.  22 at 7:30 p.m.

The show is produced by L.A. Theatre Works, which has reimagined this timeless story about the enduring bonds of friendship in a new, radio-style production featuring a diverse cast of six extraordinary women. Within the walls of Truvy’s beauty shop, set in the deep Bayou of Louisiana, the vibrant women’s lives hinge on the existence of each other. They gather together to share gossip, laughter, recipes and beauty secrets. When tragedy strikes, they face it with sass and strength, supporting each other through thick and thin and forging a life-long bond.  Both laugh-out-loud funny and deeply touching, this production exposes the strength of the human condition and our shared need for companionship. The cast includes Inger Tudor, Elisa Bocanegra, Shannon Holt, Monica McSwain, Cerris Morgan-Moyer and Patti Yasutake, who is also known for her roles on “Star Trek: Next Generation,” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and more.

L.A. Theatre Works is known for radio-style drama presentations that include minimal sets and costumes, and employ sound effects made the “old-fashioned way” by use of a Foley artist.

“This is an exciting opportunity to see theatre presented in a different style, said Amanda Horton, director of Reynolds Performance Hall. “Radio-style productions are one of the oldest forms of theatre, dating all the way back to the 1800s. You will get to see the actors as well as the Foley artist who creates all of the special audio effects with traditional and non-traditional instruments.”

“Steel Magnolias” was written by Robert Harling, who after years of productive work as an actor in voice-overs and commercials in New York was inspired to write the highly acclaimed stage play, which was based on events from his personal life. Harling adapted his original play into the popular film of the same title, which starred Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, Dolly Parton and Daryl Hannah. Over the years, he has become a much sought-after screenwriter. Other credits, to name a few, include “Soapdish” and “First Wives Club.”

Tickets are $30-$40 for adults and $10 for children and students and can be purchased online at uca.edu/Reynolds; at the Reynold’s Box Office Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; or by calling UCA Ticket Central at (501) 450-3265 or ttoll-free at (866) 810-0012.

The UCA College of Fine Arts and Communication includes the Departments of Art, Music, and Film, Theatre and Creative Writing, as well as the School of Communication. The college’s primary mission is the preparation of the next generation of artists, educators and communicators. For more information about CFAC, visit uca.edu/cfac or call (501) 450-3293.

The Arkansas Coding Academy (ArCA) – a program of the Division of Outreach and Community Engagement at the University of Central Arkansas – and the City of Fayetteville will host a press conference at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 5 to celebrate the opening of a new ArCA campus in northwest Arkansas.

The press conference will take place on the steps of the Fayetteville Town Center at 15 W. Mountain St. The Walker Room in the Fayetteville Public Library at 401 W. Mountain Street is the rain location.

Speakers at the press conference will include Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan, UCA President Dr. Houston Davis, UCA Associate Vice President of the Division of Outreach and Community Engagement Dr. Shaneil Ealy, and ArCA graduate Kellby Hudson.

For more information, please contact Director of ArCA Mary Condit, at (501) 450-5276 or mdunlap@uca.edu.

Established in 2016, the Arkansas Coding Academy strives to create a talent pipeline from the classroom to the workforce for individuals seeking careers in programming, information technology or software development. It seeks to equip students with the skills needed to gain employment and succeed. The program currently has a total of 80 graduates and an 82 percent job-placement rate for students, upon program completion.

The Arkansas Coding Academy is part of the Division of Outreach and Community Engagement at the University of Central Arkansas and has partnerships with various organizations such as Acxiom, the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services, Innovate Arkansas and a host of other companies across the state.

For ArCA enrollment information, please visit arkansascodingacademy.com or email arcoding@uca.edu.

By Marquitta J. Corbin
College of Fine Arts and Communication Media Office

The University of Central Arkansas will host the Tuba and Euphonium Ensembles Concert in the Snow Fine Arts Center Recital Hall on March 6. The event is free and open to the public and will begin at 7:30 p.m.

The concert will feature the full 23-member UCA Tuba and Euphonium Ensemble (also known as the Tuba-Euphonium Krewe) and the newly formed Basso Gruppetto. The Basso Gruppetto is a smaller eight-to-10-member ensemble that performs music that is often more difficult to play and is better suited for fewer players.

The large ensemble has 20 music majors and three non-majors. Jonathan Huggins, a freshman from North Little Rock; Abagail Claussen, a freshman from Maumelle; and Grayson Mixon, a freshman from Cabot, are the non-music majors.

The Tuba-Euphonium Ensembles will perform a variety of works that have all been composed or arranged by Dr. Gail Robertson, UCA assistant professor of tuba and euphonium/jazz.

The program will include “Harry Potter’s Tuba Escapade,” “America the Beautiful,” “From Russia with Love” from the James Bond movie, and a space medley that includes the music from “Superman,” “The Black Hole, “Star Trek,” “Star Wars” and “E.T.”

Also performed will be original compositions that Robertson wrote for the ensemble, such as “In a Funk” and “Okto Flourish.” “America the Beautiful” will be conducted by senior music education major Caleb Taylor from Fort Smith.

For more information, contact Robertson at grobertson@uca.edu or (501) 450-5760.

The UCA College of Fine Arts and Communication includes the Departments of Art, Music, and Film, Theatre and Creative Writing, as well as the School of Communication. The college’s primary mission is the preparation of the next generation of artists, educators and communicators. For more information about CFAC, visit uca.edu/cfac or call (501) 450-3293.

The University of Central Arkansas will host The Big Event Saturday, March 9 throughout Conway.

UCA students organize The Big Event, which allows students, faculty and staff come together to give back to the Conway community through volunteer service.

The Big Event, which began at Texas A&M University in 1982, has spread to colleges and universities throughout the nation. This event, which takes place each spring semester, is an opportunity for students to serve the community that supports them year round.

“We look forward to this annual tradition as an opportunity to get out, rain or shine, and meet some of our neighbors who make this such a wonderful community in which to live and learn,” said Dr. Lesley Graybeal, director of service-learning in the Division of Outreach and Community Engagement at UCA.

Now in its sixth year at UCA, The Big Event has grown every year. This year, the student-led organizing committee has recruited more than 100 projects from Conway residents and nonprofit organizations, along with 950 volunteers to go out into the community and serve.

Student “team leaders” will work with committee members to visit each project site and to lead a group of volunteers on the big day. Volunteers will complete a variety of indoor and outdoor tasks for Conway organizations and residents, ranging from raking leaves, spreading mulch, painting and minor repairs, to organizing donated goods, participating in games and activities with senior citizens or completing other proposed projects.

For more information, contact Graybeal at (501) 852-7416 or lgraybeal@uca.edu; or Rachel Carmical, Big Event Job Coordinator, at (501) 425-3372 or ucabejobs@gmail.com. More details about The Big Event can also be found at ucaledu/go/bigevent.

Lou Holtz

By Braxton Sampley
College of Fine Arts and Communication Media Office

Legendary football coach and ESPN analyst Lou Holtz will speak at Reynolds Performance Hall on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas on Thursday, March 7 at 7:30 p.m.

Holtz has established himself as one of the most successful college football coaches of all time.  He is the only coach in history to have six different teams play in a bowl game, win five bowl games with different teams, and to have four different teams ranked within the Top 20 Poll. During his 26 seasons as a collegiate head coach he coached six different football teams, including: The College of William & Mary, North Carolina State University, University of Arkansas, University of Minnesota, University of Notre Dame and University of South Carolina. He completed his coaching career with a record of 249-132-7 and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.

After his coaching career, Holtz became a college football studio analyst on ESPN. He was featured on “ESPNews,” “SportsCenter” and “College Game Day.” He was also an on-site analyst for college football games. He is currently with SiriusXM Radio as a co-host for two sports programs: a year-round golf show entitled, “Holtz in One” and two weekly college football shows that air during college football season.

Holtz is also a distinguished author of three New York Times best-sellers: “The Fighting Spirit,” “Winning Everyday: A Game Plan for Success” and the autobiographical “Wins, Losses and Lessons.”

For many years, Lou Holtz has been considered among the greatest speaking legends in America. He has built a reputation as a motivator, a demanding disciplinarian and someone who relishes challenges and hard work.

“Lou Holtz is a legend in the sports world, and we are honored to have him share his inspirational story to the UCA students and Central Arkansas community,” said Amanda Horton, director of Reynolds Performance Hall. “We are also very excited he will be scheduling some time to share his knowledge and wisdom with some of our student-athletes.”

Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children and students. UCA students get in free. Tickets can be purchased online at uca.edu/Reynolds, at the Reynolds Box Office Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., or by calling UCA Ticket Central at (501) 450-3265, or toll-free at (866) 810-0012.

The UCA College of Fine Arts and Communication includes the Departments of Art, Music, and Film, Theatre and Creative Writing, as well as the School of Communication. The college’s primary mission is the preparation of the next generation of artists, educators and communicators. For more information about CFAC, visit uca.edu/cfac or call (501) 450-3293.

The Faulkner County affiliate of the Arkansas Community Foundation and the University of Central Arkansas Service-Learning Program are partnering to offer an informational session for community members who are interested in nonprofit board service.

The session will take place on Thursday, Feb. 28 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at UCA Downtown, located at 1105 W. Oak St. in Conway. A panel of board members and executive directors will share their experiences with and expectations of board service in order to help participants learn how to make an impact in the community as a successful board member.

“Having an engaged, informed board is vital to the long-term effectiveness of any nonprofit,” said Shelley Mehl, executive director of the Arkansas Community Foundation/Faulkner County. “This session can provide the groundwork for organizations to evaluate and select just such board members. It will also help anyone interested in serving on a board understand the importance of his or her role.”

Panelists include Kristy Carter, director of marketing for Outreach and Community Engagement at UCA and Bethlehem House board member; Phillip Fletcher, executive director of City of Hope Outreach; Don Greenland, vice chair/strategic growth officer for Nabholz and current vice chair of the Arkansas Community Foundation State board; Maret Cahill Wicks, executive director of United Way of Central Arkansas; and Kim Williams, executive director of the Conway Downtown Partnership.

This session is free and open to the public. Interested participants can register online by visiting uca.edu/outreach/nonprofits or by calling Graybeal at (501) 852-7416.

The University of Central Arkansas Division of Outreach and Community Engagement is pleased to provide a variety of free classes to the community through its community education program. These classes are designed for the public to enjoy and connect with the university at no cost.

“Our community education courses cater to the unique needs and desires of our community,” said Reuel Shepherd, director of programs and services. “We pride ourselves in making these courses available throughout the year so that everyone has an opportunity to learn something new.”

Some of the free community education classes include “How to Start a New Business,” “Managing Food Addiction,” “Financing a Home Loan,” “First-Time Homebuyers,” “Estates, Wills and Trusts” and many others. All community education classes are taught by reputable instructors with credentials, professional experiences and recognized achievements in their fields of study.

UCA Outreach and Community Engagement also provides a selection of quality, lifelong learning opportunities to the community, including online training and certificate programs.

Registration for community education is available online at uca.edu/outreach/classes or by calling (501) 450-3118.

Doctoral students in the Department of Psychology and Counseling in the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences earned a 100 percent match rate for internships. The internship match system is a competitive process similar to that for medical residencies. These are the doctoral students and their internship locations.

Counseling Psychology

Lilli-Anna Baca – University of Arkansas Counseling and Psychological Services (Fayetteville, Arkansas)
Hannah Horn – Veterans Healthcare System of The Ozarks (Fayetteville, Arkansas)
Amy Hufstedler – Alaska VA Healthcare System (Anchorage, Alaska)

School Psychology

Taylor Black – High Plains Psychology Internship Consortium (Greeley, Colorado)
Ann Branscum – University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center (Albuquerque, New Mexico)

The University of Central Arkansas has set Thursday, March 7, as the date for its fifth annual Day of Giving – a 24-hour fundraising drive in which alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students and friends are challenged to make a gift of any amount to support UCA’s students, its campus and the surrounding community.

Last year, the university raised an unprecedented $434,526, which set a statewide fundraising record for the most dollars raised in a 24-hour Day of Giving fundraising event.

“Last year’s success shows that our donors and community partners understand the impact UCA graduates have across the state, region and beyond,” said Dr. Kale Gober, vice president of University Advancement. “Through their continued engagement, this Day of Giving will be another great success, and students’ lives will continue to be transformed through their generosity.”

When giving online at uca.edu/dayofgiving, donors are able to select and give to specific funds among the categories of student, campus and community impact.

“This special day allows members of the UCA community to demonstrate their support for those areas that are most meaningful to them,” said Lauren Norris, director of Annual Giving.

“We want to make a big impact in 24 hours. We want to grant students opportunities that will make lasting impressions on their experience at UCA and change their lives,” added Norris. “Day of Giving will touch all aspects of student life.”

Student impact fund donations will provide students with scholarships and student support services such as the Bear Essentials Food Pantry.

Campus impact funds support faculty and student research projects, as well as service-learning opportunities and state-of-the-art equipment.

Community impact funds offer experiential opportunities, as well as guest lecturers, first-class exhibits and performances on campus that are available to the larger communities of Conway, Faulkner County and central Arkansas. This includes Reynolds Performance Hall events, Outreach and Community Engagement programs, Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre and the Conductor, for example.

Many departments have identified giving partners that will match individual gifts dollar for dollar, thus doubling the impact of certain donations.

Additionally, numerous student groups will host donation stations across the campus, where they will collect donations and celebrate Day of Giving and the impact it has on fellow students.

For more information, visit uca.edu/dayofgiving or call (501) 852-2743.

The University of Central Arkansas Office of Diversity and Community will host the 2019 Alley Scholars Summit on Saturday, March 2, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the McCastlain Hall Ballroom on the UCA campus. The theme of the event will be “How to merge entrepreneurship and technology into success – Thinking outside the box in the New Age.”

The Alley Scholars Summit brings together select minority students from colleges and universities across the nation to participate in leadership development workshops and networking activities. Students are chosen for the program based on their strong academic credentials, active campus involvement, and demonstrated leadership, problem-solving and strong verbal and written communication skills.

“Too often, historically underrepresented students do not have access to networking beyond their everyday circles,” said Dr. Angela Webster, associate vice president for institutional diversity and inclusion at UCA. “The Alley Scholars Summit serves as a boundary spanner that affords students with rich opportunities for professional networking. For this, we are grateful.”

The event’s keynote speaker will be Jonathon Oudthone, founder & president of NGAGE Esports, a creative broadcast and events management company that specializes in brand activation and fan engagement in Esports (organized video game competitions). Oudthone has led Infinite Esports & Entertainment’s events management and broadcast production arm since 2009. He has also served as the Broadcast Director for some of the largest events in competitive gaming. Currently, he is the project lead for the development of the Arlington, Texas Esports Stadium.

During the event, students will also participate in the Alley Scholars Innovation Challenge, which is a case-study focused on business plan development and social entrepreneurship. Students are paired into teams with other participants and academic/business professionals to generate solutions to real-world business problems. The challenge will culminate with students presenting solutions to a panel of experts and venture capitalists. Prizes will be awarded.

The Alley Scholars is a nonprofit organization that assists deserving minority students with their education and career goals by providing scholarships, networking and career opportunities. Learn more at alleyscholars.com.

The Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion serves to help UCA become Arkansas’ premiere university for diversity and inclusive excellence. The mission of the UCA Office of Diversity and Community is to provide multiple support services to enhance the academic success of students from underrepresented populations in higher education, and to create an inclusive campus community. Both offices promote student success through retention-focused programs, mentoring, leadership development opportunities and life skills enrichment. Learn more at uca.edu/diversity.

For more information, contact Webster at (501) 450-3135 or awebster@uca.edu. For a complete event agenda, click here.

Scupltor Gary Keenan carving Valor I during his campus visit in 2013.

Beginning Monday, March 4, sculptor Gary Keenan will use chainsaws to carve a white oak tree trunk on the UCA campus into a life-sized bear. The sculpture will be located in front of Wingo Hall, welcoming visitors and students to campus.

Keenan expects to begin carving around midday on March 4 and will carve all day on March 5 and 6. He plans to complete the carving by the end of the day on Thursday, March 7.

School classes and community members are invited to attend and watch Keenan. Bleacher seating will be available on the lawn near Wingo Hall, and hot cocoa will be provided.

“Thanks to the generosity of several donors, we are able to replace the much-loved Valor with a more disease-, weather- and bug-resistant sculpture, said UCA President Houston Davis. “We are excited to invite local school groups and the community to join us for this unique experience.”

“Valor II” replaces the original “Valor I” bear sculpture that was erected in front of Wingo Hall in the spring of 2013. Valor I was carved from one of UCA’s World War II red oak Memorial Trees that had to be cut due to disease and rot. Unfortunately, the sculpture continued to deteriorate to a point that remediation could not be done. Valor I was retired in 2017 and removed from campus to mitigate safety issues with the structure.

Keenan, an accomplished artist from Des Moines, Iowa, has carved animals, people, plants, and objects for individuals and groups throughout the United States and in Europe. In 2007, he was invited to participate in the “Sculptree” at the Festival of the Tree in England. Only 20 wood sculptors were invited, and Keenan was the only American. For more information about Keenan, visit carvingbykeenan.com.

See a time-lapse video of Keenan carving Valor I here.

RSVP to visit campus during the carving by contacting Amanda Hoelzeman, director of media relations, at (501) 852-2659 or ahoelzeman@uca.edu.

John Murphy

An interview featuring Dr. John Murphy, professor of psychology and counseling, will be featured on the international podcast series, “Solution-Focused on Tour.” The podcast will air in March.

European practitioners Elfie Czerny and Dominik Godat host the podcast. The two interviewed Murphy in February, and they visited Murphy’s Psychoeducational Interventions II class while in Conway. To see the podcast series, visit http://www.sfontour.com/

Wolfram Hoppenstedt

The University of Central Arkansas Division of International Engagement will welcome Dr. Wolfram Hoppenstedt, director of the Federal Chancellor Willy Brandt Foundation in Germany, and a former UCA exchange student, for a talk on the UCA campus.

Hoppenstedt will give a lecture on “America, Europe and Germany — Bonds That Cannot Be Severed” on Wednesday, March 13, at 3 p.m. in the College of Business Auditorium. The talk and a subsequent Q&A is free and open to UCA faculty and staff, students, and the general public.

A native of Conway’s German sister city Quakenbrück, the historian will focus on post-war transatlantic relations, as well as differences between our cultures and the current crisis in Europe. He will also discuss how former West German Chancellor Willy Brandt, in the long run, paved the way for German reunification and the strengthening and enlargement of the European Union.

In 1988 and again in 1991, Hoppenstedt was awarded a work-study assistantship, thanks to a sister city agreement between Conway and Quakenbrück, Germany. He completed his master’s degree at UCA in 1992 and, two years later, obtained his Ph.D. at the University of Bamberg, Bavaria. His dissertation was about the German-American economist Gerhard Colm (1897-1968), who, inter alia, served as economic advisor to President Harry Truman. In 1994, he started his career as an expert with the Federal Office for Refugees in Nuremberg. In early 1996, he was appointed as founding director of the Chancellor Willy Brandt Foundation.

The Chancellor Willy Brandt Foundation is a non-partisan institution in Germany that serves to commemorate the Social-Democrat politician, outstanding statesman and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. It is one of six memorial foundations for outstanding German statesmen, and it exercises the same task as a presidential library in the US.

Not only in Germany, but all over Europe, the name Willy Brandt is synonymous with democracy and freedom, understanding between nations and peace, justice, solidarity and social responsibility.

As part of his visit, Hoppenstedt will also meet his colleagues at the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock for an exchange and will visit Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site.

For more information, contact Mehmet Ulupina, international partnership coordinator, Division of International Engagement at mehmetu@uca.edu or (501) 852-0971.

Jared Matheney sings the national anthem at a Boston Celtics game.

Jarod Matheney, assistant director for the HPER Center at the University of Central Arkansas, sang the national anthem before a Boston Celtics game earlier this month.

In front of a crowd of more than 18,000 basketball fans, Matheney sang The Star-Spangled Banner before the Celtics played the LA Clippers.

This was Matheney’s second time singing before an NBA crowd. He also sang in November 2017 prior to a New Orleans Pelicans game in New Orleans. Matheney graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sport science.

Dr. Howard Groth directs the Arkansas Schoolmarms in 1960. Photo courtesy of the UCA Archives.

The Howard Groth Vocal Performance Award has been renamed as the Howard and Helen Groth, Cathey Maxey Groth Vocal Performance Award. The late Cathey Groth ’72 and Bill Groth ’74, of Germantown, Tennessee, initially established the fund in 1984 in honor of the late Dr. Howard Groth, a UCA professor from 1950-75. The late Helen Groth ’68 received an MSE from the University of Central Arkansas and retired as assistant director of juvenile services for the state of Arkansas.

Dr. Groth joined Arkansas State Teachers College in 1950 and served as chair of the Department of Music from 1957-1970. He retired from the university in 1975.

In addition, Bill Groth and sons Max Groth of Brooklyn, New York, and Bennett Groth of Memphis, Tennessee, have endowed the Howard and Helen Groth, Cathey Maxey Groth Special Education Scholarship Award.

Alumni, former students and friends who desire to contribute to these funds are welcome to do so by contributing to the UCA Foundation Howard and Helen Groth Fund, Cathey Maxey Groth Fund or the Cathey Maxey Groth Special Education Award at uca.edu/giving/.

WHO:
Moderators:

• Debra Hale-Shelton, reporter, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
• Kelly Sublett, publisher, Log Cabin Democrat
• Heather Yates, assistant professor of political science, UCA

Panelists:

• Mayor of Conway, Bart Castleberry
• Rep. Spencer Hawks
• Rep. Steve Magie
• Rep. Stephen Meeks
• Sen. Jason Rapert

WHAT: Women’s Leadership Network Political Roundup

WHEN:   6-8 p.m., Monday, March 4

WHERE: University of Central Arkansas, Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center

DETAILS: The University of Central Arkansas Women’s Leadership Network and Division of Outreach and Community Engagement will host a political panel, which will include a presentation by Conway Mayor Bart Castleberry, moderator Q&A sessions and opening comments from Arkansas state legislators.

The discussion will center around the current Arkansas legislative session and Conway legislative actions, with a focus on public policies that impact women and children. Members of the media are encouraged to attend.

This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. RSVP online at uca.edu/outreach/women.

The University of Central Arkansas was recognized by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District IV during the annual CASE conference in February.

The University Marketing and Communications office received one gold and two silver awards during the awards ceremony held Feb. 28.

A gold award was given in the “Writing-Medical/Scientific Feature” category for the UCA Magazine story Women in Stem: HonoRED InspiRED EmpoweRED. The writer for that story was Fredricka Sharkey, director of communications.

A silver award was given in the “Color Photography-Athletics” category for the photograph “Football Player Running onto Field.” Seth Foley, photographer, shot the photo.

A silver award was given in the “Design-Annual or President’s Report” category for the “UCA Annual Report 2017-18.” Michelle Standridge, graphic designer/project manager, designed the publication.

CASE is a membership association serving educational institutions and the advancement professionals who work on their behalf in alumni relations, communications, development, marketing and allied areas. CASE helps its members build stronger relationships with their alumni and donors, raise funds for campus projects, produce recruitment materials, market their institutions to prospective students, diversify the profession, and foster public support of education.

CASE District IV is the chapter of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education representing 2904 members from 261 institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. It was formally incorporated on July 10, 1975.

Students of the Inaugural Black History Month Art Show. Top row, from left to right: Adrienne Thompson II, Monika Cunningham, Sidney McCoy and Bobby Miller. Seated on the bottom row from left to right: Brandy Lucas, Louise Mandumbwa, Ayana Williams and Alexis Claiborne. Not pictured are Martin Balsam, Trevor Dyson and Kaleigh Thomas.

By Darian Burks
Division of Outreach and Community Engagement

The University of Central Arkansas Division of Outreach and Community Engagement will celebrate Black History Month with an inaugural Black History Month Art Show from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, March 8, at UCA Downtown. Opening remarks begin at 5:30 p.m.

This exhibit will feature the artwork of UCA’s phenomenal student artists of black and/or African descent, while commemorating Black History Month. The exhibit will be on display from noon-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, through mid-March. The gallery and event are free to attend and open to the public.

While February is traditionally celebrated as Black History Month, these UCA student artists agree that one month is not enough – that black history should be celebrated year-round.

“I don’t like to look at it as negative or sad. The reflection to me is more celebration or recognizing this is who we are, this is where we came from, this is for what we have fought and are still fighting for to this day,” said Monika Cunningham, featured student artist.

Cunningham is from Nassau, Bahamas, and came to the United States to pursue degrees in fine arts and marketing. “Back home, art isn’t seen as something serious or something you should do as a career,” she said. She focuses on the concept ‘art heals.’ “Most of my best work, from what I’ve been told, was from hard times in my life. Just find the area that you are passionate about that gives you a relief, and capitalize [on] that, because it can help you so much in terms of just being happy,” she said.

Another featured student artist, Trevor Dyson, celebrates black history by highlighting black inspiration and accomplishment. “I like to reminisce on the black inspirations from the past decades and our ancestors, to just shine a light on the black people and our accomplishments,” he said.

Dyson has not always been interested in art. His grandfather was an artist, which inspired him. “I like to be part of something bigger than myself,” he said.

Sidney McCoy, another featured student artist, has been involved with art for most of his life. But when he graduated high school, he wasn’t really sure what to do. He went to community college and debated between architecture and graphic design. “If you love art, then you are going to do it, regardless,” he said. He is now pursuing a BFA in studio art with an emphasis in graphic design.

Like others, McCoy believes recognition of black history should not be confined to one month. “We should be talking more about these figures all year round, and we shouldn’t wait for one month,” he said.

For more information, contact Kristy Carter, director of marketing for the Division of Outreach and Community Engagement, at kcarter@uca.edu, (501) 450-3118 or visit uca.edu/downtown/blackhistorymonth2019/.

Featured Student Artists and their Artworks

Martin Balsam, junior graphic design major from Little Rock
“Failed Commission Attempt,” 2018
“Self Portrait,” 2018

Alexis Claiborne, junior graphic design major from Nashville, Ark.
“My Beautiful is Black,” 2019

Monika Anne Cunningham, junior fine arts and marketing major from Nassau, Bahamas
“Origins,” 2014
“Prayer Changes Things,” 2014
“Raging Confusion,” 2014
“Worry Not,” 2016

Trevor Dyson, junior criminology major and art minor from Dallas, Texas
“Life After Death,” 2018
“My Beautiful Story,” 2018

Brandy Lucas, freshman art education major and creative writing minor from North Little Rock, Ark.
“Land of the Free,” 2018
“Natural Beauty,” 2019

Louise Mandumbwa, senior bachelor of fine arts candidate majoring in painting from Botswana, South Africa
“Daughters,” 2017
“Mame,” 2018
“Yannis Davy,” 2019

Sidney McCoy, senior studio art major from North Little Rock, Ark.
“Day Dreamers,” 2018
“Oblivious,” 2018

Bobby Miller, junior art major from Conway, Ark.
“Censorship,” 2018
“My Mother,” 2018

Kaleigh Monet Thomas, freshman art major from Little Rock
“Giraffe,” 2018
“Native Justice,” 2018

Adrienne Thompson II, senior art major with a minor in Chinese and Honors Interdisciplinary Studies from Pine Bluff, Ark.
“Hair Care,” 2017
“Hand,” 2017
“Three Portraits,” 2017

Ayana Williams, senior psychology major and art minor from Morrilton, Ark.
“A Sip of Soul,” 2018
“Broken Heart,” 2018