University of Central Arkansas

Thirty UCA students and two faculty members explored active volcanoes and toured a cloning lab as part of a study abroad trip to New Zealand.

The trip, led by Biology faculty member and New Zealand native Dr. J .D. Swanson, focused on the impact humans have on their environment. The group left for New Zealand May 8 for the 24-day study abroad trip.

This was UCA’s first trip to the South Pacific and the first College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics faculty led study abroad trip to a foreign country.

Visit UCA's YouTube page to hear more about the trip.

Dr. Gordon Shepherd, a professor of sociology at the University of Central Arkansas, will appear July 28 on Milt Rosenberg’s WGN radio program "Extension 720" to discuss his new book Talking with the Children of God: Prophecy and Transformation in a Radical Religious Group.

The book draws on face-to-face interviews with leaders and administrative staff of the radical religious movement now known as The Family International. It is co-authored by Gary Shepherd.

"Extension 720", based in Chicago, airs from 10 p.m. until midnight. Dr. Shepherd and Gary Shepherd will discuss the book during the first hour of the program. They will take listener phone calls in the second hour.

The program can be heard online at WGN radio's website. Click on Listen Now.

Academic deans and provosts from across the nation will gather next week at the University of Central Arkansas to discuss challenges facing higher education.

The 2010 National Conference of Academic Deans will be held July 29-31 at the Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center. The conference attracts 60 to 70 academic administrators annually, providing an ideal setting for informal discussions and networking.

This is the tenth consecutive year UCA has hosted the annual meeting. The theme for the 2010 conference is "Sustainablity in the Academy: Best Practices for Deans."

Michael Kaiser, president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, gave local nonprofit organizations advice on how to keep their arts programs profitable and exciting during tough economic times.

Kaiser participated in a question and answer session recently in the Reynolds Performance Hall. He addressed the challenges facing non-profit performing arts organizations such areas as fundraising, building more effective boards of trustees, budgeting and marketing.

His visit was part of the Arts In Crisis Tour. Arts in Crisis: A Kennedy Center Initiative helps art organizations remain viable. Kaiser started the initiative in February 2009.

Visit UCA's YouTube page to hear more.

The University of Central Arkansas Theatre has announced its line-up of productions for the 2010-2011 season.

The season opens with two productions in repertory, directed by senior Theatre majors Bradley Mancil of Harrison and Greg Antley of Conway.

The University of Central Arkansas will receive $24,134 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for scholarships for low-income students enrolled in the undergraduate nursing program.

Dr. Julie Meaux, associate professor in the Department of Nursing at the University of Central Arkansas, said the Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students program will provide financial assistance to students in the health professions who are economically disadvantaged.

“The additional money will allow us to provide larger scholarships and to provide assistance to more students,” she said.

The long wait is finally over for the University of Central Arkansas Athletic Department, which was notified this week by the NCAA that the school has achieved Division I Active Membership.

The notice from the NCAA concludes a five-year transition process for UCA’s administration, players coaches and fans. All UCA athletic teams will now be eligible for postseason play in both the Southland Conference and on the national level beginning this fall.

“We are thrilled and relieved to receive the news of our approval of active membership status at the NCAA Division I level,’ said Dr. Brad Teague, UCA Director of Athletics. “This has been a long process which has strengthened our awareness and implementation of Division I rules on governance, academics, diversity, and student-athlete well-being. These are all key principles of D-I athletics."

To recognize the completion of the reclassification process, the UCA Athletic Department will host a Division I active membership celebration reception at 4:30 p.m., Wednesday at Buffalo Alumni Hall on the UCA campus.

UCA Public Appearances will present its 2010-2011 season of 20 events, divided into four series and one special event, in Reynolds Performance Hall on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas.

The season offerings are divided into the Broadway Series, the Nostalgia Series, A Night Out at Reynolds Series, the UCA Distinguished Lectures and a special event concert by LeAnn Rimes.

Science teachers from more than 20 schools throughout Central Arkansas took part in professional development programs designed to spark students’ interest in science.

Thirty science teachers participated in a four-day program called “Science Lead Teacher Institute.” The session provided seven through tenth-grade science teachers hands-on, inquiry-oriented method of instruction.

Another program, called “Solar Exploration”, gave 20 science teachers lessons and labs on the solar system. The program looked at the formation history of the solar system, planetary geology, as well as the feasibility of a solar system exploration and habitation program.

Visit our YouTube site for the video.

Dr. Sally Roden has been appointed interim Vice President of Enrollment Management.

Roden, who has served as associate provost and dean of Undergraduate Studies, began the post on July 1. The Office of Financial Aid, the Office of Admissions, and University College will join the units of the former Division of Undergraduate Studies.

The Division of Enrollment Management will provide a more streamlined process for student recruitment, admission, enrollment, financial aid and scholarship, and scheduling of classes.