University of Central Arkansas

Conway accountant pledges $25,000 to UCA College of Business Conway
CPA Michael J. Rasmussen made a $25,000 pledge to the University of Central Arkansas Centennial Campaign. He directed his gift to the university's College of Business in support of scholarships and the colleges new $16 million building. A portion of his gift will support the Accounting Partner scholarship fund for students studying in the master of accountancy program within the UCA College of Business.

The remainder of his gift will support the new 78,000-square-foot College of Business building, which is under construction, located behind Wingo Hall, facing Donaghey. The new building will include a 168-seat auditorium, eight tiered lecture halls, two flat classrooms, two computer labs, and 61 faculty offices. Additionally the new building will feature numerous conference rooms, a graduate lounge, and space for each of the college's centers and institutes. The building is scheduled to open in the spring.

Rasmussen is president of Rasmussen Tax Group, a team of industry specialists empowering restaurant owners to have more personal time, grow their business and be more profitable through innovative technology and personalized service that simplifies tax planning, accounting and business solutions. Rasmussen Tax Group has created a high-tech environment that allows select students the opportunity to become employed with the company during their senior year of college or while working on their masters degree.

Rasmussen earned a bachelors degree in accounting at Mesa College in Grand Junction, Colo., and a masters degree in taxation from Golden Gate University. He was a tax manager for Ernst & Young for seven years and then a CPA in California and Arkansas for 25 years. He also contributes monthly articles to Pizza Magazine Quarterly online.

He and his wife, Diane, have been married for 23 years and have two children.

Rasmussen's generous contribution will be recognized with a naming opportunity for a faculty office in the department of accounting suite in the new College of Business building.

The Accounting Department and many of our students have greatly benefited from Mr. Rasmussens generosity, said Department of Accounting Chair Dr. Trish Mounce. He has been not just an employer, but a wonderful mentor to many of our students.

For more information about making a contribution to the College of Business building or another campaign priority, contact the UCA Foundation at 501-450-5288.

The Business & Information Techonology (BIT) Club is having its second meeting of the Fall term this Thursday, October 22nd. The event, which will be held in BBA 303 during X-period (1:40 - 2:30 pm), is open to all majors on campus. Jeanna M. Stafford of SAP AG will be our featured speaker and guest. SAP is the world's largest business software company and the fourth largest software enterprise in the world. Refreshments will be served and door prizes will be awarded. All students, faculty, and staff are welcome to attend.

UCA Professor Named to Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors ~ Dr. Michael Hargis, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Marketing and Management within College of Business at the University of Central Arkansas, has been appointed to the Arkansas Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors. This Council works closely with the Department of Finance and Administration as well as Governor Mike Beebe’s Office on economic forecasts and development issues.

Dr. Hargis earned his Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, with a Minor in Quantitative Methods, from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. He teaches classes in the areas of Organizational Behavior, Human Resource Management, and Organizational Development. Dr. Hargis is a graduate of Little Rock Central High School and Hendrix College.