University of Central Arkansas

The launch of UCA's first-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign has offered the campus community, alumni and friends a chance to reflect on the importance of making an investment in UCA.

Several years ago fundraisers in the UCA Foundation set out to define some opportunities where alumni and friends could make an investment in the university, so they began asking, all across campus: "What do you need?"

"The response was overwhelming," said Vice President of Advancement and Development Kelley Erstine. "Professors, chairs, deans, coaches, students ... everyone shared their needs, and the requests could not be ignored."

The needs include buildings, endowed visiting chairs, need-based scholarships, endowments for equipment, and support for outreach programs. We need endowed professorships, upgraded athletic facilities and funding to bring more cultural events to campus. We need graduate assistantships and funding for research and professional development. We need more and better technology, office and learning space and equipment. And the list goes on.