UCA News
Archives - December 2008
UCA's Public School Resource Center receives $4.5 million grant
Posted in Campus Life on December 12, 2008
UCA's new Arkansas Public School Resource Center (APSRC) this week announced that the Walton Family Foundation will provide $4,529,770 over the next three years to assist open-enrollment charter schools and rural school districts.
The funds will be transferred to the UCA Foundation, where they will be administered to support the APSRC at UCA.
Scott Smith, executive director of the APSRC, on Wednesday shared news of the award at the first meeting of the organization's board of directors, which includes Tom Courtway, interim president of UCA, and Kathleen Atkins, interim dean of UCA's College of Education.
The Walton Family Foundation in May 2008 initially awarded a $426,141 grant to UCA to plan, develop and implement the APSRC.
The funds will be transferred to the UCA Foundation, where they will be administered to support the APSRC at UCA.
Scott Smith, executive director of the APSRC, on Wednesday shared news of the award at the first meeting of the organization's board of directors, which includes Tom Courtway, interim president of UCA, and Kathleen Atkins, interim dean of UCA's College of Education.
The Walton Family Foundation in May 2008 initially awarded a $426,141 grant to UCA to plan, develop and implement the APSRC.
The Oxford American receives first NEA grant
Posted in Campus Life on December 08, 2008
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) last week announced that The Oxford American Literary Project is among the grant recipients in the NEA's first round of funding for fiscal year 2009.
The Oxford American Literary Project will receive a $10,000 Access to Artistic Excellence grant through the NEA to support the publication and promotion of The Oxford American magazine, which is based on the UCA campus. According to the NEA's announcement, The Oxford American "continues to highlight the work of emerging and established Southern writers."
This is the first NEA grant awarded to The Oxford American.
"Today's NEA award is another sign of the tremendous progress The Oxford American has made this year," said Warwick Sabin, the publisher of The Oxford American magazine. "With this support, we will be able to continue to produce one of the nation's leading literary publications."
The Oxford American Literary Project will receive a $10,000 Access to Artistic Excellence grant through the NEA to support the publication and promotion of The Oxford American magazine, which is based on the UCA campus. According to the NEA's announcement, The Oxford American "continues to highlight the work of emerging and established Southern writers."
This is the first NEA grant awarded to The Oxford American.
"Today's NEA award is another sign of the tremendous progress The Oxford American has made this year," said Warwick Sabin, the publisher of The Oxford American magazine. "With this support, we will be able to continue to produce one of the nation's leading literary publications."
UCA Foundation endows physical therapy scholarship
Posted in Campus Life on December 08, 2008
The University of Central Arkansas Foundation recently announced the endowment of a scholarship for the Department of Physical Therapy.
The Madeline Ann Grubbs Scholarship Fund will provide scholarships for third-year doctoral students studying physical therapy. The scholarship was established by UCA alumni Nat Grubbs '88 and his wife, Traci '93. The Grubbs reside in Monticello with their two daughters, Meredith and Emily. Nat is a former member of the physical therapy faculty and now owns South Arkansas Rehabilitation in Monticello.
The scholarship, which has been endowed at $25,000, is named in memory of their infant daughter, Madeline Ann, who passed away in 1994. On Friday, Dec. 5, the university unveiled a plaque celebrating the endowment of the fund. The plaque will be permanently displayed on the Donor Wall of Honor in McCastlain Hall at UCA.
The Madeline Ann Grubbs Scholarship Fund will provide scholarships for third-year doctoral students studying physical therapy. The scholarship was established by UCA alumni Nat Grubbs '88 and his wife, Traci '93. The Grubbs reside in Monticello with their two daughters, Meredith and Emily. Nat is a former member of the physical therapy faculty and now owns South Arkansas Rehabilitation in Monticello.
The scholarship, which has been endowed at $25,000, is named in memory of their infant daughter, Madeline Ann, who passed away in 1994. On Friday, Dec. 5, the university unveiled a plaque celebrating the endowment of the fund. The plaque will be permanently displayed on the Donor Wall of Honor in McCastlain Hall at UCA.
UCA instructor named educator of the year
Posted in Campus Life on December 08, 2008
Marilyn Friga, Clinical Instructor in UCA's College of Education, has been named the 2008 University Educator by the Arkansas Council for the Social Studies (ACSS).
Friga has served on UCA's School of Education Teaching, Learning and Technology Faculty since 2007. She has taught social studies for eleven years for the Pottsville School District, along with being the District 3 Program Coordinator for the We the People: Citizen and the Constitution Program sponsored by The Department of Civic Education since 1989. Friga is an active UCA collegiate committee member serving as the Concurrent Program Coordinator, Hospitality member, and in various other collegiate committees at the University. Additionally, Friga has served on the ACSS Board since 2006 and is a strong advocate for Civic Education.
Friga earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from Southern Illinois University and holds a Bachelor of Arts- History/Education Degree along with a Masters of Liberal Arts both from Arkansas Tech University. Since 2001, Friga is a National Board Certified Teacher in the area of History and holds certification as a Praxis III Assessor/Reviewer for the Arkansas Department of Education.
Friga has served on UCA's School of Education Teaching, Learning and Technology Faculty since 2007. She has taught social studies for eleven years for the Pottsville School District, along with being the District 3 Program Coordinator for the We the People: Citizen and the Constitution Program sponsored by The Department of Civic Education since 1989. Friga is an active UCA collegiate committee member serving as the Concurrent Program Coordinator, Hospitality member, and in various other collegiate committees at the University. Additionally, Friga has served on the ACSS Board since 2006 and is a strong advocate for Civic Education.
Friga earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from Southern Illinois University and holds a Bachelor of Arts- History/Education Degree along with a Masters of Liberal Arts both from Arkansas Tech University. Since 2001, Friga is a National Board Certified Teacher in the area of History and holds certification as a Praxis III Assessor/Reviewer for the Arkansas Department of Education.
UCA student wins first place at research conference
Posted in Campus Life on December 08, 2008
UCA student Jeremy Lusk recently placed first for his oral presentation in the Physics category at the Arkansas Infrastructure for Biomedical Research Excellence 2008 Research Conference at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.
The annual conference attracts large numbers of researchers in the fields of biology, physics and chemistry and biochemistry. More than 400 faculty, researchers, undergraduate and graduate students from Arkansas and the region attended lectures, exhibits and workshop sessions in the science disciplines during the two-day event.
The Arkansas project to establish Infrastructure for Biomedical Research Excellence is funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health National Center for Research Resources, for the purpose of broadening the geographic distribution of NIH funding for biomedical and behavioral research. The project has established a statewide network that links Arkansas institutions of higher education to promote infrastructure for building additional biomedical research capacity in Arkansas.
The annual conference attracts large numbers of researchers in the fields of biology, physics and chemistry and biochemistry. More than 400 faculty, researchers, undergraduate and graduate students from Arkansas and the region attended lectures, exhibits and workshop sessions in the science disciplines during the two-day event.
The Arkansas project to establish Infrastructure for Biomedical Research Excellence is funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health National Center for Research Resources, for the purpose of broadening the geographic distribution of NIH funding for biomedical and behavioral research. The project has established a statewide network that links Arkansas institutions of higher education to promote infrastructure for building additional biomedical research capacity in Arkansas.
UCA brings back Madrigal Feaste
Posted in Campus Life on December 01, 2008
UCA's Madrigal Feaste is back by popular demand.
After a one-year hiatus, an evening of Renaissance carols and food is scheduled for a nightly performance this Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 4 through 6, in the ballroom of McCastlain Hall.
This is the 33rd year for the Madrigal Feaste. Tickets for the candlelight dinner and performance by UCA's Chamber Singers are $40 and may be purchased at UCA Ticket Central, (501) 450-3265 or www.uca.edu/tickets.
"So much time is required, but it is a lovely event," said John Erwin, associate professor of music and director of choral music at UCA who brought the Feaste to UCA in 1975. "Our goal is to try to take people out of the 21st century and take them back to 400 years earlier when things were a little bit simpler."
The singers will be dressed in Renaissance-period attire, including cloaks and gowns, and will serenade the audience with carols from the period. Renaissance poetry and a court jester will also add to the ambiance. Every year the feaste draws crowds from all over Arkansas and surrounding states. Erwin said he expected approximately 200 guests this year.
After a one-year hiatus, an evening of Renaissance carols and food is scheduled for a nightly performance this Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 4 through 6, in the ballroom of McCastlain Hall.
This is the 33rd year for the Madrigal Feaste. Tickets for the candlelight dinner and performance by UCA's Chamber Singers are $40 and may be purchased at UCA Ticket Central, (501) 450-3265 or www.uca.edu/tickets.
"So much time is required, but it is a lovely event," said John Erwin, associate professor of music and director of choral music at UCA who brought the Feaste to UCA in 1975. "Our goal is to try to take people out of the 21st century and take them back to 400 years earlier when things were a little bit simpler."
The singers will be dressed in Renaissance-period attire, including cloaks and gowns, and will serenade the audience with carols from the period. Renaissance poetry and a court jester will also add to the ambiance. Every year the feaste draws crowds from all over Arkansas and surrounding states. Erwin said he expected approximately 200 guests this year.
UCA Theatre to present festival of one-act plays
Posted in Campus Life on December 01, 2008
UCA Theatre will present a Festival of One Act Plays this Tuesday through Thursday, December 2 through 4, at 7:30 p.m. in the Bridges/Larson Theatre of the Snow Fine Arts Center.
The Festival has become one of the most popular events at UCA Theatre and involves over fifty cast and crew members. Three to four different one-act plays will be presented each evening. Each play has been chosen, cast, and directed by the 2009 Directing Class, under the supervision of assistant professor of Theatre, Kevin T. Browne.
Admission is free to everyone. Tickets are not required. Doors open at 7 p.m. each evening. Some material may not be suitable for children.
On Dec. 2, the theatre will present: White Russian, by Joseph Goodrich; The Most Massive Woman Wins, by Madeleine George; and Dutchman, by Leroi Jones.
On Dec. 3, the theatre will present: Blind Date, by Horton Foote; Kissing Christine, by John Patrick Shanley; The Second Beam, by Joan Ackermann; and The Red Dress, by Jacob Schmidt.
On Dec. 4, the theatre will present: The Actors Nightmare, by Christopher Durang; An American Century, by Murphy Guyer; and You Belong to Me, by Sinovia Mayfield.
Information is also available on UCA Theatre's website at uca.edu/theatre or by calling 501-450-5092.
The Festival has become one of the most popular events at UCA Theatre and involves over fifty cast and crew members. Three to four different one-act plays will be presented each evening. Each play has been chosen, cast, and directed by the 2009 Directing Class, under the supervision of assistant professor of Theatre, Kevin T. Browne.
Admission is free to everyone. Tickets are not required. Doors open at 7 p.m. each evening. Some material may not be suitable for children.
On Dec. 2, the theatre will present: White Russian, by Joseph Goodrich; The Most Massive Woman Wins, by Madeleine George; and Dutchman, by Leroi Jones.
On Dec. 3, the theatre will present: Blind Date, by Horton Foote; Kissing Christine, by John Patrick Shanley; The Second Beam, by Joan Ackermann; and The Red Dress, by Jacob Schmidt.
On Dec. 4, the theatre will present: The Actors Nightmare, by Christopher Durang; An American Century, by Murphy Guyer; and You Belong to Me, by Sinovia Mayfield.
Information is also available on UCA Theatre's website at uca.edu/theatre or by calling 501-450-5092.
UCA Band students chosen for state honor
Posted in Campus Life on December 01, 2008
Twelve UCA students have been named to the Arkansas Intercollegiate Band, which is made up of the best woodwind, brass, and percussion students from twelve Arkansas colleges and universities.
The UCA students selected are: Andrew Baker, Oboe; Curtis Sebren, Bb Clarinet; Carol Sikes, Eb Clarinet; Kevin Staggs, Bass Clarinet; Andrew Hamby, Alto Clarinet; Emily Goodwin, Contra Clarinet; Jordan Tucker, Alto Sax; Josh Reed, Tenor Sax; Marie Pokorski, Horn; Chris White, Euphonium; Matt Smith, Tuba; and Veronika Mauder, Percussion.
The AIB will meet and rehearse next February in Hot Springs in conjunction with the ASBOA All-State Convention. The AIB will perform for the all-state students and directors during the convention.
The UCA students selected are: Andrew Baker, Oboe; Curtis Sebren, Bb Clarinet; Carol Sikes, Eb Clarinet; Kevin Staggs, Bass Clarinet; Andrew Hamby, Alto Clarinet; Emily Goodwin, Contra Clarinet; Jordan Tucker, Alto Sax; Josh Reed, Tenor Sax; Marie Pokorski, Horn; Chris White, Euphonium; Matt Smith, Tuba; and Veronika Mauder, Percussion.
The AIB will meet and rehearse next February in Hot Springs in conjunction with the ASBOA All-State Convention. The AIB will perform for the all-state students and directors during the convention.
UCA faculty news
Posted in Campus Life on December 01, 2008
Tim Thornes, assistant professor of Linguistics in the Department of Writing, has been invited to contribute from his ongoing study of the Northern Paiute language to a volume on the typology and historical development of relative clauses in the world's languages. The book will be edited by Bernard Comrie (University of California at Santa Barbara and the Max Plank Institute for Evolutionary Anthopology in Leipzig) and Zarina Estrada Fernandez (University of Sonora at Hermosillo, Mexico). The volume will be published by John Benjamins (Amsterdam) under the auspices of its ongoing Typological Studies in Language series.
Lanette Grate of UCA's Writing Department has completed all of the requirements for her Ph.D from Western Michigan University. Her dissertation, "Jane Addams and the Foundationalist Fallacy: Coming to Voice at Rockford Female Seminary," was successfully defended in October.
Lanette Grate of UCA's Writing Department has completed all of the requirements for her Ph.D from Western Michigan University. Her dissertation, "Jane Addams and the Foundationalist Fallacy: Coming to Voice at Rockford Female Seminary," was successfully defended in October.