University of Central Arkansas

Dr. Joe and Laura Allison of Bartlesville, Okla., in partnership with their employer, ConocoPhillips, have established an endowed travel fund through the University of Central Arkansas Foundation for students studying in the UCA Department of Chemistry.
Through a matching gift partnership, the couple has committed to contributing $30,000 to the Joe and Laura Allison Department of Chemistry Travel Fund over the next three years.

"We are pleased to be able to contribute to the UCA Department of Chemistry," Laura Allison said. "Both of us chose careers in chemistry because of our experiences at UCA. The energy and interest shown by the professors was contagious."

International student enrollment at the University of Central Arkansas edged just over the 600 mark for the Fall 2009 semester setting a new University record. This semester, 601 international students from 64 countries are attending classes at UCA. This 4.5% increase over 2008 caps five years of consecutive, strong international growth.

Dr. Rollin Potter, Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication at the University of Central Arkansas, recently accepted a formal nomination to serve as a Governing Member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Long recognized as one of the world's most prestigious musical organizations, the CSO was founded in 1890 and has performed throughout the world under legendary musical directors and with the most distinguished of guest artists.