University of Central Arkansas

Dr. Stephanie Vanderslice's passion for writing and teaching has earned her this year's Arkansas University English Teacher of the Year Award.

The award will be presented by the Arkansas Council of Teachers of English and Language Arts during a reception Nov. 5 at the Peabody Hotel in Little Rock.

The ACTELA has recognized outstanding English and Language Arts teachers since 2004. Winners are selected based on their professionalism, service and accomplishments in the field of English and Language Arts.

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 college's 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.

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 college’s 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.

For nearly a year, Anne Jansen's work as a television journalist was packed away in boxes in her kitchen.

Her collection of high-profile interviews, letters and photographs are now on display at the University of Central Arkansas Archives.

A portion of Jansen's collection was unveiled Oct. 26 during a reception in the Mirror Room in McAlister Hall.

Ben Stein, the writer, actor and television personality, will open the University of Central Arkansas's new Distinguished Lecture series at Reynolds Performance Hall.

Stein will appear at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29.

The University of Central Arkansas Honors College will take a closer look at America's food system and the growing issue of obesity in the U.S. as part of Challenge Week 2009.

This year's theme " Just Food: Farm-to-Fork Food Systems for 21st Century Communities," addresses the "just food" movement in America. The movement calls for ecologically responsible and economically sound agriculture, better food safety, anti-hunger policy, and programs that address obesity and other aspects of healthy eating.

Dr. Kurt Boniecki was honored by the University of Central Arkansas's Richard Hudson chapter of the American Association of University Professors and the UCA Faculty Senate for being named this year’s recipient of the Shared Governance Award.

The award is given by the Arkansas chapter of the American Association of University Professors in recognition of outstanding work and service in the field of higher education and the support of academic freedom.

A champagne toast was held in Dr. Boniecki’s honor Oct. 22 at Mike’s Place.

Dr. Boniecki, the former president of the UCA Faculty Senate, was nominated by the Richard Hudson chapter earlier this spring. Dr. Brian Bolter, the chapter's president, said Dr. Boniecki was recognized for his leadership during the transition of presidents and his hard work representing the faculty's intertest.

The state AAUP unanimously supported Dr. Boniecki receiving the award, Dr. Bolter said.

"They were very supportive and understood the difficult situation he was put into," he said. "It is not often that faculty is recognized for something like this. It is only given when someone has truly done exemplary work."

Dr. Boniecki, an associate professor in the Psychology and Counseling Department, said it was an honor to be acknowleged by his peers.

"What I was able to accomplish as Faculty Senate president during the last year would not have been possible without AAUP," Dr. Boniecki said. "They, as an organization, provided the support that the faculty needed in order to protect academic integrity and the freedom and the rights of professors. That is all I tried to do during my tenure last year."

The University of Central Arkansas recently partnered with the William J. Clinton Presidential Library to provide social studies teachers from around the state a workshop promoting civic competence and responsibility among the nation’s elementary and secondary students.

The program, called “We the People: The Citizen and The Constitution Workshop,” took place Sept. 25.

Marilyn Friga, an UCA College of Education instructor, and Dr. Patsy Ramsey, an UCA Department of History faculty member, collaborated with Education Specialist Kathleen Pate of the William J. Clinton Presidential Library to offer the program.

The instructional program enhances students’ understanding of the history and foundations of the institutions of American constitutional democracy. The workshop provided K-12 teachers with the opportunity to collaborate and integrate the Center for Civic Education program to the curriculum. The workshop focused on innovative strategies to enhance student learning. The participants also learned of teaching strategies including constitution games, reading and study skills, political cartoons, mock trial simulations, and guided discussion as authentic assessment and preparation for Congressional Simulated Hearings. All participants received a full classroom set of textbooks with instructional guides funded by the U.S. Department of Education. The workshop concluded with a presidential tour of the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Center.

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

The University of Central Arkansas's National Pan-Hellenic Council will host a gospel benefit concert to raise money for a scholarship to honor two UCA students who were killed during an on-campus shooting last year.

The 2009 Henderson-Block Gospel Benefit Concert is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 25 at 6 p.m. at UCA in the Ida Waldran Auditorium.

The University of Central Arkansas honored donors and recognized recipients of all private scholarships awarded through the UCA Foundation during a special reception on Thursday. The reception allowed donors and recipients to meet and visit while learning about the importance of privately funded scholarships. President Allen Meadors called the scholarships "highly competitive." More than 1,400 students applied last spring for the UCA Foundation's 321 scholarships, which are awarded annually.

Anglican Bishop John Rucyahana of Rwanda will visit UCA on Monday, October 12 at 4:00 p.m. in the Snow Fine Arts Recital Hall. Bishop Rucyahana has been instrumental in helping the Rwandan people move forward after the genocide and war that plagued the country in the early 1990's. In his presentation the Bishop will speak about the current revitalization of his country.