University of Central Arkansas

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.

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.

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."

The University of Central Arkansas Alumni Association presented its annual service award to David Grimes of Conway on Friday night.

The award is presented to an individual or couple, who through their deeds or actions, reflect and recognize the importance of the UCA Alumni Association and demonstrate extraordinary commitment, dedication, service and loyalty to the association.

Miss Ouachita River Sarah Slocum won the title of Miss Arkansas 2009 Saturday night at Summit Arena in Hot Springs in front of a crowd of 2,000 people. As a result, Slocum won a $20,000 scholarship provided by Ted and Shannon Boy Skokos and more than $50,000 in awards, wardrobe, transportation, and gifts.

Slocum, 23, will represent Arkansas at the 2010 Miss America Pageant in Las Vegas and will make appearances across the Natural State promoting the Children's Miracle Network and speaking in support of the goals of the Miss Arkansas and Miss America system.

UCA Homecoming 2009 is scheduled for the week of October 18-24.

"Can't Hide Your Bear Pride"?

Check out the schedule of events.

Six faculty grants, totaling more than $9,000, were awarded recently by the University of Central Arkansas Foundation.

The UCA Foundation awards grants each year to faculty for programs that enhance learning opportunities at UCA. These grants, generally in amounts less than $3,000, are intended to encourage creative programs that may serve as "seeds" for future programs and provide for unique and timely programs and activities.

Little Rock business owner Ann M. Hortillosa has made a $50,000 pledge to the UCA Centennial Campaign and has directed the contribution to a business scholarship named in her honor as well as the new College of Business building fund.

The Ann M. Hortillosa Scholarship Fund supports students in the MBA program with a preference for international students. The additional funds will allow more students to benefit from this scholarship, which was established in 2005 and is awarded annually through the UCA Foundation.

A portion of Hortillosa's gift will also support the university’s $18 million new College of Business building. The 70,000-square-foot building, which is under construction, is located behind Wingo Hall, facing Donaghey. The new building will include a 160-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 of 2010.

BKD, LLP, one of the nation's largest accounting firms and recently ranked as one of the "Best Firms To Work For" in Accounting Today, has pledged a major gift to the University of Central Arkansas Department of Accounting.

BKD's Arkansas partners (including three partners who are UCA alumni), have pledged $165,000 to the BKD Accounting Education Fund in support of UCA's first-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign, New Vision, New Century: The Centennial Campaign for UCA.

BKD, LLP has been a strong supporter of the UCA College of Business and Department of Accounting for nearly 20 years. Including the recent commitment, BKD partners have provided approximately $272,000 in funding for scholarships and departmental expenses. BKD, LLP is Arkansas' largest CPA and advisory firm with offices in Little Rock, Fort Smith, Pine Bluff and Rogers.

"We are pleased to continue to support UCA’s excellent accounting program," said Steven Warren, who is a Little Rock partner and BKD’s Regional Managing Partner for the South Region. "The many UCA accounting graduates who have joined BKD over the years have been well prepared to start their careers, and we look forward to many more joining us in the future."

Soon after the opening of the new UCA College of Business building next spring, a new business lecture series will be introduced as a result of a generous gift from the Davis family of Conway.

Longtime Conway residents Milton and Claudia Davis, along with their son and daughter-in-law, Granger and Jan (Preuitt) Davis, have committed $50,000 to endow the Davis Family Lecture Series and the Davis Faculty Enhancement Fund.

The Davis Family Lecture Series will highlight prominent business men and women from across the country. The first lecture will feature a senior partner at a major investment firm. The annual lecture series will be open to the entire UCA community.

The Davis Faculty Enhancement Fund will be used to support professional development opportunities such as continuing education, travel, research and conferences for faculty members in the College of Business.

"UCA means so much to our entire family," Granger said. "Not only do we appreciate what we learned in and out of the classroom many years ago, but we also enjoy participating in all the university events today. The Centennial Campaign was a perfect opportunity for us to give to an institution that has meant so much in our lives."