The Department of Physical Therapy welcomes PT and PTA alumni from Arkansas and beyond to our web site.  We would like to share news, offer events for continuing education through our web site and our Physical Therapy Alumni Newsletter.  In addition, we are able to host a job listings site where job announcements can be made available to all of our graduate. 

2011 Physical Therapy Alumni Weekend

The 2011 Physical Therapy Alumni Weekend is scheduled on Saturday, October 29.  We are hosting a continuing education course from 8:30-3:00 in the PT Center entitled Clinical Update:  Rehabilitation of Common Hip and Knee Conditions presented by Nat Grubbs, PT, MHS, OCS.  This course is approved for 6 contact hours by the AR State Board of Physical Therapy.  Lunch will be provided.  The cost of the course is $80 for alumni and $100 for non-alumni and is open to PT and PTAs.    Following the course the PT Department will host a Physical Therapy Alumni and Friends Tailgate Cookout in front of the PT Center between 3:00 and 5:00.  The cookout is free, RSVP is appreciated at staceys@uca.edu.  Contact Stacey Stephens at 501-450-5549 or staceys@uca.edu if you have any questions regarding the course or the tailgating.  We would love to see you on campus, please consider joining us on October 29!  Brochure and Registration Form

2011 DPT Convocation and Student Awards

Congratulations to the 2011 Outstanding DPT Student Park Tipton!  Park was selected by his classmates and recognized on August 12 during the Physical Therapy Convocation Ceremony held in Reynolds Performance Hall.  Physical Therapy Student Scholarship recipients for 2011 were also announced.  Nat Grubbs and his wife Traci presented the Madeline Ann Grubbs Scholarship to Morgan Purkiss of the 2012 DPT Class.  Dr. Margaret McGee presented the Thomas Meadows Scholarship to Ashley Roughton of the 2013 class.  Dr. Nancy Reese presented the Joe Finnell Scholarship to Elizabeth Davis, Class of 2012 and Gabriel Harris and Ashley Roughton, both of the 2013 class.   The Department of Physical Therapy Faculty recognized DPT Graduates for newly created Excellence Awards to recognize academic, clinical, research and service.  Park Tipon was the 2011 Service and Leadership Excellence Award Recipient.  Erica Cason received the Clinical Excellence Award based on clinical instructor nominations.  The Research Excellence Award recipients were Allison Burba Horgan, Park Tipton, Brittany Sexson, and Jill Womack (pictured right from left to right).  The Academic Excellence Award recognized five students who maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout the DPT curriculum including Erica Cason, Joshua Eaves, Brittany Sexson, Park Tipton and Jill Womack. 

2010 University of Central Arkansas Commencement

View this UTube Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRej_sar9G4  for sights and sounds from the August 13 University Commencement Ceremony held in the Farris Center.  2010 DPT Graduate, Tyler Morehart, delivered the keynote student address. 

2010 DPT Convocation

Also on August 13, the Class of 2010 and their guests, UCA Administrators, and PT Faculty honored the DPT Graduates.  Dr. Lance Grahn, Provost, provided words of wisdom.  Dr. Charlotte Yates, Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy, delivered the keynote address.  Dr. Hattlestad, Dean of the College of Health and Behavior Sciences and Dr. Elaine McNiece, Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate School presented class certificates.  Dr. Misty Booth, Director of the Pediatric Residency,  presented the pediatric residency certificates to Devon Clark and Keely O'Dell, UCA's first residents.  Dr. Nancy Reese, Professor and Chairperson of Physical Therapy, presented the Joe Finnell PT Student Scholarship to Erica Cason, Kaitlyn Stambaugh and Joshua Eaves, all of the DPT Class of 2011.  Dr. Reese also presented the Thomas Meadows Memorial Scholarship to Morgan Purkiss, DPT Class of 2012.  Nat Grubbs, his wife and daughters presented the Madeline Ann Grubbs Scholarship to Park Tipton, DPT Class of 2011.  Dr. Misty Booth presented the 2010 ArPTA Outstanding Student Clinican Award to John Montgomery, 2010 DPT Graduate.  Dr. Steven Forbush, Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy, presented the 2010 Outstanding DPT Student Award to Shane Irgens.   DPT Class President, John Montgomery, presented the Faculty gifts that included two charcoal grills for tailgating and a UCA Physical Therapy banner that can be used at community events such as Rollin' Round the Rim. The ceremony closed with a Benediction lead by Ryan Ottenger.  A reception for graduates and guests immediately followed in the Reynolds Auditorium Balcony.

Alumni Weekend

In the Fall of 2006, we offered our first PT Alumni Weekend including continuing education courses, guest speakers such as Mr. Finnell, and awarded the distinguished alumnus award to Susan Appling, Class of 1986.  Dr. Jack Thomas and Dr. Bruce Mendelson each taught continuing education courses for us.  In 2007, we provided a panel of pediatric therapists, many of them alumni and in 2008 a Gross Anatomy review lab.  Since then, we have aligned our PT alumni weekend with UCA Homecoming activities.  This year we offered a continuing education course in constraint induced therapy with guest lecturers from Emory University and the UCA OT program.   We are also participating in the UCA tailgating festivities held on Bruce street and in the lawn of the PT Center.  Please stop by to see us at the next UCA football game.

Keeping in Touch

Please update your mailing address and contact information now at Update Records on the UCA Alumni Services Webpage.

Spring 2010 Newsletter

Archive of Physical Therapy Alumni Newsletter