University of Central Arkansas The University of Central Arkansas is a state - run institution located in the city of Conway , the seat of Faulkner County , north of Little Rock and is the fourth largest university by enrollment in the U . S . state of Arkansas , and the third largest college system in the state . The school is most respected for its programs in Education , Occupational Therapy , and Physical Therapy . It is also the home of the UCA Honors College as well as four Residential Colleges . History and mission . The Arkansas State Legislature created the Arkansas State Normal School , now known as the University of Central Arkansas , in 1907 . The purpose of The Arkansas State Normal School was to properly train students to become professional teachers and rid Arkansas of haphazard schoolteachers . Classes began in 1908 with nine academic departments , one building on , 107 students and seven faculty members . Two faculty members taught in two departments and President Doyne taught pedagogy and Latin . In 1925 , Arkansas State Normal School became Arkansas State Teachers College . The name change more accurately reflected the primary focus of instruction and mission of the institution . By 1967 , the mission of Arkansas State Teachers College had changed . Though teacher training was still an important part of the school ' s mission , other fields began to expand in liberal arts studies and in the emerging field of health care . To recognize the institution ' s existing academic diversity another name change was in order . In January 1967 , Arkansas State Teachers College became the State College of Arkansas . President Silas Snow , who championed the name change in 1967 , organized State College of Arkansas along university lines in preparation for still yet another name change . State College of Arkansas grew rapidly and offered an ever - widening range of degree programs . By January 1975 , Snow ’ s efforts were realized as the State Department of Higher Education recommended State College of Arkansas be known as The University of Central Arkansas , or UCA . Enrollment . As of Fall 2010 , UCA has an enrollment of 11 , 444 students , a decrease of 2 . 9 % over that of Fall 2009 . UCA saw its highest enrollment in Fall 2008 with 12 , 974 students , an increase of 2 . 8 percent over its enrollment one year earlier , which was 12 , 619 . In the September 19 , 2007 edition of " The Echo " ( campus newspaper ) , the fall 2007 enrollment was listed at 12 , 619 . In fall 2006 , 12 , 330 students were enrolled at UCA . UCA ' s enrollment has increased by over 28 % in the past five years and 14 % over the past four years . In fall 2002 , UCA had an enrollment of approximately 8 , 500 . Traditions . UCA Colors - The colors for UCA were decided the first year and according to an article in the November 24th , 1908 edition of the Log Cabin Democrat , were said to be purple and silver . President Doyne assigned the task of developing school colors to W . O . Wilson and Ida Waldran in 1908 . Wilson was wearing a gray sweater and Waldran was wearing a purple scarf . They chose the colors based upon the color of the clothing they were wearing that day . Both Wilson and Waldran thought that purple and gray complemented each other . Today the official colors for all UCA sports teams are purple and gray . UCA Mascot - It wasn ' t until 1920 that the UCA athletic teams had a mascot . According to Dr . Ted Worley , author of A History of The Arkansas State Teachers College , the UCA teams from 1908 - 1919 were referred to by many names , including : Tutors , Teachers , Pedagogues , Pea - Pickers , and Normalites . In 1920 the Bears became the mascot for the teams . However , it wasn ’ t until April 7 , 1921 that the teams were called the " Bears " in print . Dr . Worley also quoted sources as saying the Bear was an appropriate symbol for the school because Arkansas ’ nickname was the " Bear State " . The women ' s teams were known as the Bearettes for several years . The name of Sugar Bear came later . Victor E . Bear came about in 1999 and Victoria E . Bear came soon after . Bruce D . Bear became the newest addition to the UCA family in 2006 Main Hall – is the oldest building on campus . This building was completed in 1919 and was built by George Donaghey , the man for whom Donaghey Avenue is named and a former governor of the State of Arkansas . After the building was built it served a dual role as the administration building and as a classroom building . It continued to serve as the administration building until the 1960s . On February 11 of 2011 , the building was named to the National Register of Historic Places . World War II Marker - UCA ' s World War II Memorial was dedicated in October 2003 . The memorial contains the names and branch of service of forty - six UCA alumni who were killed during World War II . The memorial is a permanent reminder of those UCA alumni who gave their lives fighting for their country . Senior Legacy Walk Brick Campaign - The Senior Walk is located in the courtyard in front of the Student Center . Each year , graduates will have the opportunity to purchase bricks as part of their class year . For $ 100 , graduates can purchase a brick that will be inscribed with his / her name or the name of a graduate that a purchaser want to honor . UCA presidents . After President Thompson resigned the presidency he was replaced on an interim basis on December 21 , 2001 by Dr . John Smith , vice - president of financial services . Smith served in this capacity until September 22 , 2002 . Hardin took the reins at UCA on September 23 , 2002 . He has a Bachelor of Arts with high honors from Arkansas Tech University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas Law School . Hardin served as an Arkansas State Senator for 14 years and was chairman of the Senate Education Committee and also served on the Joint Budget Committee and Legislative Council . He chaired the Arkansas Advisory Council for Vocational Education and served 12 years as a Professor of Legal Studies at Arkansas Tech University . In addition , he was a trial attorney for 10 years . Prior to becoming UCA ’ s eighth president , Hardin was Director of the Department of Higher Education for six years . President Lu Hardin announced his resignation at the August 28 , 2008 Board of Trustees meeting , following controversy over a $ 300 , 000 bonus that had been voted him by the board . He would later plead guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges . Tom Courtway , UCA Vice President and General Counsel , was then named Interim President . On June 19 , 2009 , the new UCA President , Dr . Allen Meadors , was presented to the Board of Trustees . The event took place in Wingo Hall . Dr . Meadors is a UCA Alumnus who received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration . Academics . The University has 6 distinct colleges offering over 80 majors . These colleges are : The College of Business , the College of Education , the College of Fine Arts and Communications , the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences , the College of Liberal Arts , and the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics . The university is famous for its innovative Honors College , which has received national recognition for its excellence . Small classes , distinguished faculty , TAG and URGE grants for students , high ACT and SAT scores , and outstanding medical and graduate school admission rates are hallmarks of the College . The Carnegie Foundation said the UCA Honors College was " One of the most widely imitated programs in the country , " and former U . S . Secretary of Education Terrell Bell described the Honors College as being " An Ivy League education at a bargain basement price . " In 2006 , " U . S . News & World Report " ranked UCA 61st in the South in academic excellence . This marks the first year that UCA has been ranked . UCA was the only public Arkansas university in that category . In the 2009 Edition of " U . S . News & World Report America ' s Best Colleges " , UCA was ranked 54th in Master ' s Universities South . UCA was also ranked 23rd in the Top Public Schools in Master ' s Universities South . In January 2010 UCA launched a daily source of news and information . The website is created , designed , and run completely by mass communication students . The student created website is named " The Fountain , " after the historic landmark located at the university ' s campus . Colleges . The University of Central Arkansas in Conway , AR , comprises six colleges . In addition to the programs offered at the colleges , it has a study abroad program . Students may , for example , study Literature in Italy and UK , healthcare in China or Sociology in Africa . Credits earned at several foreign universities may be credited towards a degree at UCA . UCA is also recognized as distinct by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education for being one of the nation ' s 20 Asian Studies Development Program ' s Regional Centers for Asian Studies , a joint program of the federally - funded East West Center and University of Hawaii at Manoa . College of Fine Arts and Communication The College of Fine Arts and Communication offers five fields of study for a degree . Available disciplines include music , public relations , communications , art and writing . Many of the college ' s degrees enable graduates to work or teach in their chosen profession . The college offers both bachelor and graduate programs . College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics This college offers eight fields of study in physical and natural sciences as well as six pre - professional programs . Undergraduate programs include those in biology , chemistry , computer science , environmental science , general science , mathematics , physics , and secondary science education . Pre - professional programs include pre - dentistry , pre - optometry , pre - medicine , pre - engineering , pre - pharmacy , and pre - veterinary science . The college offers both bachelor and master ' s degrees . College of Business Business students attending the University of Central Arkansas can pursue an associate , graduate , bachelor or MBA degree through this college . Major fields of study include accounting , economics , finance , information systems , management , and marketing . College of Health and Behavioral Sciences This college offers bachelor and graduate degrees in health , education , psychology , counseling , military science , nursing , therapy and speech pathology . ROTC students at the University of Central Arkansas attend this college for training as a commissioned officer . Courses are also available in fitness and exercise . College of Liberal Arts There are seven fields of study available at the College of Liberal Arts . The college offers graduate and bachelor degrees . Available fields of study include religious studies , philosophy , foreign language , political science , sociology , geography , and history . The College also supports the inter - disciplinary Asian studies , gender studies , Latin American studies , and Southern and Arkansas studies minor programs . College of Education The College of Education offers University of Central Arkansas students Ph . D . , bachelor and master ' s degree programs . These programs provide the skills required to work in teaching , educational administration and curriculum development . Residential colleges . There are currently four residential colleges at UCA , Hughes Hall ( 1997 ) , State Residential College ( 1999 ) , Short / Denney ( 2006 ) , and Science , Technology , Engineering , and Mathematics ( S . T . E . M . ) ( 2010 ) . Bear Hall opened in the fall of 2012 . This is a new dorm that will hold the E . P . I . C . program ( Entrepreneurship , Public Scholarship , Innovation , and Community Engagement ) on the fourth floor for upper class students . Residential colleges are co - educational learning communities in which students and their professors interact closely with one another . By living in the same residence hall as a faculty member , and taking classes with other college members , residential college students form academic connections which enrich the entire educational experience . Any student admitted to UCA is eligible to apply for admission to the Residential Colleges . The program is open to students in all majors and programs . Students generally enter a residential learning community the first semester of their freshman year . The UCA Residential College Program is a community of learners that was implemented in 1997 to educate the whole student . To do this , the program provides each student with opportunities to develop her or his academic , professional , and societal lives . Academically , the RC college program expects their graduates to : know themselves as discerning thinkers who are able to evaluate and interpret complex information from a variety of sources , have a strong commitment to making learning a lifelong process , express themselves thoughtfully and with meaning in a variety of contexts Professionally , the Residential College program expects their : work well in teams , including those of varied composition ; building consensus and working with dissension ; utilize learned technological skills in ways which further and enhance their careers ; act creatively , ethically , and with initiative . Socially , the Residential College program expects their : demonstrate a sense of commitment to local and global concerns ; contribute their time , talents , and efforts in service to the community ; recognize themselves as part of a diverse and ever - changing world . Because " the end depends upon the beginning , " the UCA Residential College Program dedicates its faculty and resources to making the transitions from high school to college and college - to - career both meaningful and successful . By offering a space for conversations about things that matter , we build the communities and connections so essential to our education and our society . Drama and theater arts . The University of Central Arkansas is Arkansas ' s premiere dramatic school . The program promotes active student involvement in all areas of production including acting , stage management , scenery , costumes , lights , sound , props , and management . The theater program participates annually in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival and has walked away with numerous awards . UCA also holds the annual Arkansas High School Audition Day which is a chance for any High School senior interested in majoring in theater to audition before most of the theater programs in the state of Arkansas . Also , UCA Theatre is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre . This accreditation assures students and parents that the UCA Theatre program meets professional standards of quality in theater education and training as set forth by the Association . www . uca . edu / theatre UCA Public Appearances . UCA Public Appearances is a division of the University ’ s College of Fine Arts & Communication . Its primary responsibilities are to manage the Donald W . Reynolds Performance Hall — a 1 , 200 - seat , state - of - the - art theater — and to develop and present performing arts programming in the hall . The Reynolds Performance Hall opened on September 15 , 2000 , with a sold - out concert by the late Ray Charles . Since then , the theater has hosted numerous celebrities , including Loretta Lynn , Rhonda Vincent , Seth Meyers , Gavin DeGraw , the Temptations , Gladys Knight , Ronan Tynan , The Golden Dragon Acrobats , Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons , mezzo - soprano Denyce Graves , Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones , local composer David William Allison , and many national and international touring companies . A four - person full - time staff , two part - time staff , and numerous student workers are employed by Public Appearances . UCA Public Appearances manages UCA Ticket Central , which provides ticketing services for all non - athletic ticketed events on the campus . UCA Ticket Central serves Public Appearances , UCA Theatre , the Conway Symphony Orchestra , the Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre , Student Activities events , and events sponsored by organizations within and outside the University . UCA Public Appearances is supported by State funds , funds generated by the UCA Performing Arts fees , grants , ticket sales , and donations . www . uca . edu / publicappearances Athletics . The university ' s athletic teams are known as the Bears for men ' s teams and Sugar Bears for women ' s teams . Central Arkansas participates in NCAA at the Division I ( Football Championship Subdivision football ) level as a member of the Southland Conference . The university fields 14 varsity sports involving over 400 student - athletes . The athletic program includes seven men ' s sports : baseball , basketball , cross country , football , golf , soccer , and track and field ; and eight women ' s sports : basketball , cross country , golf , soccer , softball , tennis , track & field , and volleyball . Greek life . Approximately 10 % of UCA ' s students are members of one of the 21 Greek organizations hosted by the campus . Greek life was established in 1915 . The organizations also devote thousands of hours and dollars to local charities each year . List of Greek Organizations at UCA Registered student organizations . The University is home to more than 200 registered student organizations , with more forming every year . Notable other RSO ' s include The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People ( N . A . A . C . P ) , Young Democrats , College Libertarians , College Republicans , Sigma Alpha Lambda Honors Society , Student Council for Exceptional Children , PRISM , Business and Information Technology ( BIT ) , Computer Science Club , Model UN , Campus Dialogue , Pre - Med Society , Pre - Pharmacy Club , RUSH Collegiate Ministries and a myriad of other religious organizations . Also , there are minority - focused organizations such as Griot Society , Minority Mentorship , Students for the Propagation of Black Culture ( SPBC ) , S . U . A . A . W . , Black Men United ( BMU ) Student Government Association . The Student Government Association , SGA , represents the student body at all times and in all circumstances , in areas such as : allocating and administrating student activity funds ; advising the administration in regard to student - related policies ; cooperating with faculty in determining student obligations and honors ; considering all student petitions to SGA ; planning and supervising all SGA elections ; and approving charters or cancellations of RSOs . The SGA was created to represent student interests on campus and push for initiatives that are beneficial for the student body . They are there to make sure that students are the number one priority in every decision made at UCA . The Slogan of SGA is : Students First ! The SGA is composed of total of forty senators divided into : " The Executive Board " consisting of an Executive President , Executive Vice - President , Vice - President of Operations , Vice - President of Finance . SGA representation from each class shall be as follows : President , Vice - President , Five ( 5 ) Representatives . Additional Members : Five ( 5 ) Senators at Large , Three ( 3 ) Graduate Senators . The full Senate meets every Monday at 5 pm in Student Center 215 and all students are invited to attend . This is the time when all the classes and committees come together , under the direction of the Executive Board , to report on goals and projects that are being carried out by the body . Any student can be appointed to a committee . Controversy . A May 2009 state Audit found several irregularities in UCA ' s financing including payouts to President Lu Hardin of nearly $ 1 , 000 , 000 after his controversial resignation . The audit division also reported that UCA and its primary advertising agency at that time " appear to have converted public funds to private funds " to pay head football coach Clint Conque more than $ 30 , 000 above his state salary cap . It is alleged that Conque accepted the funds in exchange for appearing in several UCA promotional videos . However , the money used to pay Conque was the same amount that was paid to the advertising agency to create the promos . These findings were turned over to Prosecuting Attorney Marcus Vaden . Currently , UCA is undergoing investigation by the FBI , allegedly for the past audit findings . 2008 campus shooting . On Sunday , October 26 , 2008 , a shooting took place on the UCA campus shortly after 9 : 00pm CDT , outside of the Arkansas Hall dormitory . Two students – Ryan Henderson , 18 , and Chavares Block , 19 – were fatally shot . A third person , 19 - year - old Martrevis Norman , a non - student visiting the campus , was shot in the leg and was treated at the nearby Conway Regional Medical Center . Four suspects were charged in the shooting : Kawin Brockton , 19 , Kelsey Perry , 19 , Mario Tony , 20 , and Brandon Wade , 20 .