Submitted by: Trasha Gossett, tgossett@uca.edu on 07/22/2026
Aaron King (Psych BS ’07) recently defended his dissertation (Distance as Disconnection, or Miles in the Mind? Hidden Psychological and Structural Influences on College Student Mobility and Belonging) and graduated with a PhD in Developmental Psychology from Cornell University
Submitted by: Tiffany Head, thead@uca.edu on 07/21/2026
UCA Trustee Dr. Michael Stanton has been named Physician of the Year in the 2026 Conway Area Healthcare Awards.
The awards celebrate the individuals and companies making an impact on the overall health of the community they serve. Dr. Stanton, MD, FACS – Conway Regional Surgical Associates, was among more than 80 individuals and businesses nominated in 15 categories. All nominations were reviewed by individuals outside of Conway who are in the healthcare industry.
The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce announced the recipients, who will be honored at the Cintas Conway Area Healthcare Awards, presented by Stephens Insurance, on Aug. 6 at UCA’s Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts.
Submitted by: Lesley Graybeal, lgraybeal@uca.edu on 07/21/2026
The Graduate School will hold two commencement ceremonies on Saturday, August 8th at 9am and 12pm in Reynolds Performance Hall, and the university relies on the support of employees across campus to ensure that this event goes smoothly! If you would like to assist with August Commencement ceremonies as a volunteer, please see the information below and sign up here: https://uca.givepulse.com/event/894400
More information about which graduates will attend each ceremony and their ticketing process is available at /commencement/.
Attire for volunteers is business casual (no jeans or athletic wear). Please wear your UCA name badge if you have one. If you do not have one, a commencement volunteer name tag will be provided for you. Duties include passing out programs, scanning tickets, welcoming visitors, giving directions, assisting with accessible and reserved seating, answering questions, and assisting graduates, faculty and visitors.
Volunteers will need to report to Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center Room 101 to check in at their shift start time, which is 1 hour and 30 minutes before the ceremony. Some volunteers will be dismissed 30 minutes after the start of the ceremony, and others will be asked to stay until the ceremony concludes (expected ceremony time is 1 hour and 30 minutes). Please pay attention to your shift end time when signing up.
UCA employees may choose to receive Staff Senate volunteer time (reported and tracked through HR leave banks) or flex time, if approved by their supervisor.
Thank you for assisting with this important campus celebration and momentous occasion in the lives of our students! We appreciate you helping ensure that we have a safe and enjoyable event!
For more information, contact Dr. Lesley Graybeal at lgraybeal@uca.edu.
Submitted by: Kristen Oitker, koitker1@uca.edu on 07/20/2026
Kick off the 2026 fall sports season at UCA Purple Passion on Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the 51ÇàÂ¥ Outdoor Practice Field.
This free, community-wide celebration features food samples from local restaurants, a community pep rally, and fun for all ages. Meet UCA student-athletes and coaches, collect autographs on a limited-edition poster, and grab the fall sports schedule.
The evening wraps up with the crowning of the new Tailgate Champion and the awarding of the 2026 Purple Passion Spirit Stick.
Submitted by: Stephanie McBrayer, smcbrayer@uca.edu on 07/20/2026
51ÇàÂ¥ (UCA) students and alumnae achieved success at the recent Miss Arkansas scholarship competition, taking home a combined $26,750 in scholarships alongside major titles, interview awards, and preliminary honors. Representing both current undergraduate, graduate, and alumni communities, six 51ÇàÂ¥ Bears demonstrated excellence across academic, talent, and service categories on the state stage.
Graduate student Jada Simpson (Miss Greater Jacksonville) placed as 4th Runner-Up to Miss Arkansas, securing an $8,000 scholarship. Simpson also swept multiple preliminary phases, capturing the Preliminary Evening Gown and Preliminary Onstage Conversation awards, as well as the Marty Walker Education Professions Interview award, totaling $11,500.
Current Miss UCA, Ana Brandon, earned $6,000 in scholarships. Her vocal talent and communication skills earned her the Fine Arts Professions Interview award, Preliminary Talent award, and Non-Finalist Vocal honors. Brandon was also recognized for her community service with the Service Above Self award.
Two UCA representatives secured coveted Top 15 placements, each earning $2,000: Gabrielle Russell (Miss Petit Jean Valley), an accounting student, also won the Marketplace Interview for Accounting and the Ebony Mitchell Mentoring Matters award. Riley Strube (Miss Lights of the Delta), a UCA alumna, added to her Top 15 finish by winning the Claudia Raffo Enhance Arkansas award and the Ebony Mitchell Mentoring Matters award.
Rounding out the university’s exceptional representation, current student Ava Walker (Miss Greater Hot Springs) was voted Miss Congeniality by her peers and received the Service Above Self award. Alumna Tori Kiser (Miss City of Colleges / Miss UCA 2025) was honored with the Dreamer Award.
The success at the state level underscores UCA’s commitment to fostering strong student leaders who excel in academics, public speaking, performing arts, and community advocacy. The thousands of dollars in scholarship tuition earned by these women will directly support their continuing educational journeys at UCA and beyond.
