Alumni News – UCA Magazine

Night of Distinction

UCA Magazine Staff — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 19:36:07 +0000

The 51��¥ will host the seventh annual Night of Distinction Saturday, April 29, at the McCastlain Ballroom on campus. Night of Distinction is the awards gala honoring past and present recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award and the Alumni Service Award. Proceeds from the event benefit student scholarships.

2017 Alumni Honorees

Herby Branscum, Jr. ’63
Distinguished Alumnus

Practiced law in Arkansas for more than 50 years when Branscum served eight years as District Judge of Perry County, and 11 years on the Arkansas State Claims Commission, during which he served his last 6 years as Chairman. He served 10 years on the Arkansas Highway Commission.

Charlie Strong ’82
Distinguished Alumnus

Head football coach at the University of South Florida, a two-time conference coach of the year and was inducted into the 51��¥ Hall of Fame in 2009. Since 1995, Strong has coached 15 players selected in the first round of the NFL Draft and had 37 taken in the first four rounds.

Sue Voegele ’62
Alumni Service Award

Currently on her second term on the Alumni Board of Directors where she serves on the scholarship committee. She also served as the chairman for the Class of 1962 Half Century Club Induction as well as the Alpha Sigma Tau Housing Committee.

UCA Alumna Named Conway Teacher Of The Year

UCA Magazine Staff — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 18:12:11 +0000

Anita Cegers-Coleman ’95, ’99 was named the Conway School District Teacher of the Year for 2016-2017. Known as “Mrs. CC” to her students, she currently teaches at Ruth Doyle Middle School and has previously taught at Conway Junior High School and Bob and Betty Courtway Middle School. She is a National Board Certified teacher and was also named “Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year” in 2004.

Coding Academy Graduates Inaugural Class

UCA Magazine Staff — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 18:04:12 +0000

The first class of the at the 51��¥ graduated on Monday, Nov. 14, 2016 in a special ceremony in the McCastlain Hall Fireplace Room. The Arkansas Coding Academy is part of UCA’s Division of Outreach and Community Engagement and provides turnkey education and training opportunities to individuals seeking new careers in information technology.

Shown (from left to right) are David Jones, instructor; Zidan Suid; Daniel Adams; Zach Little; Andrew Ott; Michael Wilson; Daniel Brinker; Jackson Mix; Chris Carlise; Dianne Doyle; Gabriel Martindale; Karen Fletcher; Carson Hunter; Chandler Gains; Teresa Belew; and Mary Dunlap, Arkansas Coding Academy director.

Greg Hunt Memorial Golf Tournament

UCA Magazine Staff — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 18:04:40 +0000

The Greg Hunt Memorial Golf Tournament was held on Friday, Oct. 21, 2016 at Nutters Chapel Golf and Country Club. The event was a fundraiser for the Gregory E. Hunt Scholarship. Hunt was a charter member of the Black Alumni Chapter and member of the UCA Alumni Association board.

Women’s Giving Circle Awards 2016-2017 Grants

Chelsea Huckabay — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 18:14:41 +0000

(left to right) Dr. Pat Cantrell, grant recipient; 51��¥ Board of Trustees Chair Elizabeth Farris, ’77; Sandy Longhorn, grant recipient; Dr. Azida Walker, grant recipient; Dr. Anita Sego, grant recipient; Li Zeng, grant recipient; Shelia Vaught ’71, member of the 51��¥ Board of Trustees; and former UCA First Lady Melissa Courtway.

The Women’s Giving Circle at the 51��¥ awarded five grants for the 2016-2017 academic year. Established in 2014, the Women’s Giving Circle allocates grant awards, which encourage unique learning and leadership opportunities that will enrich the lives of women and girls. The grants awarded ranged from $500 to $1700.

Foundation Scholarship Dinner

UCA Magazine Staff — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 18:24:17 +0000

The annual UCA Foundation Scholarship reception was held on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016 at the historic McCastlain Hall Ballroom. The annual event provides scholarship recipients the opportunity to thank donors and share stories of how their generosity has affected their lives.

UCA Alumna Recipient of National Librarian Award

Chelsea Huckabay — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 18:08:15 +0000

Jamille Rogers ’04, ’06 was named a winner of the “I Love My Librarian” Award. She was one of only 10 librarians in the country to receive the national honor and the first in the state of Arkansas. Rogers received a $5,000 prize at an award ceremony and reception hosted by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, which co-sponsors the award along with The New York Public Library and the New York Times. The American Library Association administers the award. Rogers is currently using her award platform to help raise money to enhance her school library media center. She is a member of the UCA Alumni Association and Black Alumni Chapter, and she also serves on the UCA Diversity Advisory Committee.

Friends of Music Gala

UCA Magazine Staff — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 18:30:17 +0000

The Friends of Music Gala and fundraising event was held Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016 in the recently remodeled McCastlain Hall Ballroom and featured UCA faculty and students. Proceeds from the event benefit the UCA Department of Music.