The Arkansas State Legislature created the Arkansas State Normal School, now known as the University of Central Arkansas, in 1907 by passage of Act 317 on May 14. The purpose of The Arkansas State Normal School was to properly train students to become professional teachers and centralize teacher training. Classes began September 21, 1908 with nine academic departments, one building on 80 acres (320,000 m2), 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.
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.[3] In fall 2006, 12,330 students were enrolled at UCA.[4] 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.
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, Dr. Allen Meadors was presented as the new president to the Board of Trustees. The event took place in Wingo Hall. Dr. Meadors was a UCA Alumnus who received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Thomas Courtway was appointed the 10th President of UCA in 2012.
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 mass communication students launched The Fountain (now The Fountain Magazine), a daily source of news and information. The student-created website is named "The Fountain," after the historic landmark located at the university's campus. The Fountain merged with The Echo, UCA's oldest student media outlet, in January 2014 to combine print and online resources. The Fountain Magazine was created following the merger.
The University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Arkansas, 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.
