The University of Central Arkansas is now home to the Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts and is poised to strengthen its position as a leader in the arts community and make Conway an artistic anchor for the region. The 114,000-square-foot facility situated at the corner of Donaghey Avenue and Bruce Street holds a concert hall, a percussion suite, a recital hall, a photography studio, a 190-seat black box theater, rehearsal and design spaces, classrooms and much more.

The much-anticipated project is made possible by a $20 million gift from the Windgate Foundation, the largest single gift in 每日大赛网站 history. The Alice L. Walton Foundation dedicated $3 million to the project. The 每日大赛网站 Foundation also received significant contributions for the project from the Sunderland Foundation, the Bridges-Larson Foundation, the Hearst Foundation, and the Munro Foundation.

鈥淚n addition to generous donations from foundations, the Windgate project also received more than $419,000 from 121 individual donors and couples. These gifts are an excellent example of how private funding allows us as a university to do things we would not be able to do otherwise,鈥� said Mary Bane Lackie, vice president of University Advancement and president of the 每日大赛网站 Foundation. 鈥淭hese funds all count toward our 每日大赛网站 Now comprehensive capital campaign to raise $100 million.鈥�

Along with the Windgate Foundation鈥檚 generous gift of $20 million, the 每日大赛网站 Board of Trustees authorized the university to issue more than $25 million in bonds for the project.

鈥淭he more private money we can raise, the more we can advance academic prosperity and pedagogy,鈥� said Greg Weber, senior director of development for the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.

Before arriving at 每日大赛网站, Weber spent three decades as an arts executive and producer of opera and other theatrical works. His toolbox of knowledge has been instrumental in anticipating various needs for equipment and other accompaniments needed for Windgate.

鈥淎 performing art space is only built typically once every 50 to 70 years,鈥� Weber said. 鈥淪o you have one shot over three generations to get this right. You have to make certain not only that it鈥檚 built but also that you have all the necessary equipment. Understand those core needs; that it鈥檚 not just the space we want, we also want the tools the students need to make this a world-class facility.鈥�

鈥淲e programmed this building five years ago,鈥� said Shauna Meador 鈥�92, chair of 每日大赛网站鈥檚 Department of Film, Theatre, and Creative Writing. 鈥淲hen Greg found out we had not originally specked projectors for this space, it became his goal. He made a great effort to help us achieve a grant for $60,000 worth of equipment. This is important equipment that our students learn how to use because projection is happening a lot in the production of theatre now.鈥�

Meador has a long history with 每日大赛网站 theatre that began in 1973 when she saw her first play on campus as a child.

鈥淚 remember where I sat in the audience, and I remember being completely in awe of it. But I didn鈥檛 remember I had seen it here until I was going through some old cards and stuff. I found the program and realized the play I鈥檇 seen was in the theater I鈥檓 teaching at now.鈥�

Meador also earned a theater degree from 每日大赛网站 and met her husband, associate professor of art Scott Meador, while they were undergraduates at 每日大赛网站. She became chair in 2019, making her journey with 每日大赛网站 full circle.

She said support from the Bridges-Larson Foundation has changed the program, the university and the community. The James M. Bridges Black Box Theatre is named in honor of 每日大赛网站鈥檚 2012 Distinguished Alumni award recipient, a Hollywood movie producer, director and screenwriter who kickstarted the foundation along with actor and writer Jack Larson.

Windgate, Meador said, will allow students to work with all brand new, state-of-the-art equipment and take full advantage of learning the technology that goes into the production of theatre as well as stagecraft and other practical skills they can use beyond theatre.

鈥淲e鈥檙e not just training students to go into theater; we鈥檙e training them to go into other parts of the entertainment industry,鈥滿eador said. 鈥淭hey can work on a lighting system here, and ultimately, they may be able to do concert lighting on tour with somebody. This will provide our students with familiarity with equipment that is being used in the industry.鈥�

Trey Ewart, a junior theatre major from Bentonville, was still in high school when he learned 每日大赛网站 would be getting a brand-new art center. The Windgate Center is a big reason Ewart chose 每日大赛网站.

鈥淚 had gotten really into the theater after I quit playing football due to a nasty concussion. I wanted to step away from that, so I got into the technical aspects of theatre,鈥� Ewart said.

Ewart started working backstage jobs as a stagehand or assistant stage manager; then, he landed professional opportunities in northwest Arkansas with a few companies. By his senior year of high school, he started doing lighting designs for his school鈥檚 theatre productions.

鈥淎fter my first one, I said, 鈥極kay. I might try to make a career out of this鈥�,鈥� said Ewart, who is now the lead student lighting designer for 每日大赛网站 theater. 鈥淵ou get to be a part of the story in a sense. Because you control the feel of the room, you can make colors pop and choose what to highlight and what to hide. There鈥檚 a lot of cool stuff you can do with lights and thematic things you can bring to the forefront.鈥�

Ewart is looking forward to working in the new space, which he says already has a lot of aspects not yet available in most shops.

The Windgate Center allows 每日大赛网站 to foster collaborative partnerships between students across art disciplines within the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.

鈥淥ne of the examples is Kristin Lewis as an artist-in-residence where she will be performing with the Conway Symphony Orchestra. Her residency will also include an art exhibit to feature her garments and a four-dimensional art-and-time concepts class focused on her visit,鈥� said Amanda Horton 鈥�95, 每日大赛网站鈥檚 executive director of Public Appearances. Lewis 鈥�99, a world-renowned opera singer, received the 2022 Distinguished Alumni award. 鈥淭he students not only get time with the professional artists, but their visits in Windgate also allow for greater collaboration between the arts.鈥�

Bryan Massey Sr., chair of the 每日大赛网站 Department of Art and Design, has already been in discussions about collaborating with students in the College of Business and the interior design program. He says his students are already enjoying the extra space they have in which to create. The art studio allows Massey to expand the program and its outreach, and students can now have more hands-on experience even in the introductory classes.

鈥淚n the [Schichtl] sculpture area where I taught students, we had one small room where we taught wax making, mold making and plaster work. In the new studio, each area has its own space,鈥� Massey said. 鈥淭he students have given a lot of positive feedback so far about their new work area.鈥�

Massey also donated to the Windgate Center by having the sculpture studio named for both his grandmothers.

鈥淢y grandmothers were instrumental in getting me to where I am today,鈥� Massey said.

鈥淭here is nothing like having praying grandmothers, so in order to keep their memory alive, I decided to name the sculpture studios after my grandmothers. My father鈥檚 mother鈥檚 name was Beulah Cogdell, and my mom鈥檚 mother was named Lille Mae Penny. It is called the Cogdell-Penny Sculpture Studio, and it鈥檚 where we teach all aspects of sculpture from stone carving to fabrication to casting.鈥�

Massey and his wife made an additional donation to the Windgate Center that will name the main art office inside Windgate after him (after some encouragement from his wife). It is named the Bryan W. Massey Sr. Chairs Office Suite of Art and Design.

The Windgate Center will be an addition 鈥� not a replacement 鈥� to the robust and world-renowned performing art events held annually at the 1,200-seat Donald W. Reynolds Performance Hall. Windgate will allow 每日大赛网站 to offer a variety of performances. Amanda Horton oversees events at both Windgate and Reynolds.

鈥淲e will be presenting public appearances with professional artists in the Windgate concert hall,鈥� Horton said. 鈥淭his gives us an opportunity to present niche artists and acts we would not typically feature at Reynolds. Reynolds is built for big, spectacular broadway shows and large concerts. Windgate offers spaces that are more intimate with incredible acoustics specifically designed for classical, jazz and alternative music, to name a few.鈥�

The optimized acoustics will make for a better performance venue for some plays as well. Many modern plays have much smaller casts. 鈥淲hen performing in a space better suited to be an auditorium, the actors can tend to get lost,鈥� Meador said.

The James M. Bridges Black Box Theatre will serve as the premiere venue for Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre, the state鈥檚 only professional Shakespeare theater. Chad Bradford 鈥�06, who was named managing director of AST in June 2022, has worked with the program since 2007. He is grateful and excited about the new space for the intimate and immersive experience it will offer the audience and actors.

鈥淚n my intro to theatre classes, I talk about what makes theater, and one of those things is the actor-audience dynamic 鈥� that makes it different from film,鈥� Bradford said. 鈥淭his space, with its size, scope and state-of-the-art technology, will allow a special, sublime kind of feeling to emerge from our shows. Because, at the end of the day, theater is really a transformational art form. I really do think that the theater is going to allow us to do our art even better than we could before. It is so nice to be able to say that this is our new home for a new season.鈥�

Those interested in making a gift to the building or to student scholarships can contact Greg Weber, senior director of development, at gweber@uca.edu or (501) 852-2606.

The Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts represents a significant investment in the music program at the University of Central Arkansas and the future of music education in the region and across the country.

The spacious and modern building is aesthetically pleasing but has been designed with acoustics and functionality in mind. One of the most impressive features of the new building is the concert hall, which is not only visually stunning, but also equipped with acoustics that have been carefully designed to ensure the highest level of sound quality.

鈥淭he recital hall in Snow Fine Arts seated somewhere around 250 bodies, but the new recital hall at the Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts will seat 450,鈥� said Brent Shires, associate professor of music and brass chamber music coordinator.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 an important number because it鈥檚 small enough that things feel intimate and the hall feels full, but it鈥檚 large enough to accommodate our audience sizes for day-to-day recitals. To have a full hall is important psychologically for the performer, but even more importantly, it鈥檚 a big deal acoustically because the bodies in the seats change how the sounds play out.鈥�

In addition to the new and improved concert hall, the Windgate Center also has a range of rehearsal spaces and practice rooms that cater to the needs of students and faculty.

Jacob Rodriguez, a student ambassador from Foreman, Arkansas, plays the trumpet for the Bear Marching Band. He says he was blown away the first time he entered the building.

鈥淚t鈥檚 so state-of-the-art, and it feels like you鈥檝e been transported into this brand new, really cool place,鈥� Rodriguez said. 鈥淎 new multi-million dollar building really shows the music students that 每日大赛网站 cares about them and finds value in the arts. When they were building it, the fencing around the construction site said, 鈥楨xpanding the arts in Arkansas.鈥� I thought that was impactful especially because other places are cutting art programs, but 每日大赛网站 is investing in it.鈥�

Nia Kelley, a sophomore vocal performance major from North Little Rock, had her eye on 每日大赛网站 since attending the summer Arkansas Choral Connection choir camps starting in middle school. She was in awe when she first visited the choir room inside the Windgate Center.

鈥淭he colors are so vibrant, and we have so much more space,鈥� Kelley said. 鈥淵ou can sing out, enjoy yourself and have the space you need to be able to move around. The new auditorium and sound system will not only allow us to make quality music but also to record quality music and put on amazing productions.鈥�

The building will allow 每日大赛网站 to expand its arts programming and foster collaborative partnerships across academic disciplines, attract more artists and offer more opportunities for growth.

鈥� 每日大赛网站 has always had a strong music program, and we have always been a leader in the state and in the region, all the way back to Homer Brown back in the day up until present day,鈥� said Shires. 鈥淭he legacy of the Department of Music is moving forward. We should be immensely proud of where we are headed toward the future. The Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts shows that we can put together mind-blowing facilities, programs, teaching opportunities, and performances for our students and our community. It shows the world how invested 每日大赛网站 is in the futures of our students.鈥�

Overall, the new building at 每日大赛网站 is a game-changer for the music department faculty and students. The contemporary facility provides students the resources they need to excel in their program while pursuing their passion for music. It is a testament to the commitment of 每日大赛网站 to provide its students with the best possible education and prepare them for success in their careers.

鈥淭his new facility is going to leave people with the impression of not only our amazing faculty, amazing students, and amazing music, but an amazing place where all of this happens on campus,鈥� said Shires. 鈥淭hat sends a signal on a national level that we are one of the major players in the music scene. This new building represents our forward direction as a university and as the center of music in Arkansas.鈥�

Since its beginning more than 20 years ago, the University of Central Arkansas鈥� artists-in-residence program has been inspiring faculty, students and the surrounding community. Showcasing nationally and internationally recognized artists, authors, design specialists, journalists, musicians, vocal artists and others, this program has become a vibrant part of the curriculum 鈥� inspiring graduate and undergraduate students alike. An additional benefit that sets 每日大赛网站鈥檚 program apart from other universities is that it is also free to a community that may not otherwise have access to such acclaimed artists.

The earliest known artist residencies began in 16th century Europe and expanded as academics grew worldwide. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, artists would isolate to find inspiration. The pendulum swung back in the 1960s when British visual artists Barbara Steveni and John Latham founded the Artist Placement Group, which became one of the first major residencies to introduce visual artists into institutions of higher learning with a focus to bridge the gap between academia and the working class.

Increased globalization in the 1980s and 90s made artist residencies even more popular, and by the turn of the century, 每日大赛网站 embraced this program model to meet the needs of students and the community.

In February 2000, the 每日大赛网站 Board of Trustees approved the Fine and Performing Arts Fee with the express purpose of 鈥渆xpanding artistic opportunities that supplement and enhance university life and academic programs.鈥� The fee ensures a consistent revenue plan while providing a significant budget.

Gayle Seymour, associate dean in the 每日大赛网站 College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, says the budget funds between 15 to 20 artists each year with around 100 activities that include readings, performances, showcases and workshops. With this sustainable budget, 每日大赛网站 can reach more artists, bring them to campus and schedule events for students and the community, thus spreading impact and inspiration and bridging the gap between academia and the community.

The purpose of the artist-in-residence program is to offer more than just quantity. Quality is at the forefront of the experience. Students are inspired by artists in their field of study when meeting the artists and learning more about their profession. This connection inspires students to forge ahead with their career goals and continue to graduation.

鈥淪tudents report that there is nothing quite like having an accomplished artist work alongside them,鈥� Seymour said. 鈥淭hey report being inspired by the experience especially when artists are able to convey to students, 鈥業 was here just like you, and this is what I did to achieve my goals and make a difference in my life.鈥欌��

The impact offered by the program adds to 每日大赛网站鈥檚 national prominence as a university offering artist-in-residence experiences throughout the academic year. By bringing artists from different attitudes, experiences and geographic locations, students who may otherwise feel isolated get to relate to fresh, new perspectives. This expansion in worldview adds to the inspirational impact and knowledge base felt by students on 每日大赛网站鈥檚 campus.

Community members are also encouraged to attend artist-in-residence readings and performances. The events are free to the public and are held on 每日大赛网站鈥檚 campus or in close venues. This sharing of artistic riches inspires students in area K-12 schools by providing a view of 每日大赛网站鈥檚 campus life and what the school has to offer. It also furthers the artistic interests of people in Conway, Little Rock and other towns in Arkansas.

In addition to bolstering student and community interest in the arts, the program offers great inspiration and opportunity to the visiting artists. Seymour says artists become inspired when they visit the campus. She believes that 每日大赛网站鈥檚 location makes it unique in that students here are hungry and appreciative of the experience.

鈥淲hat I hear from our artists is without exception how inquisitive, interested and hungry our students are,鈥� Seymour said. 鈥淲e get lots of artists who come and they say 鈥榊ou know, you guys are doing stuff at 每日大赛网站 that nobody else is doing.鈥� Sometimes they will say that from the stage and I like to think 鈥極kay, I hope everybody is listening to this.鈥欌��

The 每日大赛网站 artist-in-residence program has hosted diverse artists working in varying genres including authors, musical artists, visual artists and writers. Past authors include Ibtisam Barakat, Sarah Broom, Jericho Brown, Marita Golden and Kiese Laymon. Musical performances included artists such as opera star Cecilia L贸pez or the Ivalas Quartet. Dance performances have also been offered. One such experience included dance as healing via 鈥淎keem Ayanniyi and Core Dance Public Performance: Planetary Dance for Community Renewal鈥� as part of the Facilitating Pandemic Healing through the Arts series in spring 2022. Most recently, world-renowned paper sculptor Fabiola Jean-Louis who, as part of a $30,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, spent a three-month visual art residency at 每日大赛网站 in spring 2023.

Seymour says interesting developments are on the horizon for the future of 每日大赛网站鈥檚 artist residencies. Since the fusion of the former College of Fine Arts and Communication and the College of Liberal Arts, there will be more professors who submit proposals and with that, new artists being brought to campus. The word 鈥渢rust鈥� comes to mind for Seymour as she believes the artist-in-residence program is one where the artists, students and community trusts the university to bring inspiration by way of diversity, vision and impact, thus making 鈥渢he artist-in-residence program supported by the fine and performing arts fee the jewel in 每日大赛网站鈥檚 crown.鈥�

Memphis-based interior designer Carmeon Hamilton鈥檚 鈥�08 premiere focus in her work is the psychology behind the design.

Hamilton鈥檚 childhood home in West Memphis was always pulled together beautifully. She remembers her mother was fashionable and had a natural knack for decorating and creating spaces that felt warm, inviting and peaceful.

鈥淚 know what our home felt like. When I would go to other homes, it didn鈥檛 always have the same feeling. My mom was very particular about the details 鈥� from the plants she had to the types of dishes we ate from. She even put up multiple Christmas trees every year.鈥� It wasn鈥檛 until several years later that Hamilton could put words to those feelings.

Excelling in the classroom and on the basketball court in high school, Hamilton received several academic and athletic scholarship offers. She decided the University of Central Arkansas would be the best fit for her. 鈥淚 chose not to play basketball, but I didn鈥檛 want to stray too far away from the environment of sports. Physical therapy seemed like a good fit for me at the time,鈥� Hamilton said.

Hamilton lost her academic scholarship after her sophomore year. 鈥淚 was overdoing it,鈥� she said. Some semesters she enrolled in several intense and time-consuming classes, at times totaling more than 18 credit hours. 鈥淚 wanted to make sure I didn鈥檛 become a professional student. I was aiming to graduate within four years.鈥�

The setback would lead to a new journey from which she never looked back.

鈥淒esign found me,鈥� she said.

Entering her junior year, Hamilton applied to be a resident assistant to cover some of the cost.

She was assigned to Carmichael Hall and would have her own room. The space and autonomy served as a blank canvas for the future designer. 鈥淚t had cinder block walls and VCT [vinyl composition tile] floors. I don鈥檛 remember if it was white or gray. It just felt cold, and I wanted the opposite of that. I wanted it to feel as much like a studio apartment as possible.鈥�

Hamilton told her mom about her vision which would have a hot pink and zebra print theme. Together they found a plethora of hot pink and zebra items, including fabric they used for pillows, curtains and lampshades.

鈥淢y mom, who was a teacher, was big on inspirational sayings. She printed several quotes on hot pink construction paper and laminated them to hang in the room. There was a lot of hot pink and zebra in that room.鈥�

Hamilton no longer has photos of the space and struggles to remember all the details, but she remembers being very pleased with the results. One of her friends encouraged Hamilton to look into 每日大赛网站鈥檚 interior design program.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know interior design could be a career, let alone something you could study at a university,鈥� Hamilton said. 鈥淭he next day, I went and talked to the dean and decided to change my major within 10 minutes of talking to her.鈥�

Hamilton says everything that affected the way her life is today happened the week of August 6, 2006. 鈥淚 started my RA job. I met my husband, and I changed my major to interior design within three days of each other,鈥� Hamilton said. 鈥淎t the time, I knew I was smart and capable, but I never saw myself as being where I am today.鈥�

Hamilton鈥檚 first opportunity to be a professional designer came during one of her senior seminar classes at 每日大赛网站. The professor had invited a colleague who happened to be the vice president of an interior design department for a health care company.

鈥淚 was the only person in the class that had a finalized presentation by the deadline. My professor鈥檚 colleague offered me a job on the spot. She told me, 鈥業 love what you did, but I am more impressed that you were prepared.鈥� Being prepared has been what I lived by ever since.鈥�

Hamilton started her new job in Fort Smith, Arkansas, two weeks after graduation. She learned a lot about commercial interior design, including reviewing facilities, developing design plans for dementia units and working with clients. That experience shaped Hamilton into an even more thoughtful designer.

鈥淚 started gaining a deeper understanding of how certain colors affect moods as we designed around people鈥檚 favorite memories,鈥� Hamilton said. 鈥淲itnessing how the environments were aiding their health and a better existence helped me understand how important the role of an interior designer is. It is not just to make a space pretty, but it is also to transform how people feel in the space.鈥�

Knowing how interior design can affect an atmosphere, mood and overall well-being has been a driving force for Hamilton for the past 12 years. That, she says, is one reason she did not enjoy working in retail.

鈥淚 got fired as a design consultant because I stunk at sales,鈥� Hamilton said. 鈥淚 would tell clients not to buy certain things because it wasn鈥檛 worth their money. Going from the sales side to the environmental side 鈥� making sure people felt something when they walk in a store 鈥� was more my style. The way we feel in an environment can affect how much money we spend, how our food tastes, how much fun we have.鈥�

Today, Hamilton is an interior designer and lifestyle blogger who has created and grown her brand, Nubi Interiors, into a successful business.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 go after being on a design show or having a TV show. I didn鈥檛 strive to be a lead buyer of a retail brand, but I was prepared when those opportunities came along. Learning and absorbing as much as possible keeps me prepared. It鈥檚 that 鈥榠f-you-stay-ready-you-ain鈥檛-gotta-get-ready鈥� mentality that I subscribe to.鈥�

In 2020, Hamilton was named a rising star in the design world by 鈥淎rchitectural Digest.鈥� In 2021, she participated in and won HGTV鈥檚 competition show 鈥淒esign Star: Next Gen.鈥� She also hosts the HGTV series 鈥淩eno My Rental,鈥� which began streaming in 2021 shortly after her husband of ten years, Marcus Hamilton 鈥�07, was hit and killed in a motorcycle accident by an intoxicated driver. She shared on social media he would have wanted her to keep pursuing her dreams.

鈥淣ubi is a nickname my husband gave me, which was short for Nubian princess. He is actually the person who named my company. We also liked the play on the words 鈥楴ubi鈥� and 鈥業nterior鈥�. You hear 鈥楴ubian鈥� when you say it,鈥� Hamilton said.

Hamilton wants people to recognize the beauty that surrounds them in everyday life.

鈥淚f I can open your eyes to something that you see every day and may have ignored 鈥� like a houseplant 鈥� and convince you about how much of a difference they make in a space, that makes me happy. That is the influence I want to have: enlightening people to see the beauty of the everyday.鈥�

Education consultant and coach Teri Cox-Meadows 鈥�90, 鈥�94 understands the hardships of a first-generation student with limited-to-no income trying to better their life with a college education. With that understanding, she has made it her mission to give hope to children by means of music and education.

The current owner of a consulting company and founder of Daryl鈥檚 Music Makers, a nonprofit organization specializing in providing music and education to impoverished children worldwide, Cox-Meadows grew up in 鈥渁 trailer park, literally the wrong side of the tracks鈥� in Bryant, Arkansas. With no expectation or encouragement at home to further her education, she encountered a band director and a doctor who believed in her and helped her to dream.

鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 expected to go to college. It wasn鈥檛 anything that anybody in my family thought of, but I knew inside myself that was my way out,鈥� and with the help of her band director, she earned a music scholarship at the University of Central Arkansas for playing the trumpet. This was what allowed her 鈥渢o dream about 每日大赛网站.鈥� The scholarship got her in, but the financial hardship did not end there.

A couple of weeks before she was supposed to report to campus, Cox-Meadows received a call while she was working at Camp Aldersgate. She learned she still owed a substantial amount for room and board 鈥� an amount she had no way of paying.

鈥淚 just didn鈥檛 have it. I hung up the phone, and I just started crying. I turned around and there was a guy behind me, Dr. Kelsey Kaplan. He looked at me and said, 鈥業 need you to take a breath and tell me what鈥檚 going on.鈥欌��

Kaplan listened to her story. The next day, she got a call from 每日大赛网站 stating her room and board had been paid by an 鈥渁nonymous donor鈥� and that she could come to school for the fall semester.

鈥淚 just knew it was Dr. Kaplan. He never admitted to it 鈥� but I knew it was him.鈥�

Cox-Meadows went on to work three jobs to save up money for room and board for the spring semester. The music scholarship, her jobs and the anonymous donation settled the cost.

鈥淸With] what Dr. Kaplan had done for me, I was able to get there and stay there. It was a huge blessing 鈥� absolutely life-changing for me,鈥� Cox-Meadows said. 鈥淭he first semester, at the end of the semester, I sent Dr. Kaplan a letter from the president saying that I had made the President鈥檚 List. I mailed a copy to him and one to my mother that just said, 鈥楳erry Christmas.鈥欌��

Cox-Meadows went on to earn bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees at 每日大赛网站. In 2010, she earned a doctorate in educational leadership from Walden University. She never forgot about the donation and has paid it forward in spades.

Her nonprofit organization Daryl鈥檚 Music Makers provides instruments, teachers and other supplies to cultivate a love of music. The program serves more than 1,200 children annually in the Dominican Republic, Haiti and several music camps all across the United States. Cox-Meadows created the nonprofit in memory of her husband Daryl Cox who passed away in March 2012.

鈥淵ou want to do something that helps make a legacy. Daryl and I were not able to have kids and so as a way of trying to honor his memory and support causes that would make him smile, I founded Music Makers. We take hope and a future to kids through music and education across the world. It is literally about exposing kids to music, education, and hope in the future that they can have through those.鈥�

In addition to music education, the program teaches English and reading, provides food and water and awards scholarships in the United States. Cox-Meadows said each partnership is different, giving what is most needed and then expanding to music by providing lessons and instruments.

Attending 每日大赛网站 allowed Cox-Meadows to see the possibilities and impact education can make in life. Now she gives hope to others.

鈥淢y life is about giving back to others because I have been given to and had I not been given to, then my life would have been totally different 鈥� because of what people have poured into me, I鈥檓 allowed to pour back to other people.鈥�

Nan Snow 鈥�57

ALUMNA | WRITER | AUTHOR | PHILANTHROPIST | PUBLIC SERVANT | ADVOCATE

For decades, Nan Snow 鈥�57 has been a resounding champion for the cause of women鈥檚 equality.

Throughout her years of service, Snow has been instrumental in improving women鈥檚 economic opportunities and overall well-being. Her work, which has had a substantial impact on the lives of countless individuals, earned her the 2023 University of Central Arkansas Distinguished Alumni Award.

In her early years, Snow lived in the far western part of Oklahoma. As a child, her father was involved in bridge construction, which forced the family to move every time a bridge was completed.

鈥淚t taught me to adapt and do different things and go different places,鈥� Snow said. 鈥淚t was a very busy and fascinating start to life.鈥�

Snow and her family eventually settled in Harrison, Arkansas, which is where she graduated from high school before enrolling at Arkansas State Teachers College.

鈥淚 had always heard good things about it because so many Harrison graduates went to 每日大赛网站 鈥� which was ASTC then,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 would visit my friends there, so I was very familiar with it and wanted very badly to go.鈥�
Snow even received a private tour from Silas Snow, 每日大赛网站鈥檚 fifth and longest-serving president (1953-1975).

鈥淵ou can鈥檛 say 鈥榥o鈥� to that sort of invitation,鈥� Snow said. 鈥淚t really has been, and remains to this day, one of the highlights of my life.鈥� Snow says her college experience opened more doors for her than she ever anticipated.

While in school, Snow was editor of The Echo, secretary of her senior class and vice president of Alpha Sigma Tau. She was also a member of Royal Rooters, Alpha Chi and listed as Who鈥檚 Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities. Snow earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree in journalism in 1957.

Snow鈥檚 interest in writing and journalism began at a young age. Both her grandfathers owned small-town north Arkansas newspapers. Even though both of them sold the newspaper businesses before she was born, Snow believes their careers influenced her. She wrote a poem in 5th grade that was published in the Harrison High School newspaper.

鈥淭hen, I was hooked. 鈥業鈥檓 a writer,鈥� I thought. From then on, that became my interest,鈥� she said.

Snow worked for several newspapers, starting with high school, then college and as a career, 鈥渄oing a little bit of everything.鈥� She experienced inequality which led to a few key 鈥渁-ha鈥� moments that crystallized her drive to fight for change. The first happened in high school when she and some friends wanted to start a girls鈥� basketball team. The superintendent refused, saying it 鈥渨asn鈥檛 lady-like.鈥� Snow would eventually get to play intramural basketball, as well as touch football, for her sorority at 每日大赛网站.

鈥淵ou should鈥檝e seen us; it was hysterical,鈥� she said.

Another 鈥渁-ha鈥� moment for Snow came when she applied for a position at the Arkansas Gazette in 1959 after years of experience in a newsroom.

鈥淚 thought the newspaper would be glad to have my experience and would hire me. But they told me that they did not allow women in the city room,鈥� she said. Years later, the newspaper offered her a reporter position, which she turned down.

Those events and others sparked Snow鈥檚 desire to fight for women鈥檚 equality. She earned two master鈥檚 degrees from Southern Methodist University and shifted her career to public service and advocacy. As a graduate student, Snow interned with the Dallas Chamber of Commerce where she helped develop the first Leadership Dallas program.

Much of Snow鈥檚 career was devoted to working in federal service, and she served for a time as the Federal Women鈥檚 Program coordinator for the five-state Dallas Region. During her federal employment, Snow suggested and implemented a nationwide program to train and employ blind persons in Federal Job Information Centers.

Snow has served on many boards. She was selected as the inaugural chair of the Arkansas Women鈥檚 Hall of Fame, and was named president of the Arkansas affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. She also served as a board member for the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, the Arkansas Women鈥檚 History Institute, LifeQuest of Arkansas and Encore for Women鈥檚 Health.

She was president of the Arkansas Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration and a member of the Arkansas Governor鈥檚 Commission on the Status of Women, which produced a landmark report still used as a benchmark on women鈥檚 status.

鈥淲e were very proud that we published the first complete report about women that had been done in literally dozens of years. I was very proud to be a part of that and it did make a lot of difference,鈥� Snow said. 鈥淔or example, in one of the state agencies 鈥� the State Department of Education 鈥� when a young high school girl became pregnant, she was expelled. We got that changed. We felt she especially needed to continue her education with having a child to support. Plus, there was no penalty for the boy involved. That was one of our biggest successes, to give opportunities for those young women.鈥�

Snow鈥檚 work with the commission fueled her passion and led to even more equality work. She met like-minded changemakers across the country through conferences and other networking events, including newspaper publisher, civic activist and governmental official Dorothy Stuck (1921-2021). Stuck and Snow formed a management and public relations firm in Little Rock called 鈥淪tuck & Snow Resultants.鈥�

Snow authored two books that reached the bestseller list in Arkansas. 鈥淩oberta: A Most Remarkable Fulbright,鈥� which she co-authored with Stuck, received an award of commendation from the American Association of State and Local History. Her second book, 鈥淟etters Home,鈥� is a World War II memoir.

Snow is a founder and charter member of the 每日大赛网站 Women鈥檚 Giving Circle, a member of the 每日大赛网站 Purple Circle and, most recently, the inspiration for the C.D. Wright Women Writers Conference. She was part of the Arkansas Women鈥檚 Foundation, which started 鈥淕irls of Promise.鈥� She helped 每日大赛网站 faculty and staff start 鈥淕irls of Promise鈥� at 每日大赛网站, which is now 每日大赛网站鈥檚 鈥淕irl Power in Stem.鈥�

As president of Komen and a breast cancer survivor, Snow created a fundraising project called 鈥�4 Survivors, 4 Rivers, 4 a Cure,鈥� in which she and three other survivors rafted four rivers, raising $10,000 for the foundation.

She also served as a board member for Southern Methodist University鈥檚 Archives of Women of the Southwest. She was among those honored by the archives in its 鈥淩emember the Ladies鈥� program.
In spite of all her accomplishments, being honored with 每日大赛网站鈥檚 most distinguished recognition came as a surprise to Snow.

鈥淲hen I got the call from President Houston Davis, and he told me that I had been selected, I think my response is best described as a total shock,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was not something I had ever expected. I really was floored by the news and flattered and honored at the same time. It means a great deal to me.鈥�

Marlie Allgood 鈥�18

From her beginnings taking art classes at a local church in Cabot, Arkansas, to a studio educator at the famed Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art located in Bentonville, Arkansas, Marlie Allgood 鈥�18 did not foresee her future as an educator. After completing her degree at the University of Central Arkansas, followed by some traveling, she got the opportunity to return to her home state and work in both painting and teaching, thereby experiencing the best of art and education.

Allgood recognized her interest in art, specifically painting in oils, during her junior high school years when she participated in art classes and athletics. As she entered high school, her focus had shifted to art alone.

鈥淚 was finally like, 鈥業 don鈥檛 really like sports. What am I doing?鈥� And so I really took all kinds of art classes then. That鈥檚 when I started painting and really thought seriously as far as, 鈥業 want to be an artist, and I want to go to art school,鈥欌�� Allgood said.

She started 每日大赛网站 as an art education major and later changed her major to studio art.

鈥淚 had great professors that really encouraged me to take it seriously. I committed to oil being my medium, and that鈥檚 still primarily what I do,鈥� she said.

Her favorite piece was one she made for her senior show at 每日大赛网站, which provided 鈥渁 deep dive into creating it, giving real meaning behind it.鈥�

The summer after graduating, Allgood worked as an intern for professional artists in New York. She then moved to San Diego to work security in a museum there. That experience is what led to her interest in working in museums. After deciding to come back to Arkansas, she was happy to take a job at Crystal Bridges, where she now develops educational programs. Allgood loves this job because she integrates art, education and community work.

鈥淚 deal with art every single day,鈥� Allgood said. 鈥淚 feel lucky to have that because I teach a lot of the kids鈥� art classes. I also organize and plan basically any studio art class that we have here. Our adult studio classes fall under me. So everything I do has some kind of gallery connection incorporating all the art that鈥檚 on the walls and all the amazing stuff we have inside and on the grounds to what we鈥檙e doing in class.鈥�

When discussing how her experience has brought her full circle, Allgood readily recognizes how meaningful Crystal Bridges鈥� learning and engagement classes are for the community. Many of her students attend multiple classes.

鈥淪ometimes they鈥檙e new, but a lot of times it鈥檚 like a core group of kids that are really growing up going into personal practice, and that鈥檚 an experience that most kids in the world don鈥檛 have. I think the most fulfilling thing is just seeing how the kids are getting that encouragement and exposure to the arts, whether they decide to be an artist or anything else.鈥�

The museum also hosts events throughout the year that include art activities and hundreds of participants, creating a space and atmosphere where families and community members can come and spend time together. She enjoys seeing the impact of her work and believes 每日大赛网站鈥檚 art department prepared her for this combination of art, education and community and credits her professors.

鈥淚 felt like I was in a tight knit community where my professors were able to give me one-on-one advice and help, and the fact that they took that very seriously meant that I was very well-prepared. Number one was to be knowledgeable about art, but also to have that experience and professional realm of what it looks like to have an art practice. They definitely put an emphasis on that, and I am thankful for it,鈥� Allgood said.

Daniel Cockrell 鈥�97, 鈥�04

Daniel Cockrell 鈥�97, 鈥�04 is director of the Old State House Museum in Little Rock. He exhibits his passion for Arkansas history and the connections it makes on a worldwide stage by telling Arkansas鈥� story.

Cockrell, whose undergraduate degree was in kinesiology and exercise science, realized he had a passion for Arkansas history when he taught the subject to junior high students at the Palestine Wheatley School District in St. Francis County. In addition to teaching Arkansas history, Cockrell taught social studies and civics while also coaching baseball and football.

He had thought of transitioning into an administrative role, but teaching Arkansas history proved to be the highlight of his day.

鈥淢y favorite class was Arkansas history because this was my story 鈥� our story. These were things that I knew as a young man growing up here,鈥� Cockrell said. 鈥淚 love the stories. I knew I would go back to 每日大赛网站 to get a master鈥檚 in history because that鈥檚 what I loved most about my days.鈥�

While completing his master鈥檚 degree, Cockrell had an opportunity to work as a part-time tour guide at the Old State House Museum. The rest is history.

鈥淚 fell in love with it because it鈥檚 everything I鈥檝e enjoyed about teaching,鈥� Cockrell said. 鈥淭hen there was a full-time educator position that came up, and I was encouraged to apply for that because I loved being a tour guide. So, I get to tell our stories and tell them to people who are amazed by them.鈥�

These stories build connections for the director and strengthen his passion for teaching and learning this state鈥檚 history. Arkansans, Cockrell said, have influenced people all over the world.

The 鈥淧lay It Loud: Concerts at Barton Coliseum鈥� exhibit at the museum features memorabilia from concerts of various genres. Cockrell says music serves well as a conduit for the connections he makes with visitors.

鈥淚t allows me a quicker connection to people from all over the world. I can work with a piece of knowledge that they already own鈥攎usic,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hen I am no longer a foreign person trying to teach something they do not know about. I鈥檓 someone just helping them gain a better understanding of something they already have an appreciation for.鈥�

Cockrell credits a great team and the museum鈥檚 mission for his success as director. They are 鈥渢he best in the field because they created the field鈥� of Arkansas history.

鈥淥ur goal is to better understand who we are and where we came from. I want everyone that walks through our doors to feel like there鈥檚 something about Arkansas that is a part of them 鈥� that they feel represented within these walls,鈥� Cockrell said.

The team works together in research, archives and building exhibits that tell Arkansas鈥� rich story while making connections. This community outreach of the museum is termed by Cockrell as 鈥渋nvaluable.鈥� They are already making plans to commemorate the building鈥檚 200th anniversary in 2033.

Cockrell said his time at 每日大赛网站 prepared him for his various classrooms by showing him how he can make connections through critical thinking and creating empathy through the humanities. He believes the family dynamic at 每日大赛网站 provided him a unique pathway to share history in an engaging way for visitors.

鈥淚 get the chance to talk to people from all over the world about my hometown, about where I grew up and my home state. The amazing characters that have come through here in the past, they do all the heavy lifting for me. All I do is tell their stories.鈥�

On a given night at the Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center, one can hear a mix of languages spoken from its classrooms. That is the satisfying sound of the Community Language School.

The University of Central Arkansas outreach program offers foreign language classes to students, employees and community members. During the summertime, it hosts Bear Camps, welcoming children from ages 5 to 13 for weeklong deep dives into a new language.

鈥淧eople take these classes to engage people on a familiar level,鈥� said David House, the Community Language School director and a lecturer of Japanese at 每日大赛网站. 鈥淓ven if it means being only able to say greetings or ask simple questions, speaking in another person鈥檚 native language means you鈥檙e meeting someone on more positive terms. That can lead to a new friendship or make a difference in a professional setting.鈥�

Created in 2007, the Community Language School started as a program exclusively for elementary students and offered courses including Arabic, French and Mandarin. At the time, children in the area had few options for foreign language education because many, if not most, elementary schools lacked those classes. 每日大赛网站 sought to address this education gap and encourage a more multilingual society and cultural understanding.

According to the Journal of Child Language, there鈥檚 a reason why children outclass adults in their ability to learn new languages, as the adolescent brain begins developing its memory capabilities and passive learning skills. This makes childhood the sweet spot to learn the rules of a language.

The Community Language School has evolved over time. The program introduced classes for adults, and the ever-changing demand of offerings has made some languages more popular than others. Now, it offers a robust catalog of online classes 鈥� largely developed because of the COVID-19 pandemic 鈥� and has pivoted its classes for elementary-aged children to interactive summer camps.

The Bear Camps are never ones where children sit still. During the 2022 summer camp, children had options in Japanese and Korean in largely regimented days. Mornings were dedicated to exercises to warm up the minds of campers with physical activities connected with a culture, whether it be a Japanese dance, singing a popular Spanish-language song or a game of Red Light, Green Light 鈥� a nod to the popular Korean-language Netflix series, 鈥淪quid Game.鈥� Everything the children partake in is meant to encourage speaking the language and connecting it to practical aspects of that culture.

鈥淲e often show videos of children, a similar age to the camp goers, exploring their native countries and saying the greetings and phrases,鈥� said House. 鈥淎s our students speak these same words, we want them to connect with this new culture.鈥�

Through this engagement, students learn about the aspects of life in another country that may seem familiar and the wondrous parts that are quite different: an introduction to their school life, the cuisine, traditional festivals and forms of entertainment.

The camp ends with students presenting crafts they made, ranging from Day of the Dead masks to traditional crowns from the Korean Silla Dynasty. They recite the colors of the rainbow in a new language, write their names in a different alphabet and use simple phrases. By the end of the week, the campers leave using their newly learned version of 鈥渞ock, paper, scissors鈥� in another language, no doubt engaging their parents and siblings in endless sessions of fun back home.

Year-round, adults gather for classes for an hour-and-a-half a week for 10 weeks.

鈥淭he reasons why people enroll vary,鈥� House said. Sometimes students pick up a language out of a prior interest in the culture, such as influence from a popular K-pop musical genre or Japanese anime. Some are current 每日大赛网站 students who wish to be able to reach out to a friend or classmate among the university鈥檚 sizable international community, while others want to enjoy a new hobby or reach out to others in a society that is increasingly multilingual.

鈥淕iven that over a fifth of U.S. house-holds speak a language other than English and that the percentage of Hispanics in Arkansas has grown tenfold in the past 20 years, offering affordable, convenient language and cultural programming is important,鈥� said Katelyn Knox, the associate director for the School of Language and Literature.

鈥淯ltimately, the Community Language School is about opening doors for people to make a positive impact on others,鈥� House said.

When Stuttgart Park Avenue Elementary library media specialist Tia Brickey 鈥�11 started her college career, she initially wanted to be a dental hygienist. As her undergraduate years progressed, she discovered that she didn鈥檛 have a passion for it. After conferring with a couple of close friends and her academic adviser, Brickey switched her major to elementary education. This, after her adviser stated that an aptitude test indicated she was more inclined to education technology, a result that surprised her.

鈥淚 [originally] went with dental hygiene even though I had a lot of educators in my family. I grew up around teachers and have always loved school and had positive experiences,鈥� Brickey said. 鈥淚 never considered being a teacher going into college 鈥� I remember going to two close friends and some other people and told them what my interest inventory indicated, and everyone said, 鈥極h yeah, you鈥檇 be a great teacher!鈥� And so, I followed that path, and I haven鈥檛 regretted it.鈥�

In 2009, Brickey earned a National Board Certification for Teachers, becoming part of the less than 10% of Arkansas teachers with this certification, the highest professional certification for teachers.

鈥淚t was blood, sweat and tears. It was a grueling process,鈥� said Brickey. 鈥淚t changed how I thought about what I was doing and its impacts on students. The program was intended to be life or career changing, and it was. It was one of the most thrilling things to pass it.鈥�

About a year after earning the certification, Brickey received an email that highlighted shortages in Arkansas, including library media.

鈥淭hey were trying to get people to go into these programs, and they would help pay for the master鈥檚 program, which was very appealing. As I read that email I thought, 鈥榃ell, you know what? I like to read. I think I would like to be a media specialist.鈥欌��

Brickey began researching what schools offered the program, and chose the University of Central Arkansas College of Education because it was nearby, flexible and well-known for its quality and cutting-edge education technology. She says the program prepared her for great things to come.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 know if I can adequately verbalize how well that program prepared me. I came into my school鈥檚 library before completing the program, even still, I walked into the library knowing how to build a collection, knowing how to sift a collection, how to collaborate with teachers and how to build dynamic programs. The word I have for the program is 鈥榩henomenal鈥�,鈥� Brickey said.

鈥淭he instructors were very well-versed and aware of what was happening in the library media world.鈥�

鈥淭here was this change on the horizon with Ed Tech coming and they were already preparing us for the rapid changes.鈥�

During her orientation, Brickey learned that 鈥渂eing a librarian is about more than just promoting literacy. There are so many different hats that you wear. It鈥檚 also about citizenship.鈥�

This citizenship became furthered by her community outreach via a Bookmobile, which she lovingly calls 鈥淏etty.鈥� Brickey and her co-worker and close friend Tawnya Herring run 鈥淏etty鈥� during the summers to help promote literacy and learning.

Brickey and Herring first came up with the idea when they attended a yearly library conference that had a session about bookmobiles. Herring brought up the idea at a dinner after the session.
鈥淪he was telling me about it and I said, 鈥榃e have to do that. We have to make it happen.鈥欌��

The educators started their grant-funded project in 2015 using a food service van and plastic tubs filled with books. As the program grew more popular and more funding became available, they were able to purchase a custom bookmobile in 2019 which was perfect for their summer runs into the community providing books for children and their families in Stuttgart, Arkansas.

Brickey, who is an avid reader and lifelong learner, wanted to spread the joy of reading to the community and improve her students鈥� education.

鈥淭he ultimate goal has always been to promote literacy to combat the 鈥榮ummer slack.鈥� It鈥檚 well documented that kids can lose up to 20% of the literacy gains they made during the school year,鈥� Brickey said. 鈥淭hat can stack up and become two to three grade levels by sixth grade, so we knew we wanted to combat that. We wanted to get out and get books in the hands of kids.鈥�

鈥淲e have a lot of students in our community who don鈥檛 have books in their houses. We鈥檝e seen children from the age of three and now they鈥檙e in middle school. So we鈥檝e had that relationship we鈥檝e built with kids and parents. Parents will come and ask for something they can read together. We鈥檝e learned that our community does have a love for reading.鈥�

Brickey was a semi-finalist for Arkansas Teacher of the Year in 2021. She has also initiated new technologies in her K-4 school which 鈥渓et students lead the way鈥� by learning about coding, robotics and 3-D printing.

The professional and personal legacy Brickey hopes to leave is one of building a future through literacy and learning 鈥� a field that, initially, she hadn鈥檛 thought of entering.

鈥淚 really just want my kids to be readers and understand that literacy not only helps you academically, but it [also] helps you to be a better person. It makes you a better citizen by imparting compassion and empathy.鈥�

每日大赛网站鈥檚 annual Day of Giving event on March 9 saw the largest dollar amount raised in its nine-year tenure. With a total of more than $1.2 million raised, the university is at 94 percent of its $100 million goal for the 每日大赛网站 Now: Impact Arkansas and Beyond campaign. And while the Day of Giving may be counted in dollars and cents, the lasting impact for students, faculty and community is immeasurable.

Funds raised during 每日大赛网站鈥檚 Day of Giving assist students in several ways including emergency funds, the Bear Essentials Food Pantry, scholarships, new learning equipment and research funding. Additionally, the Day of Giving promotes morale by giving everyone an opportunity to participate.

This year鈥檚 event saw the College of Education raise their highest total to date. Dr. Victoria Groves-Scott, dean of the college, said these funds make 鈥渁 huge, huge difference for our students.鈥�

Emergency funds help students in many ways, such as providing gas for student teachers who commute to area schools during their internships. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what really drives the enthusiasm is that we can have contact with these students, we know them, we know their situations, and we know that this money can really make a difference,鈥� she said.

The food pantry at 每日大赛网站 also benefits from Day of Giving Funds. With an average of 428 visits per month, the Bear Essentials Food Pantry is a tool to prevent food insecurity for students, faculty and staff.

鈥淲e rely on donations from different groups to help keep the pantry afloat,鈥� said Food Pantry Coordinator Will Baker. 鈥淚n April, we had 606 visits to the pantry. That鈥檚 roughly 150 people per week. We raised $5,260 during this year鈥檚 Day of Giving and that has helped us buy a lot of food to help support our 每日大赛网站 community. We are just so thankful to have people to help support us. We would like to just say 鈥榯hank you鈥� for helping us help someone else.鈥�

Scholarships and new learning equipment along with funding for research are other vital parts of 每日大赛网站鈥檚 campus benefiting from the Day of Giving鈥檚 immense impact. 鈥淭he amount of money that鈥檚 given to scholarships and the number of students that will benefit from a college degree because of those scholarships changes everything for the individual and their family, so that is a huge legacy,鈥� said Groves-Scott.

Students can also be a part of the Day of Giving through either giving or volunteering. Student Government Association (SGA) 2022-23 executive president Courtney Clawson 鈥�23 said Day of Giving has many benefits for the student body. Every year, SGA matches the amount given by students and then they choose a different 每日大赛网站 Foundation scholarship fund to support in order to help as many students as possible.

Students also volunteer by taking donations at the SGA鈥檚 table on Day of Giving at the Ronnie Williams Student Center. Clawson said the best part of that is the opportunity to see students getting involved and giving back in whatever way they can. Students supporting each other builds a connection. 鈥淎nd, so I think students are seeing that [and] they鈥檙e like, 鈥極h! We can actually do this,鈥� and it builds morale on campus,鈥� she said.

Different colleges participate in Day of Giving with creative approaches that bring in faculty and student participation. The College of Education had a table in front of Mashburn where students could drop a quarter in a bucket and receive a hand-made trinket. This allows all students to participate and have a reminder that they gave. 鈥淓very little bit helps, and we want them to know that right away,鈥� said Groves-Scott.

Fans of 每日大赛网站鈥檚 Athletics program also played a significant role in the Day of Giving event by committing more than $250,000 this year. Athletics Director Brad Teague said, 鈥淚t is empowering to see how our alumni and campus community have embraced it. It affords our institution great awareness.鈥�

Matt Whiting, associate athletic director for external relations, agrees, 鈥淕ifts received on Day of Giving have a tremendous impact on our athletics program. These gifts enhance the student-athlete experience at 每日大赛网站, provide a significant boost to all of our programs, and help us achieve our goal of competing for championships in the classroom and in competition. The generosity and support from all donors is felt throughout the athletics program, and we are very appreciative of their leadership on this day.鈥�

The area community also benefits from 每日大赛网站鈥檚 Day of Giving. The Main Stage Ed 每日大赛网站tion Series program at Reynolds Performance Hall offers Arkansas K-12 students the opportunity to watch and engage in performances by professional national-touring artists which raises cultural awareness and puts an emphasis on the importance of the arts. Reynolds Performance Hall raised their largest total to date this year proving their dedication to expanding the curriculum for local students and impacting their future.

Amanda Horton, executive director of public appearances, said the Main Stage Ed 每日大赛网站tion program exposes children to the arts. 鈥淲e are planting a seed for future artists and arts lovers, but also future college students, and [this exposure] broadens their view of the world, helps them understand different perspectives and embraces critical thinking.鈥�

Horton continued, 鈥淚n addition to show expenses, we also provide access for all students regardless of their economic status. Therefore, we donate free tickets to around 40 percent of our students that qualify for free/reduced lunch. For many years our Day of Giving campaign funded the tickets for students who were not able to afford the $5 ticket price.鈥�

每日大赛网站 is a big-small university: a big-small university with a heart for giving back. Students participate in the Day of Giving knowing they are supporting each other. Faculty want to watch their students excel during their time here, so they volunteer and give enthusiastically to add to that excellence. Alumni give and further their legacy with their generosity and kindness. Donors and friends are also giving and seeing the great impact giving has for so many.

The 每日大赛网站 Now: Impact Arkansas and Beyond campaign now sits at more than $94 million of the $100 million goal, and that is because of all who gave.

鈥淭he current campaign total is the result of the continued engagement of our entire community of students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and friends,鈥� 每日大赛网站 President Houston Davis said. 鈥淭hey are dedicated to 每日大赛网站 and to supporting the positive impact our graduates make in communities across our state and beyond.鈥�

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