The Arkansas State Legislature created The Arkansas State Normal School (now known as UCA) 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 80 acres, 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 known as Arkansas State Teachers College. The change in names accurately reflected the main program of instruction and mission of the institution. Arkansas State Teachers College was known for decades as the premier teacher training college in the State of Arkansas.
By 1967, the mission of Arkansas State Teachers College had changed. Though teacher training was still an important part of the institution’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 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 of 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 (UCA).
Today, the University of Central Arkansas has more than 10,000 students, over 400 full time faculty, 75 undergraduate degree programs, 35 graduate programs, and 81 buildings on 301 acres of land. Situated conveniently in the geographic center of the State of Arkansas, UCA traditionally enrolls students from each of Arkansas’ 75 counties.
John James Doyne 1908-1917
Burr Walter Torreyson 1917-1930
Heber L. McAlister 1930-1941
Nolen M. Irby 1941-1953
Silas D. Snow 1953-1975
Jefferson D. Farris 1975-1986
Winfred L. Thompson 1988-2001
Lu Hardin 2002-Present