A small group of students walks down a hallway in the Windgate Center for the Fine and Performing Arts when a faculty member asks if they need assistance loading a sculpture. That faculty member is none other than Bryan Massey, professor and chair of UCA’s Department of Art and Design.

Helping students move large works of art is not new for Massey. In fact, it is how his career in sculpture began.
Originally from Princeton, North Carolina, Massey began his studies in commercial art at East Carolina University, but his focus shifted with a chance meeting.

“I heard this commotion behind this 10-foot wall. So I peeked through, and there’s two or three students, an older professor and a large stone teetering on a truck. They were trying to keep it from falling. I was a football player at the time, so I asked if they needed some help.”

After nudging the stone back in place, the professor, grateful for Massey’s strength, said, “We need strong guys in sculpture. Come take one of my classes in the fall.” That invitation turned into a major in sculpture and a minor in commercial art.
A month before earning his first graduate degree at LSU, Massey began sending out resumes and noted that BTĚěĚĂwas hiring a new 3D sculpture professor. “I interviewed in April,” Massey reflected, “and they made an offer.”

Massey joined BTĚěĚĂas an associate professor in 1988, and became the department chair in 2018. His unwavering commitment to students, campus and to building an atmosphere of respect has manifested significant growth in his department.

“If I can make a difference in a student’s life, that’s the fun part,” Massey said. When advising students about creating art, he added, “Make sure you’ve got a passion for it. Make sure you have a desire to learn your craft and your skill set to put the time and effort into perfecting that. Craftsmanship and presentation are a big part of what we do as artists.”

Massey has great hope for future offerings, such as a fashion design or landscape architecture program. He credits the faculty and atmosphere of mutual respect with the current growth. “Having good faculty makes a big difference. We’re going to respect each other in our department. In my meetings or in front of students, I never address my faculty by their first name. I call them by their title. That’s just a part of establishing the kind of atmosphere I want to create.”

As for his legacy at UCA, “integrity” is the word that resonates: “I want to be known not only as an artistic lesson for students, but that I was a man of integrity.”

For as long as she can remember, Mac Marino ’67 has found her home in the theater. Growing up in North Little Rock, she caught the acting bug early, first as the “nightbeam” in her elementary school’s production of “Pinocchio”, then as the wicked queen in “Snow White.”

“By age seven, I was a diva,” she laughs. “Theater was my passion. I was going to be an actress.”
Her father, the town’s postmaster, wasn’t quite as sure. He gently asked what she planned to do for money.
“Realistically, my thought was ‘not act,’” she recalls.

When Marino enrolled at the University of Central Arkansas, theater wasn’t yet offered as a major or minor. Instead, she pursued degrees in English, social science and education, choices that opened unexpected doors.

“I met three instructors who meaningfully influenced my life as they supported, questioned, listened and advised,” she said, naming Ralph Beherns, Eugene Nolte and H.B. Hardy. “They gave me the tools to be a lifelong learner and the courage to prove my worth.”

Even without a formal theater program, Marino found her way to the stage at UCA, making her debut in Federico García Lorca’s “The House of Bernarda Alba.”

“At one point, I had to wail. Southern girls do not wail,” she says. “But, when the opening night curtain went up, I was a Spanish servant quite capable of wailing.”

The thrill of performing never left her. That comfort on stage became a skill she carried through life, especially during the years her husband’s Air Force career took their family across the world, from Alaska to England and beyond.
Along the way, Marino built a diverse professional life as a teacher and school dean. Acting, she says, helped her navigate each new chapter.

“It gave me the ability to interview well, to be what the interviewer needed to see.”
Today, Marino continues to support her alma mater through the BTĚěĚĂTheatre program, helping students experience professional productions beyond campus.

“The reason I fund these experiences isn’t to encourage them to pack a bag and head to Broadway,” she explains. “It’s so they can see what people mean when they talk about the theatre, to understand its power and quality at the highest level.”
In every sense, Mac Marino has kept the curtain up on a life defined by learning, performance, and generosity. Even when life takes you far from the stage, the show can still go on.

For Will Smith, the University of Central Arkansas has been a place of transformation.

Originally from Little Rock and a graduate of Little Rock Central High School, Smith chose BTĚěĚĂafter an injury altered his plans to attend school farther from home. While attending a cheer clinic in Texas, he broke his femur and decided recovery would be best supported closer to family. He joined the BTĚěĚĂcheer team and competed during his freshman and sophomore years, beginning a college experience shaped by involvement and discovery.

Now a senior marketing major, Smith has spent his time on campus growing into leadership and purpose.

“I would say that I’ve grown substantially,” Smith said. “The William Smith that walked into BTĚěĚĂin fall 2022 is not the same one that is walking out in 2026.”

He describes his time at BTĚěĚĂas a period of substantial growth.

“I think BTĚěĚĂhas taught me so much about myself,” he said. “It’s allowed me to explore my freedom in a controlled way where I’ve learned so much, and I’ve really grown as an individual.”

Smith has taken on several leadership roles during that time, including serving as president of the First Generation Scholars Society, vice president of communications for Bear Den and holding the title of Mr. Esquire. Through these roles, he founded and funded a scholarship for first-generation students, advocated for student mental health and helped coordinate menstrual product kit donations. He also serves on the Student Success Committee, representing first-generation students.

In addition to his campus leadership, Smith coaches cheerleading for students ages 4 to 18 in Little Rock and recently began an internship at The Design Group, a downtown Little Rock marketing firm. The experience, he said, has allowed him to explore different areas of marketing as he prepares for graduation.

Reflecting on campus life, Smith encourages others to make the most of their experience.

“BTĚěĚĂprovides such a great community with so many different opportunities to get involved on campus,” he said. “It’s really a great place for you to flourish.”

For Haley Crafton Fowler ’06, the University of Central Arkansas has never been just a workplace. It has always been home.
Fowler arrived on campus in 2003 as a freshman, following a family legacy that included her parents and grandfather. She never considered going anywhere else. BTĚěĚĂwas always part of her story, and over time, it became her career.

After graduating in 2006, Fowler accepted an opportunity to stay at UCA, beginning a professional path that has spanned student life, alumni relations and now annual giving. Along the way, she has built lasting relationships with students and alumni, many of whom share her deep connection to the university.

“What’s kept me here is the people and the purpose,” Fowler said. “BTĚěĚĂmakes a real impact, and I’m grateful to be part of that every day.”

Today, Fowler serves in the development office as senior director of annual giving, where she helps alumni and friends support the university’s future. Her work is grounded in personal experience. As both an alumna and longtime staff member, she has seen how donor support directly shapes the student experience.

That perspective has guided her involvement in one of UCA’s most visible traditions, the annual Day of Giving. Fowler has led the initiative since it launched in 2015, helping it grow into a campuswide effort that brings together students, faculty, staff and alumni from all over the world to collectively raise meaningful support.

“It’s not about the size of a gift,” she said. “It’s about participation, pride and collective support.”

For Fowler, the impact of that work is both immediate and lasting. She sees it in the opportunities created for students and in the connections that continue long after graduation.

“BTĚěĚĂis a place that has given so much to my life,” she said. “Being part of that experience for others is what makes this work meaningful.”

Originally from New York, Corbin always saw himself living in the South. After obtaining his master’s degree in school counseling, he began working at a middle school. Four years later, he found himself longing to return to higher education.

“I wanted a place where there’s more sunshine throughout the year, and after four years counseling in middle school, I found myself daydreaming about when I had actually been able to coordinate the Concurrent Enrollment Program for Niagara University, where I got my master’s in school counseling.”

“I did concurrent enrollment,” he continued, “and then I went to a community college, and then I went to a four-year institution, and I had to, as a student, fight for my credit to transfer. So to be in a position where I could help set up that pathway for students on the front end, so there’s no guesswork, was very appealing to me.”

Over spring break in 2000, he visited several universities, driving to the campuses he was interested in. BTĚěĚĂwas the last of six campuses he visited. That’s when he discovered BTĚěĚĂwas interviewing for a director of transfer services.

“I’d never been to Arkansas before, and I always tell people this, I can’t explain it, but it is as true today as it was when I came to interview. I don’t know why, but when I drove into Conway, it immediately felt like home to me.”

Upon getting the position, Corbin worked to ease student transitions by creating a Two Plus Two Transfer Agreement with area institutions, ensuring students understood how their credits would transfer. He also launched the Bear Partners Program with UACCM, ASU Beebe, and U of A Pulaski Tech, giving students a chance to experience BTĚěĚĂbefore transferring.

Corbin finds that his innovative work in planning programs to assist students as efficiently as possible makes his time at BTĚěĚĂworth it.

Corbin said, “Everything just fell into place. It really felt like it was just meant to be, and I’ve loved Conway and BTĚěĚĂever since, and it still feels like home.”

Corbitt reflected, “I’d given a short presentation on Christian and secular ethics at a church in Conway, not knowing that Norb Schedler was a member. Then, as I was mowing my lawn one evening in April 2001, looking much like a green monster, he’s walking down the street dressed, he always looked like a million bucks, and I wave at him, and he turns into my sidewalk, walks past me to my front step and sits down.”

“He looked at me and said, he was very dramatic, ‘How would you like a one-year position in the Honors College?’ I was charmed. I was interested. And, here I am, 24 years later.”

While teaching philosophy in the Honors College, Corbitt earned UCA’s Teaching Excellence Award in 2013 and served as Chair for the BTĚěĚĂExcellence Award Committee.

“That was very meaningful. One of the sweetest outcomes was getting to serve on the committee, and that meant going and visiting other teachers’ classrooms. And, I was, and still am, in awe of the quality of teaching that we have on our campus, and they are putting so much time, energy, effort, creativity and love into what they do for the student,” he said.

As coordinator of the Peer Mentor program, Corbitt works with Honors peer mentors who are there to “help smooth the transition into college life for our first-year students and to do co-curricular programming that supports what’s going on in the classroom, and they do fun, entertaining community-building programming.” They meet once a week to hear about interactions and to brainstorm ideas to inspire new students and make them feel included, which Corbitt sees as an important part of his time here.

“This is a special place, and I think we are trying to build a certain kind of community. And, for me, it’s much more than the Honors College. To me, the ultimate goal is a community where everybody matters, not just in the Honors College, but at UCA, in Conway, in our state, our nation and the world.”

“Both of my maternal grandparents went to school here, then both of my parents went, and then my older brother also attended UCA,” Reynolds said. “I applied to other schools and got in, but I had some family backing and had spent some time around campus, so I was familiar with it. I came to BTĚěĚĂand then just had a really great time.”

Once on campus, Reynolds joined Sigma Phi Epsilon, the Student Government Association, BTĚěĚĂAmbassadors, the Student Orientation Staff (SOS) and the Norbert O. Schedler Honors College.

“I’ve got to be involved and stay in a lane where I can feel like I can make an impact,” he said.

It was through SOS that Reynolds met his wife. “For like two weeks, you’re with your team from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.,” he said. “You’re going to spend way more time with this group of people in a short amount of time than you would over several semesters. It was happenstance or divine intervention that we ended up on the same team.”

After graduating with a degree in creative writing, Reynolds went to law school at the University of Arkansas, where an internship at Chesapeake Energy introduced him to the energy business.

“I really fell in love with the fast-paced nature of the energy business,” he said. “If attorneys ruled the world, nothing would ever happen. But, in energy, you’ve got to figure out how to solve a problem instead of sitting back and just talking about it.”

That led to a career spanning several states and ultimately the launch of RBG Permian, his own oil and gas company. Today, he and his business partner manage operations in Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico, while Reynolds also invests in real estate, tech and runs a bison ranch in western Oklahoma.

Now living in Rogers with his wife and three children, Reynolds remains grateful for the foundation BTĚěĚĂprovided. He is committed to giving back to the university that shaped his path.

“People poured into my life and impacted me when I was a student and didn’t know anything,” he said. “Being able to pay it forward, whether that’s mentorship, advice or a financial contribution, matters.”

As a freshman in high school, Wells was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and underwent an amputation of her right leg along with chemotherapy. Throughout this, Wells pushed herself to stay focused on school.

“I was still doing schoolwork and taking AP classes while going through treatment, but after my life looked a whole lot different,” she said. “I knew I needed to be near my parents, and BTĚěĚĂwas the most accessible place.”

The decision to come to BTĚěĚĂquickly proved to be the right one.

“When I came to campus, I knew that I would be able to thrive,” Wells said. “It was the best decision. I love it here.”

Wells is now a senior at UCA, majoring in public administration and health promotion. She started BearsAdapt, a registered student organization inspired by the nonprofit she founded after graduating from high school, Natural State Adaptive Sports.

“When I was trying to debate ‘should I amputate, should I not?’ I saw people like Hunter Woodhall running with a prosthetic blade. I was like, ‘Oh, I’m gonna be okay, I can still live life,’” she continued. “But I thought, ‘this would be so nice if I had support, if there were resources,’ and so I decided to be the resource.”

Wells aims to build a community for people with disabilities, provide access to resources and educate others to foster a more inclusive environment.

“That has all come from me never believing that things can’t change, and if I put my mind to it, I can at least have an impact on it,” she said. “I feel like you can at least move something 1%, and that’s why I’ve been so involved.”

Wells is also involved in Bears at the Ballot, UCA’s chapter of Vote Everywhere, and was named a Newman Civic Fellow. The Newman Civic Fellowship recognizes student leaders and provides them with training, resources and a national network of peers. Through this, Wells was also awarded a $1,500 grant to support Disability Awareness Week at UCA.

After graduation, Wells plans to pursue a master’s degree in public health and a juris doctor so that she can continue to provide assistance and resources to those who need them.

“I would love to work at the CDC or in Arkansas at the Department of Health,” she said. “Somewhere that I can help with legislation because there’s so many people who need an advocate.”

Upon joining the University of Central Arkansas’ Police Department (UCAPD) in October 2020, Officer Nicole Sumner-Wheeler ’24 knew she had found a special place to continue her law enforcement career, finish her education and serve her community.

The Little Rock native has more than a decade of experience in law enforcement, first working with the Little Rock Police Department before coming to BTĚěĚĂhoping to do more in the community.

“I loved what I did, but I wanted to do something different or a different aspect of policing. I have a passion for service and helping others, and BTĚěĚĂhas given me that opportunity,” Sumner-Wheeler said.

Another opportunity presented itself when she decided to complete her education with a Bachelor of General Studies. “After working in law enforcement, having two children, getting married and being pregnant when I started here, I knew I could utilize the employee discount. I thought, ‘I’m here every day, and I have this opportunity they’re giving me.’”

Her determination and willingness to serve the community are reflected in her role as director of community outreach for UCAPD. This entails organizing and conducting campus training for police officers, faculty, staff and students. The training consists of mental health, first aid, alcohol awareness and much more.

Additionally, her passion for empowering women and building connections is present in everything she does, whether she is organizing a training session, participating in UCA’s peer coaching circle or serving as part of the Women’s Leadership Network in their community service initiatives.

“We’re currently working on a service project for the city of Conway for single and expecting mothers that will be like a community baby shower.”

“I just love to empower women,” she continued, “especially single moms, because I was once a single mom, and I had that person who always pushed and motivated me, and that’s how I am where I am today.”

When reflecting on her career in campus law enforcement, she expressed her deep appreciation for the community she serves.

“I absolutely love it here. It’s the students. It’s the connections. It’s the students I talk to when I’m walking through campus, and they say, ‘Hey, I got a problem. I need to come talk to you about something.’ That is what I live for,” she said. “You just don’t realize the impact you have on people’s lives until they come to you with a problem or just to see you. That’s the main thing: connecting with the students and building relationships with them so they can have someone in the capacity of law enforcement.”

Jeremy Horpedahl stays busy in the University of Central Arkansas’ College of Business (COB) – from serving on Faculty Senate to director of the Arkansas Center for Research in Economics (ACRE) to associate professor to public appearances in varying forms of media – which makes his impact in the community noteworthy through his many accomplishments as he strives to help students, citizens and policymakers understand Arkansas’ economy.

Horpedahl has served as a representative of the COB for Faculty Senate and on several committees in the COB.
As director of ACRE, his focus is multifaceted. This unique group consists of other faculty members in the COB and offers research opportunities and topic-specific reading groups each semester for students. Additionally, he organizes bringing in guest speakers to discuss topics students and faculty are focusing on for a greater understanding of economics.

“It’s the people involved that make ACRE,” Horpedahl said, “It’s myself and several other faculty members and the big thing we do is programs for students. The goal is to get them interested in economics and understand how economic policy influences the world. We bring in speakers to give lectures and these events aren’t just for students; they’re open to the public.”

As an associate professor, he educates upper-division economics majors and freshmen from across campus while researching and publishing articles in academic journals.

Outside of the classroom, Horpedahl has an impressive number of publications about tax reform. He has partnered with experts at the Tax Foundation to examine how to reform and reduce taxes in Arkansas. Horpedahl writes op-eds for outlets such as The New York Times, Newsweek and Bloomberg.

He also enjoys the challenge of public appearances on local news and radio outlets, podcasts, blog posts and more because they enlighten the public and assist him with creating innovative strategies for the classroom.

“I do enjoy the challenge of trying to say, ‘How can we get people to want to hear about this?’ that’s what is fun for me, trying to find a way to make economics interesting to people because I think everyone grasps its importance,” he said.

Horpedahl’s accomplishments have not gone unnoticed. He’s won numerous awards, including the BTĚěĚĂCollege of Business Exemplary Boundary Spanner Award, the Societal Impact Award from COB and Best Paper in Public Choice by a Senior Scholar.