Dr. Elrod joined the department in 2014 after teaching political science courses at Harding University in Searcy for nearly three decades. At UCA, Dr. Elrod taught sections of the introductory U.S. government & politics course, along with upper-division courses on the United Nations, international law, and American foreign policy. In addition, Dr. Elrod coordinated the annual Arkansas Model United Nations (AMUN) conference for hundreds of high school students from Arkansas and neighboring states each November. In his capacity as a co-faculty advisor for the BT天堂Model United Nations student organization, Dr. Elrod advised numerous BT天堂students who participated in collegiate Model UN conferences in Arkansas and Missouri.

Dr. Elrod earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in political science at Lipscomb College in Nashville in 1984 and a Ph.D. in political science at Vanderbilt University in 1995. Previously, Dr. Elrod served in the U.S. Navy as an aviation anti-submarine warfare operator from 1976 to 1980. Among his many roles on UCA鈥檚 campus, Dr. Elrod proudly served on the university鈥檚 veterans affairs committee in 2020-2021 and 2023-2026. Dr. Elrod was appointed by Governor Mike Beebe and served as a member of the Keep Arkansas Beautiful (KAB) Commission from 2014 to 2020. He was also an active member of the Arkansas Political Science Association (ArkPSA) for nearly four decades, including serving as president of the association in 2002-2003.

Dr. Elrod was a valued member of our university community, and we share in the grief of his family, friends, colleagues, students, and all who knew and cared for him. His colleagues and students in the department will especially miss his sense of humor and dedication to higher education and public service.

A service for Dr. Elrod will take place at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home in Little Rock, Saturday, Sept. 5, with visitation at noon and the service at 2 p.m.

Wendy Holbrook (right), University of Central Arkansas assistant vice president for student affairs, has been recognized by the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance as their 2025 Star Collaborator Award recipient. Laken Ross, nutrition programs coordinator for the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, presented the award.

Wendy Holbrook, University of Central Arkansas assistant vice president for student affairs, has been recognized by the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance as their 2025 Star Collaborator Award recipient.

This award honors an individual who exemplifies partnership, compassion and leadership in addressing food insecurity across Arkansas. Holbrook has been a consistent champion for ensuring students鈥� basic needs are met, fostering cross-campus collaboration and helping shape supportive, welcoming food pantry environments.

鈥淲endy鈥檚 commitment to student well-being and her collaborative spirit have strengthened the statewide network of college pantries and advanced the shared vision of a hunger-free Arkansas,鈥� BT天堂Vice President of Student Affairs Robin Williamson said.

Holbrook gained oversight responsibility for the Bear Essentials Food Pantry in 2020 and has led its growth during a period of rapidly increasing need. Under her leadership, the pantry now serves more than 500 students each month. Holbrook is responsible for securing financial support for the pantry, which operates entirely through donations. She has been instrumental in obtaining grant funding and significant contributions from the Conway community.

Holbrook has participated in panels and presentations at the College Hunger Summit for the past two years, and UCA鈥檚 Bear Essentials Food Pantry has participated in the Nutrition Pantry Program, working toward goals that center around neighbors, trauma-informed care and healthy food prioritization.

鈥淲endy鈥檚 work serves as an example of what it looks like when student support is rooted in dignity, empathy and collaboration,鈥� Laken Ross, nutrition programs coordinator for the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, said. 鈥淭hank you, Wendy!鈥�

Holbrook is especially proud of the strong support from the BT天堂community. Food drives sponsored by academic departments, student organizations and Staff Senate play a critical role in keeping the shelves stocked, while the monthly payroll deduction campaign consistently generates several hundred dollars each month to support ongoing operations.

More information about the Bear Essential Food Pantry can be found at .

BT天堂Associate Vice President of Campaign and Development Joan Shofner has been recognized as a 2025 Conway Area Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Outstanding Woman in Nonprofit.

Joan Shofner, associate vice president of campaign and development, has been recognized as a 2025 Conway Area Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Outstanding Woman in Nonprofit.

Shofner is a proven leader in nonprofit and higher education advancement whose vision and drive have transformed UCA鈥檚 fundraising success. Since joining the university in 2010 as the first director of advancement research, she has steadily built a career defined by innovation, leadership and results. Today she leads UCA鈥檚 Development Office and a team of eight professionals, cultivating a culture of collaboration and excellence that is recognized across campus and in the advancement field.

鈥淛oan leads with both vision and heart,鈥� Vice President of University Advancement Mary Bane Lackie said. 鈥淪he sets a clear standard for excellence, delivers results, and never loses sight of the people doing the work.

鈥淏y investing in her team鈥檚 growth and professional development, she creates an environment where fundraisers feel supported, challenged and empowered 鈥� making UCA鈥檚 Development Office not only a high-performing unit, but also a place where people want to work. Just as importantly, she is deeply committed to developing the next generation of fundraisers, ensuring the profession remains strong, ethical and impactful well into the future.鈥�

Shofner brings data and strategy together to achieve extraordinary results. Her leadership in adopting AI-driven platforms for donor engagement positioned BT天堂as a national example in leveraging technology to strengthen philanthropy. That initiative alone produced 225 new or increased gifts 鈥� 76 of which exceeded $1,000 鈥� and Shofner was invited to share UCA鈥檚 success story at the 2024 Fundraising AI Global Summit: Generate Good conference, where more than 9,000 registrants from 141 countries learned from her expertise. She co-presented with Gravyty and Susan G. Komen in a session titled Revolutionizing Donor Engagement: How AI Empowers Nonprofits to Scale Mid-Level and Major Gifts.

The annual Women in Business Awards event honors individuals in the Conway area who have demonstrated excellence in leadership and community service, inspiring others on both personal and professional levels.

The Outstanding Woman in Nonprofit Award is presented to individuals working in nonprofit, education or government sectors. Honorees reflect a strong commitment to leadership, service and professional excellence within their fields.

鈥淚 am deeply grateful for Lesley鈥檚 willingness to take on this important leadership role, and I am excited about the fresh perspective and innovative vision she will bring to Outreach,鈥� BT天堂Provost Michael Hargis said.

OCE works to meet the diverse needs of university and community partners through comprehensive learning and civic engagement opportunities, including continuing education, customized and non-traditional training, and event planning services.

Graybeal previously led UCA鈥檚 community-engaged learning and volunteer engagement initiatives. Her work has included advising leaders of service- and civic engagement-related student organizations, providing training and facilitation for faculty and community partners, and championing constructive dialogue initiatives.

Graybeal holds bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees in English and a doctorate in social foundations of education from the University of Georgia. Before joining UCA, she taught first-year writing and coordinated the service-learning program at Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh, North Carolina.

University of Central Arkansas Associate Professor of History Vaughn Scribner鈥檚 book 鈥淯nder Alien Skies: Environment, Suffering, and the Defeat of the British Military in Revolutionary America鈥� (UNC Press, 2024) has recently garnered national praise.

The book received the Society of the Cincinnati Prize, a major award given annually for an outstanding book that advances the understanding of the American Revolution and its legacy. Other recipients of the award include three Pulitzer Prize winners, two Bancroft prize winners and one Guggenheim Fellow.

Scribner will receive the award at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., at the Society鈥檚 headquarters on Oct. 8.

鈥淯nder Alien Skies鈥� is also one of three finalists for the Gilder Lehrman Military History Prize, which recognizes the best English-language book published on American military history, distinguished by its scholarship, its contribution to the literature, and its appeal to the broadest possible general reading public. The three finalists were chosen from a pool of 95 worth candidates by a three-member jury. The winner will be announced in early October, with a ceremony for the winner and finalists to be held at the Yale Club of New York City on Dec. 2.

The Revolutionary War is often celebrated as marking the birth of American republicanism and representative democracy. In his original research, Scribner illustrates how this could not have been further from the truth for tens of thousands of European troops who ventured across the Atlantic. Collecting first-person accounts and researching foreign soldiers鈥� negative perceptions of the American environment, Scribner reveals harsh wartime realities and the considerable physical and psychological anguish of British and German soldiers.

鈥淯nder Alien Skies鈥� is both an account of the American environment and a study of how new realities met foreign soldiers鈥� expectations. Those who fought in America under the British flag came to see themselves as strangers in an unfamiliar land. Revolutionary America bore little resemblance to the idyllic vision championed by republican propagandists. Instead, the War of Independence unraveled into a mire of anxiety, devastation and hardships wrought as much by the land itself as by combat. As a work of environmental history, Under Alien Skies is a step toward understanding how the American Revolution was shaped by the environment, both the climate and geography, of North America.

About the Society of Cincinnati Prize

The Society of the Cincinnati Prize recognizes the author of an outstanding book that advances understanding of the American Revolution and its legacy. Established in 1989 as a triennial award, the prize is now presented annually. Honorees have included leading historians as well as rising scholars in the field. The prize was created with a generous endowment gift from the family of Dr. H. Bartholomew Cox.

About the Gilder Lehrman Military History Prize

The purpose of the Gilder Lehrman Military History Prize is to draw public attention to American military history not only as an important staple of education in the areas of international relations, diplomacy, and conflict studies, but also as a subject in which any educated citizen should be interested. The study of the steps to war, conduct of military campaigns, and diplomatic responses to war can play an essential role in the quest for a more peaceable future.

Dr. Mary Bane Lackie, vice president of University Advancement at the University of Central Arkansas

Dr. Mary Bane Lackie, vice president of University Advancement at the University of Central Arkansas and president of the BT天堂Foundation Inc., has been named the 2025 Outstanding Fundraising Professional by the Arkansas Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). She will be recognized Nov. 6 at the 43rd annual National Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon.

With 39 years of experience in higher education, Lackie began her advancement career in 1996 in alumni affairs and has since built more than 16 years of expertise in fundraising. Her career includes leadership roles at two other Arkansas universities as well as eight and a half years abroad before returning to BT天堂in 2018 as assistant vice president for Development. She had previously served at BT天堂in the 1990s in Student Affairs. In 2020, she was named vice president for Advancement and president of the BT天堂Foundation, which today manages a $66 million endowment and oversees more than $96 million in net assets.

Under her leadership, BT天堂launched the public phase of its first $100 million campaign in 2021. The campaign concluded 10 months early in 2023, raising more than $109 million. Its impact includes 114 new endowed scholarships and 15 new faculty and programmatic endowments. Today, an average of 900 students receive $1.5 million in assistance from the BT天堂Foundation each year.

Lackie has strengthened UCA鈥檚 fundraising infrastructure by updating policies, implementing best practices and creating the Office of Legacy Planning in 2022. This office educates donors, collaborates with development officers and has already tripled annual planned gifts.

To expand alumni outreach in Northwest Arkansas 鈥� which is home to nearly 4,000 BT天堂graduates 鈥� Lackie established a director of Northwest Arkansas Engagement position in 2024. Earlier this year, a four-day alumni and community blitz in the region drew nearly 800 participants. This effort has already yielded an increase in alumni engagement in these counties by 38 percent.

Additional accomplishments under her leadership include modernizing the Foundation鈥檚 scholarship application and awarding process, dedicating staff to donor relations, and launching UCA鈥檚 first comprehensive donor stewardship plan, which provides individualized endowment reports with student thank-you notes.

Lackie鈥檚 professional influence extends globally. She has presented at higher education conferences in Pakistan and has contributed her expertise through pro bono consulting with the Pakistan Higher Education Commission and one of the country鈥檚 leading universities. This international engagement not only reflects her personal commitment to advancing higher education worldwide, but also enhances UCA鈥檚 reputation as a university with global reach and impact.

Beyond UCA, Lackie is active in Rotary Club 99 of Little Rock, the Kiwanis Club of Conway, PEO International, the Arkansas Women鈥檚 Leadership Network, and is a founding board member of the Vilonia Community Development Corporation and the Arkansas Hats & Gloves Society. She also serves on the Advisory Board of the National Cold War Center and engages with AFP, Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, the Association of Governing Boards, and the Education Advisory Board. She is a graduate of Leadership Arkansas Class XII and was named the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce鈥檚 2023 Outstanding Woman in Nonprofit.

Lackie is also personally generous, having established a BT天堂nursing scholarship in memory of her sister, Vicky Bane Malone, a 1975 graduate of the university鈥檚 nursing program. She and her husband Bill reside in Conway and have four grown children and three grandchildren.

About the BT天堂Foundation

The University of Central Arkansas Foundation Inc. is a nonprofit organization existing solely to benefit the University. Its mission is to fund the margin of excellence at BT天堂by securing and stewarding private gifts. This includes providing support for things not funded by the state of Arkansas or any other resource, but which make a difference in the quality and impact of UCA.

The entering Schedler Honors College and Schedler Honors Program classes of 2025 have an average high school GPA above 4.1. The Honors College class includes 117 students from Arkansas and 7 students from out of state. All members of the incoming honors class were selected using a holistic admissions process that factors in the applicant鈥檚 academic performance, writing ability, and service and leadership potential. The process, which requires written essays, letters of recommendation, and participation in a daylong orientation and interview, has been held up within the national collegiate honors community as one of the most in-depth admissions processes in the nation.The students selected represent an exceptional group of students.

Acceptance into either honors pathway comes with access to supplemental scholarship funding for every student, access to a living-learning community in Jefferson W. Farris Honors Hall, and participation in a unique interdisciplinary curriculum. Students in both programs take part in the high-impact practices of service learning, project-based education, collaborative work, and undergraduate research. Honors students also receive exclusive grant funding support for study abroad, undergraduate research, and internships. Established in 1982 by Norbert O. Schedler under the leadership of then-President Jefferson Farris Jr., the Schedler Honors College at BT天堂has become one of the most full-featured honors colleges in the nation and is a leader in providing enhanced educational opportunities in a living learning environment designed to develop students as citizen-scholars.

Established in 2018, the Schedler Honors Program, formerly known as the University Scholars Program, is a four-year honors program that operates alongside the Norbert O. Schedler Honors College. The program was started under the leadership of Honors College Dean Patricia Smith and BT天堂President Houston Davis to increase honors opportunities for a growing number of highly motivated students.

These are the Honors Scholars for fall 2025.

Students using new outdoor solar-powered table.

The University of Central Arkansas has added one outdoor solar-powered table to its campus inventory.听

The table allows individuals sitting at or near the table to charge phones, laptops, tablets, or other devices. It was installed recently by personnel in the Physical Plant.

鈥淲e had talked about possibly adding some solar-powered tables to campus for some time, but we had an opportunity to work with our beverage service provider, Pepsi, to have one,鈥� said Kevin Carter, associate vice president for facilities. 鈥淲e look forward to seeing students’ reactions and usage behaviors, but we think it will be a great addition to campus.鈥�

Branded with the Pepsi and BT天堂logos, the table was placed in front of the physical therapy building on Bruce Street. This location is heavily used by students in physical therapy and other health care-related classes during fall and spring semesters. With its proximity to Estes Stadium, the table is expected to be regularly used.听

BT天堂hopes to add more tables like these in the future.

Meghan Cowan

The Institute for Public Procurement has awarded Meghan Cowan, assistant director of Procurement, University of Central Arkansas, with the NIGP-CPP certification鈥攖he fastest growing globally recognized public procurement certification available.

Achieving the NIGP-CPP affirms that the entity, the supplier community, and the public are working with a procurement professional who has achieved the competencies needed to be a successful leader and has demonstrated mastery in business principles and public procurement strategy.

鈥淓arning my Certified Procurement Professional (CPP) certification is more than an achievement鈥攊t鈥檚 a powerful step forward in my commitment to strategic leadership, innovative sourcing, and creating lasting impact in the evolving world of procurement,鈥� Cowan said.

The NIGP-CPP has achieved accreditation from the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), the most prestigious personnel certification accreditation program worldwide. This achievement validates that the NIGP-CPP certification, attained by more than 1,500 procurement leaders, meets the rigorous standards of ANAB through the ANSI ISO 17024 standards. These standards are critically important to the public procurement community which frequently incorporates ANSI and ISO requirements in bid specifications and assessments.

NIGP-CPP is the only certification anchored in the Public Procurement Competency Framework. The Framework is rooted in research produced by the Volcker Alliance which seeks effective public service through workforce competencies. NIGP-CPP is a key component of the NIGP Pathways program which integrates learning with credentialing. As the profession evolves through new research, standards, and best practices, the NIGP-CPP will continually adapt, ensuring that the certification remains relevant.

NIGP-CPP represents the future of public procurement certification.

Cowan holds a bachelor鈥檚 in psychology and sociology and a master鈥檚 in family and consumer Sciences at UCA. She has worked at BT天堂for over 15 years.

About : The Institute for Public Procurement
With over 17,000 professionals from more than 2,600 local, state, provincial and federal government contracting agencies across the United States and Canada, NIGP has been developing, supporting, and promoting the public procurement profession through premier educational and research programs, professional development, technical services, and advocacy initiatives that benefit members and other important stakeholders.听

BT天堂student Honey Norfolk

University of Central Arkansas student Honey Norfolk has been accepted to the Oregon State University 鈥淩obots in the Real World鈥� program.

Norfolk, a Little Rock native, is a junior double majoring in engineering physics and sociology with minors in computer science and interdisciplinary studies.听聽

The 10-week summer initiative is part of the university鈥檚 Research Experiences for Undergraduates Site (REU) program, which has run for 11 years. During the program, Norfolk will participate in research and get hands-on learning on social robotics. This will involve designing, implementing, and evaluating social interactions between a Quori robot and people.听聽

Her long-term goal is to earn a Doctor of Philosophy degree in robotics to study robotics and artificial intelligence鈥檚 ethical and social implications.听 In looking towards her future, Norfolk explored several robotics research opportunities throughout the United States. She received word of her acceptance in March.听

鈥淚 was so overwhelmed with joy, I could barely breathe. I had just been accepted to my top choice and couldn鈥檛 have been happier. As soon as I calmed down just a little, I called my mom to tell her the news,鈥� she said.听

She credits her successful admission, in part, to William Slaton, BT天堂professor and engineering physics coordinator,聽 and Patrick Casey, BT天堂assistant professor of sociology.听聽

鈥淏oth Dr. Slaton and Dr. Casey wrote my recommendation letters, and if there鈥檚 anyone I should thank for where I am today, it鈥檚 definitely them,鈥� Norfolk said.听

The REU 鈥淩obots in the Real World鈥� program runs from June 23 to Aug. 29. More information about the program can be found .听