'A framework for the future'

Editor’s note: The following column is adapted from the speech given by Tom Courtway during his investiture ceremony in November when he became the 10th president of the University of Central Arkansas.

Good things are happening at the University of Central Arkansas. UCA is academically strong and sound, as it always has been. We have a faculty that excels in teaching, research and service. We are supported by a staff dedicated to the mission and core values of this institution.

Through our provost’s leadership and work of the entire campus, we have increased enrollment, retention efforts and general education revisions. We have responded to and had an excellent visit with a team from the Higher Learning Commission.

With the board of trustee’s leadership and everyone’s help, we have gotten our financial house in order. We are financially sound.
UCA is a vibrant, growing and diverse campus community of more than 11,500 students.

Moving ahead, the key question is how do we build on this foundation of strength, excellence and heritage?

Our vision: “The University of Central Arkansas aspires to be a premiere learner-focused public comprehensive university, a nationally recognized leader for its continuous record of excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, scholarly and creative endeavors and engagement with local, national and global communities.”

Teddy Roosevelt once said, “It is true of the nation, as of the individual, that the greatest doer must also be a great dreamer.” I have dreams for UCA and what I want to see when I look back on this period.

I want to see UCA as a top regional university in the South — with 13,500 students, taught by engaged and energetic faculty that are fairly and competitively compensated, both in terms of pay and salary adjustments. I want to see UCA supported by a dedicated and fairly compensated staff.

How did it happen? With the leadership of the board, faculty and staff and a commitment to aggressive recruitment, strengthened admission standards and an institution that is a national leader in student retention.

I want to see an institution where there are many “programs of distinction” to attract outstanding teachers and students; a strong and growing Honors College; and a place and in a city where young minds interested in innovation and entrepreneurship can live, explore, create, invent and pursue their dreams; or engage in service learning projects.

I want to see a campus that attracts the best students, faculty and staff. That is achieved through:

Planning and prudent budgeting for critical maintenance needs, which while not the most glamorous expenditure of funds are often the most important.

Planning, development and construction of new facilities for natural sciences, and for nursing and other health sciences fields — to teach and train the next generation of all health care professionals and scientists and teachers.

Planning for other academic facilities such as a center for the performing arts.

A vibrant Greek system and a Greek Village promoting leadership and academic achievement.

Planning and development of the University’s Main Street — Donaghey Avenue — which through careful planning and working with the City of Conway, becomes a true university thoroughfare, with student housing, shops and restaurants

Finally, I want to see a UCA that increases its effectiveness in its external relations, through:

Clear and well-publicized objectives in fundraising — challenging and seeking help from friends, alums and others to strengthen and develop with private gifts our academic programs and facilities, scholarships and faculty endeavors.

A centralized communications structure so that the many successes of our students, faculty and staff and the many other good things happening are consistently and creatively developed and then disseminated effectively and timely to alums and friends and throughout the state.

An expansion of many of the arts and outreach programs such as Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre, Baum Gallery, music and theater programs and the Conway Symphony Orchestra.

Renewed engagement with, and involvement by, the more than 40,000 alums of this institution who increased their involvement and philanthropy because they believed in UCA; believed in our programs and where we are headed; and believed in the leadership of the University.

That is what I want to see, and our “Framework for the Future” will get us there. Those are the things I want to see when I look back on this period at UCA. Much of it involves sustaining what we are doing. Many are the ideas of others who work on them every day.

In order to be successful, we — all of us — must commit to putting them into action. Success will require the support and efforts of the entire UCA community, and I ask for your support as we move ahead.

Today, in higher education, resources have never been as precious, expectations as high or accountability as important. As always, we must provide our students the best education, keeping in mind the cost to them and their loved ones. Their success is and must always be our singular purpose.

Let us resolve to make the University of Central Arkansas and our state a better place to live, learn and work not only because of what we do but more importantly because of the lives we have the ability to touch, teach, influence and change.

We have the vision. We have the plan. We have the focus. And most importantly, we have the resolve to lead UCA to even greater things — to even greater prominence. That is our course. That is our charge. Together, let’s make it our commitment.