These last few months have been filled with emotional upheaval. In the midst of a pandemic we also have social unrest. Many are finding it hard to feel hopeful and joyous amid the turmoil. I honestly believe that we can work together to find a way through, if we lean on each other and renew our commitment to humility and growth. To that end, I'd like to share an excerpt from a poem that my mother loved. The poem reminds us to learn and grow together in the face of strife.

Enjoy, Vicki

Character of the Happy Warrior

BY WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

Who is the happy Warrior? Who is he

That every man in arms should wish to be?

—It is the generous Spirit, who, when brought

Among the tasks of real life, hath wrought

Upon the plan that pleased his boyish thought:

Whose high endeavours are an inward light

That makes the path before him always bright;

Who, with a natural instinct to discern

What knowledge can perform, is diligent to learn;

Abides by this resolve, and stops not there,

But makes his moral being his prime care;

For the full poem, click here:

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45512/character-of-the-happy-warrior

It is an annual tradition for Conway teachers to attend the Teacher Breakfast and Education Fair before school starts. Hosted by the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, the event had a different look this year. The Chamber of Commerce assembled 1,300 bags that were delivered to educators at Conway Christian Schools, Conway Public Schools, and St. Joseph School. The COE was proud to participate in this event and provided several door prize items donated by the UCA Bookstore and a grand prize of tuition and fees paid for one graduate level COE class.

The winners are...

UCA Spiral notebook with pen - Stephanie DeFoor

UCA Bears button - Olivia Bundrick

UCA Bears button - Lydia Hardin

UCA auto magnet - Jennifer Shelton

Pack of UCA pens - Sherry Bartlett

Pack of UCA pens - Jami Schwartz

UCA pennant - Nohora Carson

UCA cup - Margaret Teeling

UCA cup - David Steadham

UCA keychain - Madison Withrow

Tuition and fees for one graduate level COE course - Alyssa Clark

You can see the grand prize winner draw by going to: https://www.facebook.com/UCAeducation/videos/1282426038773131/?t=0

On September 1, 2020, , Liz Smith (Associate Professor/Associate Chair in the UCA department of Art and Design) visited Tracie Rushing’s (Lecturer I in the department of Elementary Literacy and Special Education) K-6 Social Studies classes to create sculptures commemorating the centennial anniversary of the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment, which secured women’s right to vote. Students sculpted acorns in different flesh tones to represent the diversity in our country. These acorns will be part of an installation piece, joining thousands of acorn sculptures together in the shape of the United States flag, symbolizing that we are a diverse, but united nation.

Tracie serves as a Governor Appointee on the Arkansas Women's Suffrage Centennial Commemoration Committee. This committee was created in 2017 and its goal is to lead the state's remembrance of the women receiving the right to vote. The committee works with the people of Arkansas to plan activities, conduct research, and otherwise expand the understanding and appreciation of the significance of women’s suffrage in Arkansas (http://www.arkansasheritage.com/Programs/commemorative-programs/Womens-Suffrage/About). Her appointment runs through December 31, 2020.

The COE Newsletter encourages you to share UCA COE alumni stories. "Where Are They Now" articles will highlight our alumni and their impact. Please share your story by going to http://uca.edu/go/COEAlumni.

Missed an issue? You can view past issues of the COE Newsletter by going to https://uca.edu/education/coenewsletter/.