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University of Arkansas - Fort Smith
Established	1928
Type:	Public University
Chancellor:	Dr. Paul B. Beran
President:	Dr. B. Alan Sugg
Faculty:	200
Students:	6500
Location	Fort Smith, Arkansas, USA
Campus:	127 acres
Sports:	UA Fort Smith Lions, NJCAA, 4 men's varsity teams, 4 women's.
Website:	www.uafortsmith.edu

The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, known also as UA Fort Smith, is a public, co-educational, four-year university. It is one of 11 campuses that make up the University of Arkansas System and is located in Fort Smith, Arkansas. UA Fort Smith is the sixth largest university in Arkansas, with a fall 2007 credit enrollment of approximately 6500.

UA Fort Smith uniquely offers in-state tuition rates not only to Arkansas residents, but also to residents of Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas.

The University campus occupies 127 acres of an award-winning, nationally recognized arboretum that boasts 1,122 GPS-inventoried trees representing 69 species. In 2003 the campus was named the "Best Maintained Landscape in the Nation".^[1]

Contents 1 History 2 Colleges 2.1 College of Applied Science and Technology 2.2 College of Arts and Sciences 2.3 College of Business 2.4 College of Education 2.5 College of Health Sciences 3 Student Housing 4 Arboretum 4.1 Awards 5 Athletics 5.1 Competitive Status 5.2 Championships 5.2.1 Lions Men’s Basketball 5.2.2 Lions Women’s Basketball 5.2.3 Lions Women’s Volleyball 6 References 7 External links

The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith was established in 1928 as an extension of the public school system in Fort Smith, Arkansas, with the superintendent acting as the college president and the high school principal as dean. Known originally as Fort Smith Junior College, the institution operated within the Fort Smith public school system until 1950, when the school was incorporated as a private, nonprofit institution with its own governing board. In September 1952, the College moved from borrowed facilities in the high school to its current site, initially occupying 15 acres.

During the private college era, enrollment increased, as did course offerings, the number of faculty, and facilities. A vocational-technical division was added in 1960. During this period, the college began developing the programs and character of a comprehensive community college — a new concept in Arkansas and across the nation.

In the fall of 1965, the Sebastian County electorate approved the creation of the Sebastian County Community Junior College District, along with a tax levy on the real and personal property of the county. The governor appointed a Board of Trustees, and the school again became a public institution.

In 1966, the institution’s name was changed from Fort Smith Junior College to Westark Junior College, and in 1972, to Westark Community College, indicating the larger area to be served and reflecting the more comprehensive mission.

Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, the college developed and made changes within the context of its mission as a two-year institution. A significant development in 1989 was the establishment of a University Center. Five state universities partnered with the institution to offer six bachelor’s and seven master’s degree programs on campus. Between 1989 and 2002, 1,788 students graduated with bachelor’s degrees through the University Center.

In 1997, the Arkansas Legislature passed an act granting Westark the authority to offer in its own right up to nine applied bachelor’s degrees, developed in response to identified needs of the industries in the area served.

The name of the college was changed yet again in February 1998 to Westark College, more accurately portraying the role and scope of the institution.

On December 15, 2000, the Board of Trustees of Westark College entered into an agreement with the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas to merge with the University of Arkansas System as a four-year institution. In 2001, the Sebastian County electorate voted to support the merger. A formal request to change affiliation status to that of a bachelor’s degree-granting institution under the name of the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith was submitted to the Higher Learning Commission in August 2001 and approved by the Institutional Actions Council on November 19, 2001.

The merger, which became official on January 1, 2002, endorsed the concept of UA Fort Smith as a unique university, one that offers applied and traditional baccalaureate degree programs, one- and two-year associate and technical programs, and noncredit business and industry training programs.

Two core missions mark the institution today — a commitment to serving the greater Fort Smith region’s business and industry with quality training and education, and a commitment to become a full-service regional university that is a destination of choice for students.

UA Fort Smith provides certificates of proficiency, technical certificates, associate of arts degrees, associate of general studies, associate of applied science degrees, and bachelor's degrees, as well as work-based learning and community education.

Programs in the College of Applied Science and Technology (CAST) are designed to prepare students to be productive and valuable members of the workforce. Degree programs leading to job opportunities are offered in technical and occupational areas. Through the College of Applied Science and Technology, students may complete a bachelor of applied science degree, an associate of applied science degree, technical certificate, or certificate of proficiency in technical and occupational programs. Additionally, the College offers courses and programs of limited duration which provide for the retraining and upgrading of skills for those who are already employed. The College of Lifelong Learning, under the auspices of CAST, oversees such programs as adult education, noncredit course work, and the UA Fort Smith Academy of the Arts.

The College of Arts and Sciences is dedicated to the ideals of a liberal arts education. The degree programs are designed as the means for understanding society’s condition, achievements, and problems. Through detailed familiarity with a primary discipline as well as interdisciplinary studies, students obtaining a degree from the College of Arts and Sciences have a broad understanding of the world in which they live and demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Through the College of Arts and Sciences, students can complete a bachelor of arts degree, a bachelor of science degree, an associate of arts, or an associate of general studies degree by meeting the prescribed degree requirements. Though UA Fort Smith does not at this time offer a bachelor's degree in drama, in 2006-07 the students wrote, directed, and performed Corrigenda, a play that garnered many awards and regional recognition. UA Fort Smith also has one of the fastest-growing vocal music programs in the state, containing a brand new musical theatre/opera performance group and a nationally-recognized Vocal Jazz group that is the only one of it's kind in the state.

The primary mission of the College of Business is to help undergraduate students develop interpersonal, technological, and functional business competencies that prepare them for leadership positions in our global economy. This mission is supported by (1) an integrated practice-oriented curriculum that emphasizes leadership, ethics, and the development of entrepreneurship, (2) instructional development and application-oriented research that strengthens the program, and (3) service to University stakeholders, including active participation in regional economic development. The College of Business strives to be the College of choice among business schools in the region and to be recognized beyond the region for its applied approach to management education, research, and services. Through the College of Business, students can complete the bachelor of science degree in accounting, business administration, or marketing by meeting the prescribed degree requirements. Additionally, the College offers an associate degree and technical certificate of proficiency in workforce leadership.

The College of Education is committed to excellence in teacher preparation through both classroom instruction and field-service experiences. Designed to serve school districts and other educational agencies in western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma, the College works closely with partner school districts to offer challenging and relevant educational experiences that prepare graduates to be capable teachers anywhere in the nation.

The program emphasizes the importance of technology, national standards, diversity, accountability, teamwork, core knowledge, and continuous learning. Students majoring in secondary education complete degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences with the teacher licensure portion completed in the College of Education. Bachelor-level degrees in middle-level education and early childhood education, and associate degrees in education are completed in the College of Education.

The College of Health Sciences is dedicated to preparing graduates to be leaders within their health fields. Through a learning-centered approach to instruction, the College offers programs that integrate theory, innovative practice, and technology in classroom, laboratory, and clinical settings. All degree programs provide a foundation in general education so graduates are informed about current and future trends in healthcare and can respond to challenges in the workplace.

The College of Health Sciences promotes educational opportunities for career advancement, employment mobility, and lifelong learning. Through the College of Health Sciences, students can complete a baccalaureate degree in nursing or imaging sciences with a track in ultrasound and/or management. Associate of applied science degree programs are available in dental hygiene, nursing, radiography, respiratory care, and surgical technology. A certificate program is available in practical nursing.

Student Housing at UA Fort Smith is a brand new addition to the primarily commuting-based campus. In 2003, Sebastian Commons Apartments were open and officially gave UA Fort Smith it's first housing addition. Sebastian Commons was made to hold 300 students at the time, and within 3 years, the imminent need for even more student housing prompted UA Fort Smith to build Sebastian Commons Phase II. Phase II builds 2 brand new buildings on both far sides of the original buildings, and adds an additional 180 beds to the capacity, creating a 480-bed occupancy for the complex. Sebastian Commons Apartments come fully-furnished in a safe, secure, and gated community with close proximity and parking to the campus. Sebastian Commons boasts a beautiful, clean, and high-class living space with an excellent staff of Leasing Agents and Resident Assistants. Since it's inception, Sebastian Commons has become a major selling point for the University, being recognized for building more student-friendly apartments rather than traditional dorms which lack private bathrooms, kitchens, and individual bedrooms.

In cooperation with the Arkansas Forestry Commission, UA Fort Smith strives for excellence in "tree preservation, care, and planting, while at the same time developing an educational urban forestry awareness program and arboretum master plan." To this end, the University has made the entire campus an arboretum, with more than 69 species of trees mapped out by GPS technology.

The campus grounds have won numerous awards for landscaping and horticulture.

• The Ball Horticultural Company Floral Displays Champion - America in Bloom 2005 (AIB)
• Green Star Grand Award for the Best Maintained Landscape in the Nation - School or University Category - Professional Grounds Management Society 2003 (PGMS)
• Distinguished Service Award - Keep Arkansas Beautiful 2002 (KAB)

UA Fort Smith competes in a variety of traditional collegiate athletics. Men’s teams include basketball, baseball, golf, and tennis, while women’s team include basketball, golf, tennis, and volleyball. The school mascot is the Lions.

Though UA Fort Smith currently competes in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), the University is in the process of transitioning to the larger, more nationally renowned NCAA Division II. From fall 2007 to spring 2009, the Lions will enter a NCAA Division II “exploratory phase,” though they will continue to compete at the NJCAA level. If the University meets the various requirements during this time, it will formally enter provisional NCAA Division II status in the 2009-2010 school year. The “provisional” status will be removed after one year of successful membership.

• National Champions: 2006, 1981
• Region II Champions: 2006, 2002, 2001
• Bi-State Conference Champions: 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001

• National Champions: 1995
• Region II Champions: 2006, 2005, 2004
• Bi-State Conference Champions: 2003

• Region II Champions: 2006, 2005, 2003, 2002
• Bi-State Conference Champions: 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002

The volleyball program also holds the distinction of being named an NJCAA Academic All-American Team seven years in a row (1999-2005).

1. ^ Grounds and Landscape Awards. University of Arkansas Fort Smith. Retrieved on 2007-05-30.

• University of Arkansas - Fort Smith

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Coordinates: 35°23′01″N 94°22′29″W / 35.383583, -94.374651