[2] As the state's only normal school at the time, UCA has historically been the primary source of teachers in Arkansas.

Classes began September 21, 1908, with nine academic departments, one building on 80 acres (320,000 m2), 107 students and seven faculty members.

State College of Arkansas grew rapidly and offered an ever-widening range of degree programs.

[6] The colors for UCA were decided the first year and according to an article in the November 24, 1908, edition of the Log Cabin Democrat, were said to be purple and silver.

The memorial contains the names and branch of service of forty-six UCA alumni who were killed during World War II.

A third person, 19-year-old Martrevis Norman, a non-student visiting the campus, was shot in the leg and was treated at the nearby Conway Regional Medical Center.

The student-created website is named "The Fountain", after the historic landmark located on the university's campus.

The Fountain merged with The Echo UCA's oldest student media outlet in January 2014 to combine print and online resources.

Students may, for example, study literature in Italy and UK, healthcare in China or Sociology in Africa.

UCA is also recognized as distinct by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education for being one of the nation's 20 Asian Studies Development Program's Regional Centers for Asian Studies, a joint program of the federally funded East West Center and University of Hawaii at Manoa.

This college offers eleven fields of study in the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics, as well as six pre-professional programs.

[21] Business students attending the University of Central Arkansas can pursue an associate, bachelor's, or graduate degree through this college.

[23] ROTC students at the University of Central Arkansas attend this college for training as a commissioned officer.

[25] The University of Central Arkansas participates annually in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.

[26] UCA Public Appearances is a division of the university's College of Fine Arts & Communication.

[27] The Reynolds Performance Hall opened on September 15, 2000, with a sold-out concert by the late Ray Charles.

Since then, the theater has hosted numerous celebrities, including Loretta Lynn, Rhonda Vincent, Seth Meyers, Gavin DeGraw, the Temptations, Gladys Knight, Ronan Tynan, The Golden Dragon Acrobats, Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, local composer David William Allison, and many national and international touring companies.

[28] Until that time, UCA is a de facto associate member of the Western Athletic Conference, competing in a football partnership between the two leagues officially branded as the ASUN–WAC Challenge.

The athletic program includes eight men's sports: baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, and track and field; and nine women's sports: basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field, volleyball and beach volleyball.

[32] It published 23 books by 1996, when university president Winfred L. Thompson closed the press, citing fiscal considerations.