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The University of Arkansas System provides communities in Arkansas with access to academic and professional opportunities, develops intellectual growth and cultural awareness in its students and provides knowledge and research skills to an ever-changing society. With more than 66,000 students and over 17,000 employees, the UA System is a driving force in the state's economy. Since the inception of the flagship campus in Fayetteville in 1871, the UA System has developed a tradition of excellence that extends to five universities, five community colleges, a college of medicine, two schools of law, a presidential school, a math and science high school and divisions of agriculture, archeology and criminal justice. The individual entities of the UA System maintain cooperative strength as well as diverse offerings that exhibit unmatched economic and social impact to the state. Through the students, faculty, staff and citizens it serves, the UA System drives Arkansas's economy with investment in human capital. In today's knowledge-based society, the entities of the UA System are setting the curve through a diverse field of academic programs, cutting-edge research, workforce training initiatives and public service programs that give Arkansans the tools for a better future. Our Past, Our Future . . . The Arkansas General Assembly established the University in Fayetteville in 1871 as the Arkansas Industrial University, and under the the Morrill Act of 1862, it became the state land-grant institution and first state-assisted college in Arkansas. On opening day, January 22, 1873, there were four teachers and eight students. In 1873 the University established a campus in Pine Bluff, which was designated as a land-grant campus of the University from 1875 until 1927, and then uniting again with the System in 1972. In 1879, the University accepted responsibility for academic management and operation of a privately established not-for-profit medical campus in Little Rock. This campus merged into the University System in 1911, and is now known as the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. In 1969, Little Rock University joined the UA System, becoming the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. In 1971, the Monticello campus was added, dissolving its predecessor, Arkansas A & M College. Phillips Community College in Helena joined the UA System in 1996, later adding campuses in Stuttgart and DeWitt. Also in 1996, Red River Technical College in Hope joined the System and was renamed the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope. In 1998, Gateway Technical College in Batesville joined the System and was renamed the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville. In 2001, Petit Jean College joined the System and was renamed the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton. Also in 2001, Cossatot Technical College joined the System and was renamed Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas. On January 1, 2002, Westark College joined the System and was renamed University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. The most recent additions to the UA System are the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts on January 1, 2004, and the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service on July 1, 2004. Keenly aware of the continually changing world, the University is committed to study and anticipate an evolving society. By updating our offerings and featured programs accordingly, we prepare our students to be leaders of tomorrow. |
About the University
of Arkansas System