Theme: Military Service: Breaking Barriers and Building Futures

Don’t miss our Veteran Information Fair, Community Lunch, and UCA Musical Guests!

Come and have the opportunity to visit with 30 organizations that support veterans, military personnel, and their families. Get information about benefits, services, assistance, and resources from federal, state, private and nonprofit organizations. Stay for the ceremony and enjoy fantastic music performed by the UCA Student Brass Quintet and UCA Concert Choir, followed by notable speakers!

2024 Information Fair
Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts, UCA
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

2024 Ceremony, Scholarship Presentation, and UCA Musical Guests
Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Concert Hall, UCA
Time: 1:40 – 2:30 p.m.

The University of Central Arkansas (UCA) will observe its annual Veterans Day Celebration on Thursday, November 7, 2024. The information fair will begin at 12:00 p.m. and the ceremony will start at 1:40. The 2024 theme will be Military Service: Breaking Barriers and Building Futures.  The event will honor the service of all veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and feature notable speakers, food, and live music from our UCA music department. The Veterans Information Fair provides valuable information on employment opportunities, support, and other services that are available to veterans on campus and in the community. In addition, students will be awarded scholarships during the ceremony. We encourage you to join us by attending the ceremony and becoming an exhibitor at the Information Fair event. We welcome businesses and organizations of all kinds to come out to support our local veterans by sharing information and/or showcasing their business to attendees.

2024 Keynote Speaker: Brig. General Leland “Tony” Sheppard, Land Component Commander

Brigadier General Leland “Tony “Shepherd is the Land Component Commander in charge of the Arkansas Army National Guard. A native Guyana, South America, he is a graduate of Montgomery County Community College in Pennsylvania, Webster University, Philander Smith College, University of Charleston, and Army War College.

BG Shepherd  has graduated from  these Colleges and Universities with a Bachelor degree in Organizational Management, a Masters in IT and Strategic Studies, and a Doctoral degree in Executive Leadership. He is currently a Regional Vice President of Operations at PODS. BG Shepherd is married and has five children.

BG Shepherd enlisted into the US Army Reserves in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 23rd, 1992.  He served two years as an X-Ray Technician at Blanchfield Hospital. BG Shepherd enlisted in the Arkansas Army National Guard in October 1995. In 1997, BG Shepherd enrolled into Officer Candidate School Class 41 where he received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in August 1998.