The university’s music department has helped develop many leaders before sending them out to the world. Senior Mary Poppelreiter, a music education major, is one student who has left her mark at UCA.

Poppelreiter, a native of Conway who will graduate in May, has been in band since fifth grade and has played flute for 13 years. At UCA, Poppelreiter has been involved in various organizations on campus, especially Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority.

Poppelreiter hasn’t changed her major since entering school in fall 2005.

“I knew in high school that I wanted to teach music to high school and middle school band students,” Poppelreiter said.

As a requirement of the music education degree, Poppelreiter is currently a student teacher with the Pulaski County Special School District. With graduation only weeks away, Poppelreiter’s goal is simply to graduate, find a job and start her career as a music educator.

While at UCA many teachers have made an impact on Poppelreiter’s musical career at UCA, two have recently made an impact: Associate Director of Bands Steven Smyth and Associate Professor of Music Education Paige Rose.

“Both [Smyth and Rose] have helped and guided me to become the musician and educator I am today. They are very dedicated to music and to this university and have given enormous amounts of time and advice to all students,” Poppelreiter said.

Poppelreiter’s most memorable reminiscence came from her family’s move to Arkansas.

“The day we moved I was very upset to leave my friends and my rental flute,” she said. “As we were loading the car my parents brought me one last bag … I looked in the bag and saw a brand new flute. I was so excited and … knew that I would never stop playing my flute and loving music as much as I do.”