A Stephens Inc. vice president and UALR graduate, has confirmed her intention to make a $250,000 gift through her will and establish an endowed professorship in the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.

The Ellen M. Gray Endowed Professorship of Art History was established recently by Gray and was funded by a charitable bequest inspired by UALR professor of art history, Dr. Floyd W. Martin.

Gray also funded the creation of the Dr. Floyd W. Martin Endowment with a current gift of $25,000 to provide permanent support to the professor of art history in the UALR Department of Art and to recognize Martin’s distinguished 31-year teaching career.

A portion of the interest earned is designated to the department for the use by the professor.

Martin received his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign prior to joining the UALR faculty in 1982 as a professor of art history. Today he serves as president of the Southeastern College Art Conference and has also participated in The Attingham Trust‘s summer study program over the last 30 years.

Due to family difficulties, Gray dropped out of high school after the 10th grade and later earned her high school certificate. As a non-traditional student, she began her first college classes at age 26, attending classes at night and on Saturdays at Little Rock University (now UALR) while working full-time.

She has served in many leadership positions in the community and has been employed as an executive vice president at Stephens Inc. since 1987. Gray has served on the UALR Foundation Fund Board and is a member of the UALR Heritage Society.

Dr. Martin expressed his appreciation to Gray noting that “her gift would have a lasting influence on professorship and the students who will benefit from what they teach in the years ahead.”

For more information on establishing an endowment at UALR, contact Anne Bradford Mourning at 501.569.8429.