Mary and Dan Littlefield of North Little Rock believe in putting their money where their hearts are. The director of UALR’s Sequoyah National Research Center, Littlefield and his wife made their first gift to UALR in January 1984 and so far the total is just under $300,000.

“Since the start of UALR’s comprehensive campaign, “It’s Time for UALR” launched last year, the Littlefields have pledged $131,950 to various areas of campus,” said Bob Denman, executive director of the Office of Development.

The majority of the funds have gone to the Sequoyah National Research Center’s annual symposium fund. The annual educational event draws attendees from across the United States each fall.

Why do they do it?

“I have always felt that if you work in a place, you have a stake in that institution,” Littlefield said. “UALR has provided me with a workplace and lot of support for the Sequoyah National Research Center. It is a project I helped found and have a strong sense of pride in.”

He has also targeted his giving to the Ottenheimer Library at UALR.

“Those are the top institutions that have supported my research,” he said.

The SNRC is dedicated to acquiring and preserving the writings and ideas of native North Americans by collecting the written word and art of indigenous people and establishing an archival home for their creative work. The center is home to the American Native Press Archives, the world’s largest collection of American Indian, Alaska Native and Canadian First Nation newspapers and periodicals in hard copy, microfilm, and digital formats. The center also is home to the Dr. J.W. Wiggins Native American Art Collection, which contains more than 2,300 pieces, including painting, beadwork, pottery, basketry.

The Sequoyah Center is also a teaching and research unit for students at UALR, other universities and students from K-12 schools.

Littlefield said the center serves visiting scholars from across the country and the world and public organizations such as the National Park Service, the National Trail of Tears Association, and the Native American Journalists Association.

“The project is really significant for Indian country and, hopefully one day, for everyone,” Littlefield said.

Haskell Dickinson, chair of UALR’s comprehensive campaign, said Littlefield’s contributions provide more than money to UALR.

“Dr. Littlefield is one of our faculty members who believes in giving back to his own area – this makes is much better for asking for gifts from others,” Dickinson said.

For more information about UALR’s comprehensive campaign, visit It’s Time for UALR.