Riggs Benevolent Fund Donates $100,000 to Support Trojan Way Project at UA Little Rock
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has received a generous $100,000 donation from the Riggs Benevolent Fund to support the Trojan Way Project.
This transformative contribution aims to enhance campus connectivity and provide a welcoming gateway for students, faculty, and visitors. In recognition of the gift, UA Little Rock will name the north terminus of Trojan Way, which begins on 28th St., in honor of John A. Riggs, Jr.
“The Riggs Benevolent Fund has been involved with UA Little Rock for as long as I can remember,” said Keith Riggs, a trustee of the Riggs Benevolent Fund. “This project is honoring my grandfather, John A. Riggs Jr., who served as a member of the Board of Trustees for Little Rock University and on the Board of Visitors for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He was a big believer in the university, and the family is a big believer in the university. This is one of many projects we’ve been involved with over the years.”
The Trojan Way Project includes a series of campus improvement and renovation projects, funded by a grant from the Donaghey Foundation, that will significantly transform the face of the university for many years to come. Trojan Way includes a new north to south promenade with enhanced walkways, seating areas, and gathering spaces.
“We are deeply grateful to the Riggs Benevolent Fund for their generous $100,000 donation to support Trojan Way,” said Kristi Smith, associate vice chancellor for alumni and development. “As we will celebrate the university’s historic centennial anniversary in just a few years, it’s fitting that we name the north terminus of Trojan Way in honor of one of the university’s earlier supporters. This wonderful contribution will play a crucial role in advancing our mission and enhancing the campus experience for our students.”
Little Rock-based Riggs Cat, which was founded by Keith’s great-grandfather in 1927, has dealt in the heavy equipment used in projects that transformed and advanced the state’s construction and infrastructure for five generations. The family’s philanthropic fund, the Riggs Benevolent Fund, is a strong supporter of community organizations, healthcare, and education in Arkansas. Each new generation of the family is taught the importance of community engagement.
“When I started at Riggs Cat back in 1984, I was taught to give back to the community by my father, Jack Riggs, and my uncle, Bob Cress,” Keith Riggs said. “Giving back to the community is a foundation of both the Riggs and Cress families. The community needs to have a good educational system to grow and improve, which in turn improves the way of life for Arkansans.”
John A. Riggs, Jr., the chairman emeritus of J.A. Riggs Tractor Co., served with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during World War II as well as Arkansas’s representative on President Dwight Eisenhower’s Interstate Commerce Commission. He was instrumental in successfully turning the Arkansas River into a navigable system, serving in a number of key roles over the years. He was the director of the Interstate Committee on Arkansas River Development, president of the Pulaski County Flood Control Association, chairman of the Port and Harbor Committee of the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, and president of the Arkansas Basin Association. In 1961, he testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Works as part of the Tri-State Committee for Development of the Arkansas River Basin.
The late Riggs was highly involved in the community and served in many leadership roles. These include being president of the Downtown Kiwanis Club, president of the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Little Rock Port Authority, trustee of the Little Rock Boys and Girls Club, director of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce, and trustee of the First United Methodist Church of Little Rock, among many others.
This gift is a part of the Centennial Campaign, UA Little Rock’s capital campaign to raise $250,000 million in time for the university’s 100-year anniversary in 2027. The campaign pillars include scholarships, student support, program excellence, and the living and learning environment. Find out more about the Centennial Campaign by visiting ualr.edu/centennial.
