Bailey Family Continues Legacy of Giving with Donation to Support Trojan Way Gardens

The Bailey Family is continuing its long legacy of supporting the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a new gift to support the creation of a campus garden in the Trojan Way Project.

Ted Bailey III of Little Rock has made a donation on behalf of his family for $30,000 to sponsor the creation of two gardens that surround the stage at the center of campus in the Ottenheimer Library Plaza. In recognition of the generous gift, the gardens will be named the Ted Bailey III Family Gardens.

“Our family is honored to be a part of the Trojan Way Project,” Ted Bailey III said. “It’s exciting for the university, exciting for our family, and exciting for the city. I hope that these gardens will become a popular gathering spot, build a sense of community for the university, and remain a beautiful symbol for the university and the city of Little Rock.”

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 profoundly grateful to Ted Bailey III and the entire Bailey Family for their enduring generosity and unwavering support of our university,” said Christian O’Neal, vice chancellor for university advancement. “The Bailey name is synonymous with higher education opportunities at UA Little Rock. Their latest donation, dedicated to creating beautiful gardens to enhance our new living and learning environment, will enhance the campus experience for our students and foster a deeper connection with nature. This gift is a testament to their commitment to enriching education and community at our university.”

The Bailey Family has long invested in UA Little Rock to give back to the community and support higher education in Arkansas. The late Dr. Ted Bailey II was one of the university’s earliest supporters. He founded the Society of Philanthropy, a precursor to the current Chancellor’s Circle.

In 2002, a generous donation by the Bailey Family Foundation facilitated the construction of the Bailey Alumni and Friends Center, named after Dr. Bailey and Virginia, his wife of almost 58 years who passed away in 2003. Throughout the year, the Bailey Center hosts numerous events and gatherings, serving as a welcome center to the university family and the community. In May, the university unveiled the Bailey Center’s new Alumni Patio, another part of the Trojan Way Project, a beautiful new gathering space that serves as the home of more than 3,000 alumni bricks dating back to 1927.

The Bailey family has long been staunch supporters of student scholarships, endowing multiple scholarships across various disciplines and departments. In 2015, their family foundation made a direct gift of $2 million to further enhance student scholarship opportunities.

The Baileys also started the Faculty Excellence Awards in 1988, an awards ceremony that recognizes the contributions of outstanding UA Little Rock faculty in teaching, research, public service, and social justice.

“My parents were strong supporters of UA Little Rock,” Ted Bailey said. “My father used to say, ‘In order to have a great city, you need to have a great university.’ They just wanted to make a difference in the community that they love.”

This gift is a part of the Centennial Campaign, UA Little Rock’s 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.

“We hope that this gift and the completion of Trojan Way is the next steppingstone in completing the Centennial Campaign goals for the university,” said Ben Bailey, Ted’s son and a member of the Foundation Fund Board and Centennial Campaign Cabinet at UA Little Rock. “There is much more to do, and I hope others will be inspired to make a gift to the university.”