UA Little Rock Raises $500,000 Early in Enduring Opportunity Challenge
UA Little Rock has reached the first milestone in the Enduring Opportunity Scholarship challenge, raising $500,000 five months ahead of schedule.
The Enduring Opportunity Scholarship was created to permanently sustain UA Little Rock’s commitment to affordability, supporting initiatives such as the Half-Off Scholarship and the Trojan Guarantee.
The effort was launched following a transformative $7.5 million gift from the Windgate Foundation. As part of that investment, Windgate challenged the university to raise $1.5 million to unlock the final $1.5 million of its commitment. By meeting that challenge, UA Little Rock will transform the foundation’s original gift into a $9 million permanent source of scholarship support.
This milestone moves the university closer to ensuring that financial hardship is never the reason a student walks away from a degree.
“This investment ensures that students — not just today, but for years to come — can earn a high-quality degree without overwhelming financial burden,” said Chancellor Christina S. Drale. “That kind of stability strengthens families, communities, and our state.”
The Phase One milestone was made possible through coordinated efforts across Advancement, Enrollment, and Marketing and Communications, who worked together to engage alumni and supporters with targeted outreach and student impact stories.
With Phase One complete, the university now turns its focus to raising the remaining $1 million before the June 30, 2027 deadline, with leaders hopeful the goal can be met even earlier.
Christian O’Neal, Vice Chancellor for Advancement, said the early momentum reflects strong belief in the university’s direction and mission.
“Our donors understand that this is about long-term access,” O’Neal said. “They believe in what’s happening at UA Little Rock, and they’re stepping forward to be part of it. Raising $500,000 ahead of schedule sends a clear message that we have the support and the resolve to finish this challenge.”
Phase One donors who established Enduring Opportunity Endowed Scholarships include:
- Christina S. Drale
- Mary and Sean Glancy (via J.R. Bizzell)
- The Stevens Family
- Rodney M. Abston Family
- Carol and James Hendren
- The Shuffield Family
- Dr. Eleanor Kennedy and Dr. Lee Able
- Joni and George Lee
- 35+ faculty and staff
- Anonymous donors
Their generosity is already impacting students like Erryn Washington, a nursing student who said receiving scholarship support changed her college experience.
“When I received my scholarship, it felt like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders,” Washington said. “Before that, I worried constantly about how I was going to pay for school. Now I can focus on finishing my degree and preparing for a career in healthcare.”
Every gift to the Enduring Opportunity Scholarship helps unlock the full Windgate investment and strengthens UA Little Rock’s long-term commitment to keeping education within reach for students across Arkansas.
To learn more or to make a gift, visit https://ualr.edu/centennial/enduring-opportunity/