UA Little Rock Receives $25,000 Gift from James and Carol Hendren to Support Enduring Opportunity Scholarship

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has received a generous $25,000 gift from James and Carol Hendren to support the university’s Enduring Opportunity Scholarship Program.

The new fund is named the Carol and James Hendren Enduring Opportunity Endowed Scholarship. It supports UA Little Rock’s Enduring Opportunity initiative, a major fundraising effort launched in spring 2025. The initiative began with a $7.5 million gift from the Windgate Foundation to create both an endowment and immediate-use funds that support access to affordable, high-quality education for Arkansas students forever.

James Hendren said he hopes this gift will help ease financial barriers for students pursuing a college education and help strengthen the state’s workforce.

“I strongly believe in the advancement of economic development in Arkansas and the growth of our city here in Little Rock,” Hendren said. “We need more college graduates to improve the ecosystem we live in. We know many people struggle with tuition, so we thought this was a great program to help expand access.”

The gift also helps propel the UA Little Rock Centennial Campaign, the largest fundraising effort in the university’s history, toward its goal. With this contribution, the university has raised more than $234 million — or nearly 94% of its $250 million goal — toward its 2027 centennial celebration.

“We need the university to do well to help grow and support the local economy,” Hendren said. “This centennial goal is key to improving the university, so it makes sense to support programs and scholarships that help it succeed.”

To make a lasting commitment to student opportunity, please contact Stephanie Purifoy at 501-773-6955 or email [email protected].