Creating a Lasting Legacy Through an Enduring Opportunity Scholarship

After more than four decades of teaching, leading, and championing students at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Deborah Baldwin and James Metzger are continuing their commitment to the university by establishing the Dr. Deborah J. Baldwin Enduring Opportunity Endowed Scholarship. 

The planned gift will support the Enduring Opportunity Scholarship Program, helping reduce financial barriers for students while creating a lasting legacy at the university that shaped the couple’s lives and careers. 

For Baldwin and Metzger, supporting student success has always felt personal. 

When they arrived in Little Rock in the hot summer of 1980, they expected to stay a couple of years. Instead, they built careers, lifelong friendships, and a deep connection to the university and community. Now, they hope their investment in UA Little Rock will continue strengthening the community they call home. 

Their desire to give back took shape nearly 20 years ago after attending a campus awards ceremony recognizing outstanding students and faculty. Hearing students describe the challenges they faced reminded Metzger of his own college experience. 

“One of the things that most appealed to us was that we were former students who benefited from scholarships and awards,” Metzger said. “Tuition wasn’t what it is today, but we still worked every summer to help pay for college, and receiving scholarships made a difference in our education.” 

“Some of the most meaningful moments in a student’s education happen outside the classroom,” Baldwin said. “If students have to work full time just to make ends meet, they often don’t have the opportunity to study abroad, participate in research, complete internships, or take part in experiences that can shape the rest of their lives.” 

Metzger said scholarships can help to reduce the need for students to work so much while attending classes.

 “If we can help students work a little less, or maybe not every summer, it eases that burden and lets them focus on completing their degree and experiencing all college has to offer,” he said.

The desire to remove financial barriers made the Enduring Opportunity Scholarship Program a natural fit for their philanthropy. They knew they wanted to support the Enduring Opportunity Scholarship Program after attending the public announcement in May 2025. 

When Chancellor Christina S. Drale “shared the vision for what these funds could do for students, we looked at each other and knew it was the right time,” Baldwin said. “We actually stopped her that day and told her we wanted to be on board.”

Their gift also represents a new way to support students. Baldwin and Metzger are the first donors to establish an Enduring Opportunity scholarship through a charitable gift annuity, opening another way for donors to support future generations of students. 

Baldwin, who served as chair of the Department of History, dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, and interim provost, spent much of her career helping the university grow through new programs, initiatives, and strategic planning. She felt helping establish another avenue for charitable giving was also a way to move the university forward. 

“If this creates another opportunity for someone to give, that’s a wonderful outcome,” she said. 

Metzger recently closed his economic consulting business and is no longer teaching economics part-time at the university. The charitable gift annuity makes possible the largest philanthropic commitment of their careers, while providing additional financial security in retirement. 

“When you’re retired, you wonder whether you’ll have all the resources you’ll need,” Metzger said. “The charitable gift annuity lets us do something meaningful now while still providing income during our lifetime. When we’re gone, the remainder goes to the university. It really is the best of both worlds.” 

When it came time to name the scholarship, Metzger knew exactly what he wanted to do.

 “Deborah spent more than 40 years here and served in so many different roles,” he said. “It seemed appropriate to put it in her name. She’s the one who deserves the recognition.” 

Baldwin said she was touched by the gesture but quickly shared the credit with her husband. 

“It’s a gift from us both,” she said. “We want it to support students broadly. I’ve spent most of my career at this university, and it makes me feel good to know we’ll continue helping students long after we’re gone.” 

A city the size of Little Rock “needs a university if it’s going to thrive. We know many people who believe in this university, (but) they may not have taken the next step yet,” Baldwin said. “We hope our gift encourages others to take that next step.” 

To learn more about supporting the Enduring Opportunity Scholarship Program, including planned giving opportunities such as charitable gift annuities, contact the development office at 501-916-3194.