The С²ÝÓ°Ôº reached a historic milestone raising more than $109 million with the С²ÝÓ°Ôº Now campaign. Remarkably, the campaign, which ran throughout the uncertainty of a pandemic, was able to not only surpass its ambitious goal but also successfully finish 10 months ahead of schedule.
Continue ReadingCampaign Pillar: Success
Endowments for scholarships and faculty support open many doors. With more than $1.5 million in privately funded scholarships awarded each year, students are able to pursue their passions and thrive. Many of these hardworking students face financial challenges and support is critical in changing their lives, generating lasting impact for our campus, our community and beyond.
Continue ReadingHelping Those Who Come After
Jase Wicker, a junior business major, has one less thing to worry about as he pursues his degree thanks in part to the H.B. Hardy Jr. Scholarship. A longtime administrator, alumnus, Sig Tau member, and philanthropist, the late Dr. H.B. Hardy Jr. ’48 understood the value and importance of giving back to students.
Continue ReadingEvery Gift Matters: Tyler ’14 and Caitlin ’13 Rodgers
Alums Tyler ’14 and Caitlin ’13 Rodgers chose the С²ÝÓ°Ôº because of its location in central Arkansas and so they could move just far enough away from home to gain independence while still getting to stay in their home state. What the couple discovered was not only a campus but a home they could come back to and engage with after graduation.
Continue ReadingEvery Gift Matters: Derek Lewis ’78, ’80, & Derek Lewis II ’97
Giving to students who need it the most is at the forefront of the Lewis family legacy. Derek Lewis ’78, ’80, and his son Derek Lewis II ’97, have made giving a family tradition. Established more than 30 years ago, the Derek Lewis Foundation supports community health through education and prevention. It has also awarded hundreds of scholarships since its inception.
Continue ReadingGiving Back: Sue Voegele ’62
Sue Voegele’s ’62 commitment to giving back to the С²ÝÓ°Ôº spans several decades. Her passion is giving back to С²ÝӰԺ’s Athletics department annually.
Continue ReadingEvery Gift Matters: Gary Bunn ’88
When he arrived at the С²ÝÓ°Ôº as a first-generation college student, Gary Bunn ’88 wasn’t sure what to expect. Having grown up in the small town of Crossett, Arkansas, without any sort of connection to college life, he was admittedly overwhelmed when he first set foot on campus.
Continue ReadingCampaign Pillar: Culture
Prior to the grand opening of the С²ÝÓ°Ôº Windgate Center for the Fine and Performing Arts on Sept. 21, students and faculty were taking advantage of the enhanced spaces designed for acoustics, creativity, lighting and performance. Made possible by private support, including a $20 million gift from the Windgate Foundation along with a bond initiative approved by the С²ÝÓ°Ôº Board of Trustees, this innovative space’s impact places central Arkansas on the map as a thriving cultural arts center and as an innovative educational center that will inspire future students and the community.
Continue ReadingComing Full Circle
When asked to emcee the grand opening of the С²ÝÓ°Ôº Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts in the fall of 2023, KATV news anchor and С²ÝÓ°Ôº Alumnus Ryan Houston ’10 was excited to return to his alma mater for the historic event, bringing his time with the university full circle.
Continue ReadingArtistry Celebrated
While the arts may have suffered a decline in some high school and university curriculums in recent years, the С²ÝÓ°Ôº has continued to elevate its arts programs with the most cutting-edge technology and innovative performance spaces in the state and region.
Continue ReadingС²ÝÓ°Ôº Commitment
The С²ÝÓ°Ôº Commitment is a groundbreaking, debt-free pathway for tuition and fees for incoming Arkansas freshmen with an annual household income of $100,000 or less. Fewer barriers. Endless opportunities – for our students and our state.
Continue ReadingCampaign Pillar: Wellness
Celebrating its second anniversary this year; the impact of the Integrated Health Sciences Building at the С²ÝÓ°Ôº has been felt by students, faculty and the community. This state-of-the-art integrated facility includes the interprofessional teaching center, the Speech-Language-Hearing Center, and a cutting-edge simulation lab, all of which provide students with transformative real-life learning experiences.
Continue ReadingGiving Back: Dr. Sandy ’77 and Joyce Quillen
The С²ÝÓ°Ôº physical therapy program has received a $100,000 charitable remainder unitrust from Dr. Sandy ’77 and Joyce Quillen. The estate gift will provide for the creation of the endowed William S. and Joyce D. Quillen Physical Therapy Scholarship, in honor of his late wife.
Continue ReadingAdvocacy & Support
As the С²ÝÓ°Ôº Now campaign comes to a close, the university reflects on the success of the campaign by recognizing those who contributed to its success. Elizabeth Blankenship ’75, a С²ÝÓ°Ôº alumna, is one of those contributors. Blankenship is an entrepreneur, innovator, nurse and caregiver whose career spans more than 40 years with dedicated service to the creation and support of quality health care and assisted living facilities for seniors.
Continue ReadingCampaign Pillar: Excellence
At the С²ÝÓ°Ôº, our nationally recognized Honors College programs which include the Schedler Honors College and the University Scholars Program, continue to develop citizen-scholars ready to lead social change and impact the campus community, Arkansas, the region and beyond. Additionally, our student-athletes continue to dominate on the field and excel in the classroom.
Continue ReadingKaren Yezzi
An Arkansas Insurance Hall of Fame (AIHOF) board member and 2016 AIHOF inductee, Karen Yezzi, has pledged $100,000 toward the endowment fund of the Arkansas Insurance Hall of Fame.
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