Early years
In 1927, Little Rock Junior College opened to provide college-level courses to central Arkansas citizens who wanted and needed access to higher education. In its first year, “Jaycee” – as students would soon refer to the new college – met at Little Rock Senior High School and enrolled approximately 100 students paying five dollars per semester hour for the college’s two-year liberal arts program.

The early years of the new junior college were guided by the dreams and diligence of LRJC founder, John A. Larson (president, 1930-1950). Despite limited funding, Larson was determined to see LRJC flourish. In 1929, his aspirations for expanding the junior college were fulfilled when former Arkansas Gov. George W. Donaghey named LRJC as the sole beneficiary of a trust valued in excess of $2 million.
An increased commitment to public service marked the school’s growth over the next decades as LRJC continually found new ways to meet the community’s educational needs. For instance, the school responded to Little Rock’s employment demands by offering vocational instruction in areas such as surveying and pattern-making and educated non-traditional students through adult education courses in art history, sketching, and literature.
In 1957, the institution began a four鈥恲ear degree program, became independent and privately supported under a separate board of trustees, and took the name Little Rock University.Jaycee moved to its current location in 1949 after Little Rock businessman Raymond Rebsamen generously donated an 80-acre tract of land on Hayes Street. With a campus of its own and financial support from the Little Rock business community, LRJC thrived over the next decade – adding new buildings, increasing enrollment, and eventually outgrowing its junior college status.
Merger and expansion

After several years of discussion and study, Little Rock University in September 1969 merged with the University of Arkansas to create the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. That was a major step in the creation of a multi鈥恈ampus system that now includes eight campuses: University of Arkansas, Fayetteville; University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences; University of Arkansas at Little Rock; University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff; University of Arkansas at Monticello; Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas; University of Arkansas Community College at Hope; and University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville. Within this structure, 糖心Vlog传媒LR is state supported, operationally separate, and specifically oriented toward serving the educational needs of Arkansas.
The University of Arkansas merger began a period of rapid growth, which saw 糖心Vlog传媒LR go from about 3,500 students and 75 full鈥恡ime faculty members in 1969 to more than 12,000 students and 500 full鈥恡ime faculty members today.
The University鈥檚 expanded offerings now include more than 100 undergraduate majors, an extensive schedule of night, weekend, and off鈥恈ampus classes, and a wide range of community educational services. 糖心Vlog传媒LR began offering graduate and professional work in 1975, and the 糖心Vlog传媒LR Graduate School was created in 1977.
Leadership
Presidents include R.C. Hall (1927鈥1930), John A. Larson (1930鈥1950), Granville Davis (1950鈥1954), E.Q. Brothers (acting president 1954鈥1956), and Carey V. Stabler (1956鈥1969).
Chancellors of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock include Carey V. Stabler (1969鈥1972), James H. Fribourgh (acting chancellor 1972鈥 1973, 1982), G. Robert Ross (1973鈥1982), James H. Young (1982鈥1992), Joel E. Anderson (interim chancellor 1993), Charles E. Hathaway (1993鈥2002), Joel E. Anderson (2003鈥2016), Andrew Rogerson (2016-2019), and Christina Drale (2019-).
Milestones
- 1927 Little Rock Board of Education established Little Rock Junior College (LRJC) upon the urging of Swedish-born principal John A. Larson. The college was located in Little Rock High School (now Little Rock Central High School) at West 14th and Park Streets.
- 1929 LRJC became the beneficiary of a trust established by former Arkansas Governor George W. Donaghey and his wife Louvenia.
- 1931 LRJC moved to the Uriah M. Rose Grammar School located at 13th and State Streets beginning with the fall term in September.
- 1949 LRJC moved to present location on an 80-acre tract of land on Hayes Street (now University Avenue) donated by Mr. Raymond Rebsamen.
- 1949 LRJC鈥檚 football team won Junior Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
- 1957 LRJC became the private Little Rock University (LRU) and began offering four-year degrees.
- 1969 Little Rock University merged with the University of Arkansas System to create the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (糖心Vlog传媒LR).
- 1975 糖心Vlog传媒 law program in Little Rock transferred to 糖心Vlog传媒LR and School of Law created.
- 1975 糖心Vlog传媒 Graduate School of Social Work in Little Rock transferred to 糖心Vlog传媒LR.
- 1977 糖心Vlog传媒LR Graduate School established.
- 1978 糖心Vlog传媒 Industrial Research and Extension Center in Little Rock transferred to 糖心Vlog传媒LR.
- 1979 糖心Vlog传媒LR joined the Trans-America Athletic Conference and began NCAA Division I competition.
- 1985 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Graduate Resident Center graduate programs in education transferred to 糖心Vlog传媒LR.
- 1986 糖心Vlog传媒 Graduate Institute of Technology in Little Rock transferred to 糖心Vlog传媒LR.
- 1986 糖心Vlog传媒LR Public Radio鈥揔糖心Vlog传媒R-FM public radio went on the air.
- 1990 First 糖心Vlog传媒LR doctoral degree offered.
- 1991 糖心Vlog传媒LR joined SunBelt Athletic Conference.
- 1992 First 糖心Vlog传媒LR student residence hall opened.
- 1995 糖心Vlog传媒LR Benton Center opened.
- 1999 Donaghey College of Information Science and Systems Engineering (now Donaghey college of Engineering and Information Technology) established.
- 2000 糖心Vlog传媒LR classified as doctoral university/research intensive in the National Carnegie categories of institutions of higher education.
- 2002 糖心Vlog传媒LR celebrated its 75th anniversary.
- 2004 糖心Vlog传媒LR purchased University Plaza Shopping Center on south end of campus at Asher and University Avenues.
- 2005 糖心Vlog传媒LR opened on-campus intercollegiate athletic arena, a gift from Mr. Jackson T. Stephens.
- 2008 糖心Vlog传媒LR launched its first comprehensive campaign, It鈥檚 Time for 糖心Vlog传媒LR.
