Chancellor Christina Drale announced the start of the Centennial Campaign, a new capital campaign that celebrates the university鈥檚 100-year anniversary in 2027. The campaign has a goal of raising $250 million by 2027, making the campaign the largest fundraising effort in university history.

鈥淏BQ at Bailey is even more special this year,鈥� Drale said. 鈥淢oney raised in this campaign will benefit the campus community through student scholarships, program excellence, and the living and learning environments. The next five years will be busy and really exciting. Our hope is that you will contribute to the Centennial Campaign in your own way to make a difference for students who are here today and those who will be here in the future. Help us make the next 100 years as great as the first century at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.鈥�

BBQ @ Bailey followed the Centennial Campaign Gala on Oct. 13. Centennial Campaign Co-chairs Alfred Williams and Jerry Damerow, who emceed the gala, were happy to spread support for the campaign to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock supporters at both events.

鈥淭his is just as important for the staff and faculty of this university to engage with the community as it is for the community to engage with the staff and faculty and students, and last night was the perfect example of everyone working together,鈥� Williams said. 鈥淲e got to follow up and keep going with this great event.鈥�

鈥淟ast night was an opportunity for all of us to engage with donors and potential donors, and today is a good chance to engage with students,鈥� Damerow added. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what it’s all about 鈥� the students. Today is a special day and the frosting on the cake from a wonderful event last night.鈥�

The start of the Centennial Campaign included a $6.75 million gift that benefits the School of Engineering and Engineering Technology in memory of the late Dr. Yupo Chan, who was the founding chair of the Department of Systems Engineering. The donors, Susan Chan and Alex Johnson, were honored during the gala event at the Fine Arts Building.

鈥淚 think the donors felt very honored and appreciated and are glad to be part of a new beginning for the engineering school,鈥� said Dr. Lawrence Whitman, dean of the Donaghey College of STEM. 鈥淭his is a great start to support students for the next 100 years of our university. The donors wanted to be a part of the beginning of many more gifts to the university.鈥�

Paige Henry, a soccer player, was one of the dozens of student-athletes who volunteered their time to help set up and serve food during BBQ @ Bailey. Guests enjoyed lunch catered by Whole Hog Caf茅, dessert from Community Bakery, and music by Klassik Entertainment.

鈥淭his is a wonderful event with great energy, good food, and a lot of fun,鈥� Henry said. 鈥淚 enjoy volunteering to help out the university community.鈥�

Loris Fullerton, a 1974 graduate and Alumni Association Board member, recalled her fondness for attending BBQ @ Bailey and connecting with old friends.

鈥淚 think this is a very cool way to get the students and alumni involved,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know a school that works harder than 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. It鈥檚 like a great hometown family to me, and BBQ @ Bailey is the place to be seen.鈥�

Dr. Amar Kanekar, professor and graduate program coordinator for the Health Education and Health Promotion program, enjoyed returning to the event after not attending for several years.

鈥淚 think this is a great tradition to get to meet other people and learn about what is happening on campus,鈥� Kanekar said. 鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 be here last year because of the pandemic, but I am glad to be back. It鈥檚 a great opportunity to be out in the sun, and the food is great.鈥�

Staff Senate President Ross Bradley and Past President Rosalie Shahan were hosting one of several booths representing 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock campus organizations during the picnic.

鈥淚t’s great seeing students, faculty, staff, and members of the community at this annual event and to hear about the Centennial Campaign on campus,鈥� Bradley said. 鈥淏BQ at Bailey is also a great way for campus organizations to promote their individual initiatives. We are here promoting the annual Staff Senate Helping Hands Food Drive, which helps provide food baskets to employees around the holidays in December.鈥�

People can help 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock by joining the Alumni Association, contributing to annual fundraisers, making a donation, or putting the university in their estate plans. More information on the Centennial Campaign is available at /centennial.

Dr. Danyell Crutchfield Cummings, president of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Alumni Board of Directors, invited people to join the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Alumni Association, which annually offers around $100,000 in student scholarships, in addition to helping people create connections.

鈥淭his is one of my favorite events on the campus every year. It was the best opportunity to get together, eat, and enjoy some good weather,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e are alumni, current students, and supporters of our university and our students. Many of you may have benefitted from scholarships at this university. I know I did. Your membership dues will directly benefit general scholarships to help students graduate without debt.鈥�