Bailey Family Continues Legacy of Giving with Donation to Support Trojan Way Gardens
The Bailey Family is continuing its long legacy of supporting the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a new gift to support the creation of a campus garden in the Trojan Way Project.
Ted Bailey III of Little Rock has made a donation on behalf of his family for $30,000 to sponsor the creation of two gardens that surround the stage at the center of campus in the Ottenheimer Library Plaza. In recognition of the generous gift, the gardens will be named the Ted Bailey III Family Gardens.
鈥淥ur family is honored to be a part of the Trojan Way Project,鈥� Ted Bailey III said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting for the university, exciting for our family, and exciting for the city. I hope that these gardens will become a popular gathering spot, build a sense of community for the university, and remain a beautiful symbol for the university and the city of Little Rock.鈥�
The Trojan Way Project includes a series of campus improvement and renovation projects, funded by a grant from the Donaghey Foundation, that will significantly transform the face of the university for many years to come. Trojan Way includes a new north to south promenade with enhanced walkways, seating areas, and gathering spaces.
“We are profoundly grateful to Ted Bailey III and the entire Bailey Family for their enduring generosity and unwavering support of our university,鈥� said Christian O鈥橬eal, vice chancellor for university advancement. 鈥淭he Bailey name is synonymous with higher education opportunities at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. Their latest donation, dedicated to creating beautiful gardens to enhance our new living and learning environment, will enhance the campus experience for our students and foster a deeper connection with nature. This gift is a testament to their commitment to enriching education and community at our university.”
The Bailey Family has long invested in 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock to give back to the community and support higher education in Arkansas. The late Dr. Ted Bailey II was one of the university鈥檚 earliest supporters. He founded the Society of Philanthropy, a precursor to the current Chancellor鈥檚 Circle.
In 2002, a generous donation by the Bailey Family Foundation facilitated the construction of the Bailey Alumni and Friends Center, named after Dr. Bailey and Virginia, his wife of almost 58 years who passed away in 2003. Throughout the year, the Bailey Center hosts numerous events and gatherings, serving as a welcome center to the university family and the community. In May, the university unveiled the Bailey Center鈥檚 new Alumni Patio, another part of the Trojan Way Project, a beautiful new gathering space that serves as the home of more than 3,000 alumni bricks dating back to 1927.
The Bailey family has long been staunch supporters of student scholarships, endowing multiple scholarships across various disciplines and departments. In 2015, their family foundation made a direct gift of $2 million to further enhance student scholarship opportunities.
The Baileys also started the Faculty Excellence Awards in 1988, an awards ceremony that recognizes the contributions of outstanding 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock faculty in teaching, research, public service, and social justice.
鈥淢y parents were strong supporters of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock,鈥� Ted Bailey said. 鈥淢y father used to say, 鈥業n order to have a great city, you need to have a great university.鈥� They just wanted to make a difference in the community that they love.鈥�
This gift is a part of the Centennial Campaign, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 campaign to raise $250 million in time for the university鈥檚 100-year anniversary in 2027. The campaign pillars include scholarships, student support, program excellence, and the living and learning environment. Find out more about the Centennial Campaign by visiting .
鈥淲e hope that this gift and the completion of Trojan Way is the next steppingstone in completing the Centennial Campaign goals for the university,鈥� said Ben Bailey, Ted鈥檚 son and a member of the Foundation Fund Board and Centennial Campaign Cabinet at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淭here is much more to do, and I hope others will be inspired to make a gift to the university.鈥�