“When I learned about Enduring Opportunity, I looked it up and realized it was right in line with my desire to support scholarships,鈥� Gina Pharis said.聽

Longtime supporters of both 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and Little Rock Public Radio, they have remained actively engaged with the university for years. Their latest gift of $25,000 to create the Gina and Brett Pharis Enduring Opportunity Scholarship expands that commitment while helping more students pursue a college degree.

“The university helped shape who I became,” Pharis said.

As a theatre student, she overcame her fear of speaking in front of an audience and discovered new opportunities through coursework in radio, television, and film.

“I learned about radio, television, and film and went on to work at my one and only radio job at KARN in 1985,” she said.

The lessons she learned extended beyond the classroom. The relationships she built with faculty and fellow students left a lasting impact. 

“I was even invited to one of my professor’s retirement parties,” Pharis said. “The connections I made through all those impactful college days bring me back to the school.”

Years later, serving on the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Alumni Board gave her a deeper understanding of the role philanthropy plays in supporting students and advancing the university’s mission.

“Honestly, serving on the Alumni Board enlightened me to give in a philanthropic way,” she said.

Through their support of Enduring Opportunity, Gina and Brett Pharis hope to help more students earn a degree while reducing the financial burdens that can stand in the way of graduation.

“The impact will be substantial,” Pharis said. “It will be measured in the number of graduates over the coming years and the success of each student receiving that diploma with little to zero tuition debt. The smile on students’ faces will be worth every penny.”

The couple also sees the scholarship as an investment in the future of Little Rock and Arkansas.

“This program is designed to help each student have less stress and recognize how 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is helping them succeed, creating loyalty,” Pharis said. “The business community is working closely with departments all over campus scouting local talent. We are keeping students in Central Arkansas. 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is a gold mine for the businesses of Little Rock.”

As longtime supporters of the university, Gina and Brett hope others will find ways to stay connected and support future generations of students.

“I would ask every graduate to stay in touch,” Pharis said. “Join the Alumni Association, stay connected, and find ways to be involved. I would also encourage business owners who have a connection to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock to get involved on a deeper level. Find their passion and support it.”

For Gina and Brett Pharis, supporting Enduring Opportunity is both a way to give back to a university that made a lasting impact on their lives and an investment in the students who will help shape Arkansas’s future.

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Now, decades later, she is paying that opportunity forward by establishing the Mimi San Pedro Enduring Opportunity Endowed Scholarship at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. Through a $25,000 commitment, the scholarship will support the university’s Enduring Opportunity Scholarship program, helping students overcome financial barriers and pursue their educational goals.

“My family and I moved to the United States in the 1970s when the Philippines were under Martial Law,” San Pedro said. “We started over here in Little Rock, where we had family. I graduated from Mount St. Mary’s and was accepted to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, but I needed financial assistance. Through a combination of scholarships, grants, and working while in school, I was able to earn my degree, join a sorority, and graduate in four years.”

The experience opened doors that shaped her future. The education she received at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock helped launch a career that would make her a well-known leader in Arkansas’ business and nonprofit communities. 

Over more than 30 years, San Pedro held leadership roles in marketing, technology, entrepreneurship, and economic development, including serving as chief strategy officer for The Venture Center and mentoring the next generation of Arkansas leaders.

“I have been successful in business and life since then, and I wanted to give back,” she said.

San Pedro hopes her gift will create opportunities for students whose circumstances may be similar to her own.

“My family and I believe education is the key to a successful and fruitful life, so I chose to support 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock because it supported me,” she said. “My hope is that this gift will help someone like me get the education they need to be successful.”

The Enduring Opportunity Scholarship program helps students cover educational expenses, including tuition, books, fees, and room and board. The endowed scholarship will provide ongoing support for students with financial need and/or academic merit.

Beyond helping individual students, San Pedro sees the scholarship as an investment in Arkansas’ future workforce.

“Our state needs more educated individuals to help fill the skilled worker shortage,” she said. “The increasing number of technology companies and the anticipated impact of the lithium industry mean there will be even greater demand for educated and skilled professionals. Hopefully, those graduates will come from our universities and remain here in Arkansas.”

She encourages others who care about the future of Arkansas to consider supporting students through the university.

“If education is important to you and you recognize that Arkansas must compete for talent in the future and keep our talent here, then you have to invest in 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students,” San Pedro said.

For San Pedro, supporting 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is both a thank you for the opportunities she received and an investment in the students who will help shape Arkansas’ future.

To make a lasting commitment to student opportunity, please contact the Office of Alumni & Development at 501-916-3194 or email development@ualr.edu

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The gift from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock alumnus and retired attorney James Bruce McMath and his wife, Becky, contributes to the Shellam Flake Planetarium Endowment Fund.

As 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock prepares to reopen the planetarium this fall, the endowment ensures the facility has the long-term support needed for operations, programming, and staffing, positioning it as a lasting destination for students and the community.

For McMath, the investment is deeply personal, rooted in a lifelong fascination with the night sky.

鈥淚 am a space race baby,鈥� McMath said. 鈥淚 was eight when Sputnik launched, and I followed it with the same enthusiasm as some people follow a sports team.鈥�

That early curiosity grew into a serious pursuit. What began as a telescope for his son turned into a lifelong passion, including building telescope mirrors and conducting amateur research. Today, McMath operates a robotic telescope and has contributed more than 130,000 observations of variable stars to an international database.

He sees the planetarium as a way to share that sense of discovery with others, especially at a time when fewer people have experienced the night sky in its full form.

鈥淭he reality is, without question, the greatest natural spectacle is the Milky Way stretching across the night sky,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut these days, few people have ever truly seen it.鈥�

A planetarium, he said, can help bridge that gap by giving people a broader understanding of the universe and their place within it.

鈥淎 planetarium can open people鈥檚 eyes and minds to the reality of our situation here on our little planet,鈥� McMath said.

Supporting the endowment is also a way for McMath to give back to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

鈥溙切腣log传媒 Little Rock was an important element in my personal development, and I have not done much to pay it back,鈥� he said.

He also sees the planetarium as a key connection point between the university and the city.

鈥淭he planetarium will be an ambassadorial and educational tool for the university,鈥� McMath said. 鈥淚t is an investment in the community that will build pride in the university among city residents and help people better understand our place in the universe.鈥�

Their support helps position the planetarium as a long-term asset for both the university and Central Arkansas.

Learn more about the Shellam Flake Planetarium at

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The gift from Centennial Campaign co-chair Jerry Damerow and his wife, Sherri, supports the Shellam Flake Planetarium Endowment Fund in the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (DCSTEM), adding to ongoing investments in the planetarium鈥檚 future.

As 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock prepares to reopen the planetarium this fall, the endowment ensures the facility has the long-term support needed for operations, programming, and staffing, positioning it as a lasting destination for students and the community.

鈥淚 believe the planetarium and the Science Triangle project will help interest young people in science and attract them to the beautifully updated 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock campus,鈥� Damerow said. 鈥淪TEM education is extremely important in our rapidly changing economy, and we will need more scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs to power our Central Arkansas economy.鈥�

For Damerow, the planetarium is also about creating experiences that draw people to campus and spark interest in science.

鈥淚 think the planetarium will be a magnet, attracting not only young people but also adults to campus. Getting people on campus is an important way of showcasing what the university has to offer and why it is so important to our community.鈥�

Their support adds to early efforts to ensure the planetarium鈥檚 long-term success. Although not alumni, the Damerows said supporting 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is an investment in the community they call home.

鈥淭his is the community that I love and that has warmly welcomed us,鈥� he said. 鈥淎 strong university here will help attract the talent needed to build our future economy. Our state capital needs a great research university, and that is 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. If those of us who love Arkansas do not participate in building this great state, it will not happen.鈥�

Learn more about the Shellam Flake Planetarium at .

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She鈥檚 sponsoring two in honor of her grandchildren, Sadie and Henry, making the project personal long before the doors open.

鈥淚 can鈥檛 think of a better way to celebrate curiosity and discovery than by supporting a space like the planetarium,鈥� Bain said. 鈥淜nowing Sadie and Henry will have a connection to this experience, and that so many other children will be inspired here, makes this especially meaningful.鈥�

That same opportunity is now available to others.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is inviting alumni, friends, and community partners to support the return of the planetarium through a new seat sponsorship program.

Following a $1.2 million gift to restore and modernize the Shellam Flake Planetarium, the university is offering a limited opportunity for supporters to sponsor seats inside the facility. Each sponsored seat will include a personalized nameplate displayed for five years.

鈥淭he return of the planetarium to our campus is a transformative moment for 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, and our seat sponsorship program offers our community a unique opportunity to be a part of that legacy,鈥� said Dr. Tansel Karabacak, dean of the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. 鈥淲e invite alumni, friends, and partners to lend their support and help inspire the next generation of scientists, educators, and explorers right here in central Arkansas.鈥�

Seat sponsorships are available for $2,500 for a five-year term, with the option to make a one-time gift or a five-year pledge of $500 per year. Sponsors will receive a personalized nameplate on a planetarium seat for the duration of the sponsorship, with the opportunity to renew at the end of the five-year period.

Sponsors may choose to recognize an individual, family, organization, or honor the memory of a loved one. Seat selections will be available on a first-come, first-served basis once commitments are confirmed.

Funds raised through the program will support the planetarium鈥檚 educational mission, including:

• STEM education programs
• K鈥�12 school field trips
• Public planetarium shows
• Equipment maintenance and upgrades
• Student learning experiences

The restored Shellam Flake Planetarium will serve as a multidisciplinary learning space, creating hands-on opportunities for students across campus. The space will feature student artwork in adjacent outdoor areas, involve students in developing the planetarium鈥檚 visual identity, and provide business students opportunities to create and implement marketing plans.

The planetarium is scheduled to open in Fall 2026. To learn more about the planetarium or to purchase a seat, visit ualr.edu/planetarium or call Lloyd Webre at 501-951-1794.

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The centennial celebration will begin July 1, 2026, marking 100 years since the university鈥檚 founding. Events throughout the year-long celebration will reflect on the institution鈥檚 history and explore its future direction.

A university-wide Centennial Committee began meeting in mid-March and will continue to meet monthly, with subcommittees convening regularly to guide key focus areas of the celebration.

鈥淎s we begin planning for our centennial, we have a meaningful opportunity to recognize the people and milestones that have shaped 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock,鈥� said Dr. Carrie Phillips, chair of the Centennial Committee. 鈥淛ust as importantly, this effort is about positioning the university for continued growth and impact in the years ahead.鈥�

Some of the events being planned as part of the centennial celebration include: 

• A celebration marking the successful close of the university鈥檚 Centennial Campaign, which has already garnered significant philanthropic support from thousands of donors 
• A curated history exhibit highlighting key moments and milestones in the university鈥檚 development
• A community-wide service project reflecting 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 commitment to service
• A storytelling initiative showcasing defining moments and voices from across the university鈥檚 history

Subcommittees composed of faculty, staff, alumni, and community members are leading efforts in areas such as community engagement, student experience, alumni engagement, storytelling, historical preservation, academic excellence and innovation, and campaign celebration.

The committee structure brings together faculty, staff, alumni, and community members to guide planning across key areas of the celebration.

Together, these efforts are designed to highlight the university鈥檚 history while engaging the campus and community in shaping what comes next.

Members of the Centennial Planning Committee include: 

• Sydney Ambrus
• Brian Berry
• Derek Boyce
• Ross Bradley
• Kara Brown
• Guy Choate
• Emily Cox
• Ginger Daril
• Becca Davis
• Brandy Dixon
• Alicia Dorn
• Aaron Duvall
• Bobbie Handcock
• Noah Henkell
• John Hill
• Leslie Hutchins
• Amy Johnson
• Tansel Karabacak
• Samantha Koros
• Michelle Malone
• Linda Martin
• Sheila McKinnis
• Meaghan Milliorn
• Emily Mills
• Wendy Mincer
• Michael Moore
• Nate Olson
• Angela Parker
• Xavier Parker
• Jess Porter
• Annsley Pugh
• Muriel Schrepfer
• Kaylee Smith
• Kristi Smith
• Klansee Tozer
• Sandra Vail
• Felisha Weaver
• Lloyd Webre

More details about centennial events and opportunities for involvement will be announced in the coming months.

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The gift from Leslye and Ray Shellam honors the legacy of Leslye’s late father, Arkansas business leader L. Dickson Flake, and her late mother, Linda Blaine Flake, and will name the facility the Shellam Flake Planetarium.

Shellam said the naming honors her parents, her father鈥檚 deep commitment to civic life in Arkansas, and her own belief in education as a bridge between the university and the community it serves.

Closed for nearly 20 years, the planetarium will undergo a full renovation, including major technology upgrades, improvements to the roof and flooring, and the installation of a state-of-the-art projection system that eliminates the traditional central projector, creating unobstructed views of the dome. The renovated space will feature modern, home theater-style seating for up to 89 visitors.

Shellam said she hopes the restored planetarium will serve as a point of connection between 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and the broader community, creating opportunities for people to learn more about one another through shared experiences. She also emphasized the importance of student involvement, envisioning the planetarium as a space where students gain hands-on, real-world experience while helping bring science, art, and storytelling to life for audiences beyond campus.

Once reopened, the planetarium will serve 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students, faculty, and staff, as well as K鈥�12 school groups and members of the general public. 

Shellam also envisions the planetarium as a multidisciplinary learning space that extends beyond astronomy to provide hands-on experiences for students across multiple majors. For example, the space will feature student artwork in adjacent outdoor areas, support student involvement in developing the planetarium鈥檚 visual identity, and offer business students opportunities to create and implement marketing plans.

鈥淭he planetarium has long been a special place on campus, and I wanted to help bring it back for today鈥檚 students and families,鈥� Shellam said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 meaningful to be able to restore a space that encourages curiosity and a love of science and learning.鈥�

The vision for the restored planetarium aligns closely with 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 mission and its emphasis on applied learning and community engagement.

鈥淭his investment allows us to reimagine the planetarium as an active learning environment that supports teaching and discovery across disciplines,鈥� said Ann Bain, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs. 鈥淚t will provide 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock with increased engagement with our community. It is exciting to bring life back to a space that means so much to Little Rock, the University, and future generations of planetarium visitors.鈥� 

The restoration also supports the university鈥檚 broader investments in science education, which include the campus observatory and other spaces along the Trojan Way. 

鈥淲e are incredibly grateful to Leslye Shellam for believing in 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and in the vision we share for the future of the planetarium,鈥� said Christian O鈥橬eal, vice chancellor for university advancement. 鈥淭his gift reflects a close partnership with Provost Bain and our academic leaders to reimagine the planetarium as a vibrant, interdisciplinary learning space. As we approach our centennial, the Shellam Flake Planetarium honors our past while opening new doors for student learning and community engagement.鈥�  

The planetarium is on target to open in Fall of 2026 and is a part of the university鈥檚 broader science-based investments which includes the campus observatory, the future 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Museum of Natural History, and outdoor educational features such as the Solar System Walk along Trojan Way. Additional details about programming and public access will be announced as renovations continue and the planetarium is reimagined to support both student experiences and community engagement. To learn more about 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Centennial Campaign and how supporters are making a lasting commitment to student experiences, visit .

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The University Career Services Internship Program connects students with experiential learning opportunities that complement their academic coursework and prepare them for professional success after graduation. While many employers offer paid internships, some high-impact opportunities, particularly within nonprofit, public service, and smaller organizations, are unpaid. This funding helps ensure students can participate in meaningful internships regardless of an organization鈥檚 ability to provide compensation.

鈥淭his support removes a real barrier for students,鈥� said Christian O鈥橬eal, vice chancellor for advancement at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淭he Donaghey Foundation helped pilot the University Career Services Internship Program, and we are deeply grateful for that early investment. The Charles M. and Joan R. Taylor Foundation is now stepping forward to sustain and strengthen this work, making it possible for more students to gain meaningful, paid experiential learning opportunities that prepare them for life after graduation.鈥�

The Taylor family has long been committed to education, workforce preparation, and civic leadership in Arkansas. Through this support, the Foundation is helping ensure students can participate in internships that build skills and professional experience without added financial strain, while employers gain access to talented, motivated students.

鈥淚nternships are often the bridge between the classroom and a student鈥檚 career,鈥� said Brittany Straw, director of Career Services at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淭his support allows us to ensure students can take full advantage of valuable learning experiences without financial barriers.鈥�

This gift supports the Centennial Campaign, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 $250 million capital campaign leading up to the University鈥檚 100-year anniversary in 2027. Learn more at ualr.edu/centennial.

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The new fund is named the Carol and James Hendren Enduring Opportunity Endowed Scholarship. It supports 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Enduring Opportunity initiative, a major fundraising effort launched in spring 2025. The initiative began with a $7.5 million gift from the Windgate Foundation to create both an endowment and immediate-use funds that support access to affordable, high-quality education for Arkansas students forever.

James Hendren said he hopes this gift will help ease financial barriers for students pursuing a college education and help strengthen the state鈥檚 workforce.

鈥淚 strongly believe in the advancement of economic development in Arkansas and the growth of our city here in Little Rock,鈥� Hendren said. 鈥淲e need more college graduates to improve the ecosystem we live in. We know many people struggle with tuition, so we thought this was a great program to help expand access.鈥�

The gift also helps propel the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Centennial Campaign, the largest fundraising effort in the university鈥檚 history, toward its goal. With this contribution, the university has raised more than $234 million 鈥� or nearly 94% of its $250 million goal 鈥� toward its 2027 centennial celebration.

鈥淲e need the university to do well to help grow and support the local economy,鈥� Hendren said. 鈥淭his centennial goal is key to improving the university, so it makes sense to support programs and scholarships that help it succeed.鈥�

To make a lasting commitment to student opportunity, please contact Stephanie Purifoy at 501-773-6955 or email spurifoy@ualr.edu.

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That confidence is at the heart of Trojan Champions, a giving initiative launched in 2023 that turns community support into unique opportunities for students to thrive academically, professionally, and personally. Donors pledge an annual gift to the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Annual Fund for three years or more, and because the funds are unrestricted, the university can quickly respond to student needs and provide high-impact experiences that otherwise might not be possible.

鈥淭rojan Champions is more than a giving program; it鈥檚 a movement that reflects the strength of our Trojan community,” said Kristi Smith, associate vice chancellor for alumni and development. “As an alumna, I know the value of the opportunities I had here, and it鈥檚 exciting to see how these gifts are opening even more doors for current and future students. Together, we鈥檙e building a culture of support that will carry 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock into its next century.鈥�

There are now more than 170 Trojan Champions helping to make opportunities possible across campus. Over the past year and a half, their support has funded projects ranging from esports to business competitions.

This fall, esports competitors received equipment stipends, branded gear, and league fees to help them take on teams nationwide in Rocket League, Smash Bros., and Valorant. Another project outfitted a group of real estate students with custom business attire for the Harold E. Eisenberg Foundation鈥檚 Annual Real Estate Challenge in Chicago, where they pitched a redevelopment plan for a 10-acre site in Bronzeville.

鈥淭hese kinds of gifts are exactly what make Trojan Champions so impactful,鈥� said Thomas Wallace, coordinator of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Web Design and Development and Information Technology programs. 鈥淭hey give students the resources and confidence to compete at the highest level, whether in esports, business competitions, or other arenas. That kind of support makes a real difference.鈥�

For donors, becoming a Trojan Champion is rooted in both pride and purpose.

鈥淎fter a 41-year career at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, I recognize the ongoing need to support students striving to achieve their goals,鈥� said Janis Brooke, a former faculty member. 鈥淓very contribution is targeted for this purpose.鈥�

Brooke鈥檚 perspective is echoed by alumni who see Trojan Champions as a way to give back to the institution that shaped their own success.

鈥淎s a Trojan Champion, I take pride in knowing my support helps fuel the mission of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock,鈥� said alumnus Mario Wallace. 鈥淚t expands opportunities for students to grow academically, professionally, and personally, while strengthening the programs and people who make that growth possible.鈥�

For alumna Debra Baker, the motivation is personal.

鈥淢y mom always said, 鈥榶our education is the key to your success,鈥欌�� Baker said. 鈥淲ith her words, I have become a lifelong learner.鈥�

Shaun Addison echoed the transformative power of education as the reason he joined.

鈥淏y becoming a Trojan Champion, I feel privileged to support the university鈥檚 mission to empower its students and prepare them for success in an ever-changing world,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hrough my contributions, I can help ensure that future generations have access to the same opportunities and resources that have shaped the lives of so many before them. Together, we can inspire and equip students to achieve their dreams and make meaningful contributions to society.鈥�

As Trojan Champions continue to grow, so does its impact. From helping students present themselves professionally on national stages to creating new opportunities for competition and collaboration, the initiative shows what鈥檚 possible when a community invests in education.

The generous contributions from Trojan Champions is set to make a lasting impact by empowering students to build their dreams and construct a brighter future for themselves and their communities. This program is a part of the Centennial Campaign, which has a goal to raise $250 million in celebration of the university鈥檚 100-year anniversary in 2027.

鈥淭his is just the beginning,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淭rojan Champions is helping us build a culture of opportunity. With continued support, we can take student success to the next level.鈥�

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