Beginning in Fall 2026, the university will raise the minimum stipend for master’s-level graduate assistants from $8,000 to $10,000 for a nine-month appointment. Doctoral-level graduate assistants will see their minimum stipend increase from $13,000 to $15,000.

Graduate assistantships allow students to pursue advanced degrees while gaining hands-on experience in research, teaching, and university operations. In addition to a stipend, assistantships may include tuition benefits that help offset the cost of graduate school.

“I am sensitive to the financial pressures that our graduate students face and the impact that rising costs have had on them,” said Dr. Brian Berry, vice provost of research and dean of the Graduate School. “I am committed to continuing this discussion and progressing toward competitive GA stipends.”

The increase continues a trend of growing university investment in graduate student support. Five years ago, the minimum stipend for master’s-level graduate assistants was approximately $6,000. Two years ago, it was raised to $8,000. This fall’s increase to $10,000 marks the latest step in the university’s efforts to address rising costs for graduate students.

Graduate assistants serve in a variety of roles across campus. Some assist faculty with research projects, while others support classroom instruction, work in administrative offices, or contribute to projects related to their field of study.

Beyond financial assistance, assistantships provide students with practical experience that complements their academic work and helps prepare them for careers in higher education, industry, government, nonprofit organizations, and other professional fields.

The increased stipends also help 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock remain competitive in attracting and retaining talented graduate students.

Students interested in graduate assistantship opportunities can learn more through the Graduate School and individual academic programs. Assistantships are available in a variety of disciplines across the university.

For more information about graduate assistantships and graduate programs, visit .

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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 double shotgun scramble featured 39 teams and brought together business leaders, alumni, faculty, students, and community supporters from across Central Arkansas for a day focused on investing in the next generation of business professionals.

During the morning wave, the First Flight championship team included Hayden Lassiter, Adam Burton, Tristan Talbert, and Woody Harrelson with a score of 55. William Pollock, Richard Blank, John Murphy, and Shea McCarty finished second in the First Flight with a score of 57.

In the morning wave鈥檚 Second Flight, Aaron Huntley, Cody Waits, Zach Brown, and Jeff Whitener earned first place with a score of 64, while Ken Estes, Bill Birch, Steve Hillis, and Richard Rogers placed second with a score of 65.

Special contest winners during the morning wave included John Moran for Closest to the Pin on Hole No. 2, Zach Brown for Closest to the Pin on Hole No. 13, and Toppie Hogan for Longest Drive on Hole No. 18.

During the afternoon wave, Ben Bailey, Beau Glover, Ben Cox, and Zack Sokora captured first place in the First Flight with a score of 54. Trey Schaap, Jamie Cobb, Joe Kleine, and Carson Roberts followed closely in second place with a score of 55.

In the afternoon wave鈥檚 Second Flight, Blake Edwards, Adam Hope, John Edwards, and Chance Tharp claimed first place with a score of 63. Rodney Peel, Randy Southerland, Joe Buffington, and Courtney Little finished second with a score of 65.

Afternoon special contest winners included Trey Schaap for Closest to the Pin on Hole No. 2, Ryan Crews for Closest to the Pin on Hole No. 13, and Austin Harmon for Longest Drive on Hole No. 18.

Proceeds from the tournament support a variety of student-centered initiatives within the School of Business, including emergency scholarships, participation in regional and national competitions, and the School鈥檚 Ambassador Program.

鈥淲e are grateful for the individuals and companies who sponsored the tournament or a team in support of our students in the School of Business,鈥� said Dr. Mark Funk, director of the School of Business at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淲e鈥檙e proud that the business community realizes and appreciates the importance of the work that takes place in our classrooms. Our students are their future employees and leaders, so we are thankful for this collaboration.鈥�

The event provided valuable networking opportunities for students involved in the School of Business Ambassador Program. Throughout the tournament, students connected with business leaders from across the region, building relationships that can lead to internships, mentorships, and future career opportunities.

Saracen served as the presenting sponsor for the event.

Additional sponsors included:

• Golf Ball Sponsor: Pettus Interiors
• Golf Cart Sponsors: Priority1 and Good Day Farm
• Contest Sponsors: Legacy Termite & Pest Control; Paul Rainwater/Rye 51; Ted Bailey, III Family; Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull Law Firm
• Practice Area Sponsors: Arvest; Ifrah Financial; TMB Capital Partners
• Bar Sponsor: Tito鈥檚
• Hole and Team Sponsors: Segra, AEDI, MK Distributors, DDK Forestry, USAble Life
• Beverage Cart Sponsors: Delta Solar, Apartment Hunters, First Horizon, Haybar Real Estate, Hosto Cardis Law

Additional support was provided through gifts in kind, including breakfast from Chick-fil-A on Markham and University; lunch from Taziki鈥檚/ JTJ Restaurants; and product donations from Pepsi, MK Distributors and Golden Eagle of Arkansas.

鈥淭his tournament is a wonderful example of our community investing directly in our students 鈥� not just through scholarships and program support, but through the relationships that lead to internships and careers,鈥� Dean Ginger Gummelt said. 鈥淲e are grateful to every sponsor who makes this possible.鈥�

The 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock School of Business hosts the annual tournament as part of its ongoing commitment to creating opportunities that prepare students for success in the workforce while strengthening connections with the business community.

Learn more about the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock School of Business.

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Located near Health Services in the Donaghey Student Center, the vending machine was launched in partnership with the Arkansas Attorney General鈥檚 Office as part of the statewide 鈥淥ne Pill Can Kill鈥� campaign, which raises awareness about the dangers of counterfeit pills and fentanyl-related overdoses. Through the partnership, students now have free access to Narcan and fentanyl testing kits in a central location on campus.

鈥淎rkansas has seen a sharp decline in opioid overdose deaths in the past several years, which is great news. But one death is too many, so our work with the One Pill Can Kill initiative isn鈥檛 done,鈥� said Attorney General Tim Griffin. 鈥淭his vending machine at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is a valuable tool in our fight against illicit opioids. The free Narcan available to students and others may well save a life, which is why I was proud to provide opioid settlement dollars to fund it.鈥�

In addition to harm reduction resources, the machine also includes a variety of personal care and wellness items available for purchase, including:

• First-aid supplies and headache medicine
• Pregnancy tests
• Toothpaste and toothbrushes
• Deodorant and other hygiene products

鈥淭he health and safety of our campus community remain our highest priorities,鈥� said Dr. Cody Decker, vice chancellor for student affairs. 鈥淏y providing these resources in a central and accessible location, we are helping ensure students have the tools they need to stay safe and supported.鈥�

University leaders said the goal is to make important health and safety resources easier for students to access without stigma or unnecessary barriers.

鈥淲e want students to know these resources are here for them without judgment,鈥� said Sharon Ann Downs, assistant vice chancellor for student affairs. 鈥淲hether someone needs a basic hygiene item or a fentanyl testing kit, this machine helps ensure support is available when they need it.鈥�

The wellness vending machine is available during all Donaghey Student Center building hours.

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The project, called Trojan Forge, will give students access to tools such as 3D printers, laser cutters, vinyl cutters, screen-printing equipment and woodworking tools. The space is designed to bring students from different majors together to experiment, build projects and collaborate.

Students in Library Vision Partners, a campus focus group created in 2023 to give students a voice in how the library evolves, have helped bring the idea to life.

The group hosted a March 11 town hall in the Ottenheimer Library to share plans for Trojan Forge and gather feedback from the campus community.

Will Fausel, an electrical and computer engineering major, Learning Commons IT support specialist and member of the Library Vision Partners group, said the concept for Trojan Forge began during his second semester at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, when the library asked students in the Vision Partners program to help design a makerspace for campus.

At the time, he said, students were still trying to figure out what that space might look like.

To test the idea, organizers hosted a prototype event in August 2025 and launched a to help shape the makerspace鈥檚 vision.

Brandon Sollars, director of the Learning Commons and adviser to the Library Vision Partners program, said the results demonstrated overwhelming student support for creating a makerspace on campus.

The survey showed 98 percent of respondents supported the idea, giving the group strong backing to present their proposal to university leadership.

That proposal led to $50,000 in funding for the project, by the chancellor鈥檚 office for campus improvement initiatives.

Survey responses also helped identify the tools and resources students want in the space. Many requested equipment such as 3D printers, laser cutters, woodworking hand tools, screen-printing equipment and a soundproof studio for recording music and podcasts.

Valerisse Bell-Ovwiomoriemu, an adviser on the Library Vision Partners committee, said organizers will review the most requested items and determine what the initial budget can support.

The team plans to compare student requests with available funding and narrow the list to equipment that can be included in the first phase of the project. Bell-Ovwiomoriemu said the long-term goal is to build a multidisciplinary space that can expand as additional resources become available.

Organizers also hope faculty will use the space for demonstrations, presentations and expert-led workshops that introduce students to tools and creative practices outside their primary fields of study.

Trojan Forge will also incorporate the library鈥檚 existing 3D printing services, allowing students to submit print jobs online and receive printed objects through the library.

The makerspace will be located on the first floor of the Ottenheimer Library, where students will be able to experiment with tools, develop projects and explore creative ideas across disciplines.

Organizers say Trojan Forge reflects several years of student research, feedback and advocacy through the Library Vision Partners program.

Construction is expected to begin in April, with organizers aiming to open the space in August in time for the start of the fall semester.

Students and faculty can continue sharing ideas through the Trojan Forge interest survey, which remains open indefinitely. More information about the project is available on the Ottenheimer Library website.

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The program, initially supported by federal CARES Act funding, is now sustained through a collaborative effort between the Office of the Provost, the Academic Affairs Retention Office, IT Services, and the Ottenheimer Library. The partnership reflects the university鈥檚 ongoing commitment to expanding access to essential technology.

Any student enrolled at the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock main campus is eligible to apply for a laptop. The Academic Affairs Retention Office assesses applicants based on financial need and grade level. Undergraduate students are given priority, though graduate students are also supported through the program.

A total of 278 laptops are in circulation. Students checked out 132 of them for the first time this semester, while renewing 146. Brandon Sollars, Learning Commons coordinator at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, said the program has an inventory of 348 laptops, though the number fluctuates as devices are returned and processed.

鈥淭he level of demand for technology has always existed at a steady level, and most students keep their laptops for multiple semesters,鈥� Sollars said. 鈥淭his program is integrated into the existing loan system the library uses, so we can scale as needed or as we acquire more laptops.鈥�

The program plays a key role in student retention and academic success by reducing a significant financial burden.

鈥淚t鈥檚 one more thing off a student鈥檚 checklist,鈥� Sollars said. 鈥淎 new laptop can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000, depending on the student鈥檚 program needs. By providing students with a laptop, we can carry that cost, provide them with reliable technology, and give them access to library and IT support.鈥�

According to previous program surveys, 93% of students who responded said having a loaned laptop was 鈥渧ery important鈥� to meeting their academic needs, while the remaining 7% indicated it was 鈥渋mportant.鈥�

鈥淭he majority of our feedback highlights that the process for obtaining a laptop was easy, accessible, and simple,鈥� Sollars said. 鈥淢any students reported that having the laptop was very helpful for completing assignments, attending online classes, and supporting their overall academic success.鈥�

Senior student Cornell Cornelius Jr. said the program has been critical to maintaining his academic progress.

鈥淭he CARES laptop provides a level of flexibility that is vital for me, especially when considering my disability and the recovery process from my previous surgeries. Having this technology available allows me to stay on track regardless of my physical constraint,鈥� he said.

鈥淚n all honesty, I don’t believe my GPA would be where it is today without the resources provided by this program. It is an incredibly important initiative, and I truly hope it continues to support students like me,鈥� Cornelius added.

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As a single mother balancing work, school, and parenthood, Robinson is pursuing a marketing degree with concentrations in professional sales and digital marketing at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, thanks in part to the university鈥檚 Corporate Partnerships Program.

鈥淚 remember thinking that I could go through life without a college degree, but I want my son to have a better future,鈥� Robinson said. 鈥淕oing back to school is about having a better life and leaving a better legacy for my son. I want to reach my full potential.鈥�

Through her job at , Robinson is one of more than 400 students receiving a 10-percent scholarship on tuition, a $25-per-credit-hour book scholarship, and a waived application fee through participation in the Corporate Partners Program. With almost 50,000 eligible employees in more than 100 companies across Arkansas, the Corporate Partnerships Program is making higher education more accessible for working professionals like Robinson.

Robinson鈥檚 college journey hasn鈥檛 been a straight path. She first enrolled in college in 2012 while still in high school, taking concurrent credit and AP courses. She later attended the University of Arkansas but faced overwhelming challenges. In 2015, a devastating car accident left her with serious, long-term injuries, making it difficult to keep up with coursework, and she eventually withdrew from school.

鈥淲hen I left Fayetteville, I felt like no one cared about me,鈥� Robinson said. 鈥淚 was just another number. But when I came to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, everything changed. They didn鈥檛 label me as disabled. They treated me like a student who needed support, and that made all the difference.鈥�

Robinson works as a front-of-house employee at Yellow Rocket Concepts, where she wears many hats. Yellow Rocket Concepts owns popular dining options like Lost Forty Brewing, Big Orange, Local Lime, Camp Taco, and ZAZA. She serves tables, trains new staff, models for company marketing, and is in the process of becoming a tour guide. A six-foot billboard featuring her smiling face even greets customers at one of the company鈥檚 locations.

She enjoys the job and the people she meets, especially those passionate about the craft of brewing.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know how much science goes into making beer,鈥� Robinson said. 鈥淭he people I work with are incredibly knowledgeable, and they鈥檝e taught me to respect the industry.鈥�

Yellow Rocket Concepts鈥� support extends beyond the workplace.

鈥淭hey work with my schedule, encourage me to study when I have downtime, and even talk to me about future opportunities within the company once I graduate,鈥� Robinson said. 鈥淭hey don鈥檛 expect me to serve tables forever. They are cheering me on, and they want me to succeed.鈥�

Despite the challenges of balancing work, school, and motherhood, Robinson is determined to graduate in Spring 2026.

鈥淏eing a single parent makes it harder,鈥� she admitted. 鈥淭here are days when I feel overwhelmed. But my son motivates me. I want to build a better life for him.鈥�

Robinson has big plans for her future. With a background in both marketing and insurance, she dreams of opening her own business that combines both fields鈥攁n advertising agency with an insurance component.

鈥淚 want to own my own business,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 have my life and health insurance license, and I want to merge that with my passion for marketing. It鈥檚 about creating opportunities, not just for myself, but for my son and others who come after me.鈥�

She believes that earning her degree will open doors that would otherwise remain closed.

鈥淐ollege is about more than just education. It鈥檚 about discipline, networking, and setting yourself up for a better future,鈥� she said. 鈥溙切腣log传媒 Little Rock has put me in a place where I can make connections and grow in ways I never imagined.鈥�

Overcoming Obstacles and Looking Ahead

Robinson鈥檚 path hasn鈥檛 been easy. She has faced health challenges, financial struggles, and the pressures of single parenthood, but she remains committed to her pursuit of success.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not for the weak,鈥� she said. 鈥淭here are sacrifices, and I do regret not getting back on track sooner. But I know that education gives me a chance at a better future. My son was born on Valentine鈥檚 Day, and he was my lifeline when I was struggling. Now, everything I do is for him.鈥�

She also values the support system she has found through the Corporate Partnerships Program and the university.

鈥溙切腣log传媒 Little Rock has helped me with childcare, connected me with financial resources, and made sure I didn鈥檛 fall through the cracks,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e given me the chance to keep going.鈥�

As she continues her journey, Robinson hopes her story will inspire others facing similar obstacles.

鈥淚f you鈥檙e struggling, don鈥檛 give up,鈥� she said. 鈥淔ind the support you need and keep pushing forward. Education changes lives. I know because it鈥檚 changing mine.鈥�

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Wynne-Hudson, an ASL/English interpretation major from Joplin, Missouri and member of the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program, spent five weeks in Montevideo, Uruguay, studying Latin American history and culture, the social dimensions of health in Latin America, and experiencing the country鈥檚 vibrant culture firsthand. He participated in the summer program at Universidad ORT Uruguay, the country鈥檚 largest private research university, in May and June.

鈥淲hen I started looking into study abroad programs, I didn鈥檛 have a specific destination in mind,鈥� Wynne-Hudson said. 鈥淏ecause my major is in American Sign Language, my options were more limited, but I wanted something that was culturally relevant and interesting. The more I learned about Uruguay 鈥� from its renewable energy efforts to its high literacy rate and great quality of life 鈥� the more I wanted to experience it for myself.鈥�

The university鈥檚 study abroad program combined academic coursework with rich cultural immersion. Wynne-Hudson and his classmates toured Montevideo鈥檚 Ciudad Vieja 鈥淥ld City,鈥� a historic area filled with art, architecture, and street vendors. They explored Sierra de Minas, where Wynne-Hudson faced his fears on a ziplining adventure and learned about Uruguay鈥檚 elaborate tea rituals by preparing yerba mate. Other excursions included visits to the Parliament building, the zoo, and several local food tastings.

鈥淢ontevideo is such a vibrant city,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou can walk around and find new events, new people, and new things to do every day. I especially loved the street markets, called ferias. I鈥檓 really into antiques, and I ended up finding a lot of antiques and vinyl records.鈥�

Living in an apartment during his stay gave Wynne-Hudson a firsthand look at daily life in Uruguay as well as an opportunity to navigate language barriers.

鈥淟iving in a place where Spanish isn鈥檛 my first language was sometimes daunting, but it was also incredibly rewarding,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t pushed me to improve my communication skills and become more adaptable, which is really important in my future career.鈥�

Wynne-Hudson said one of the most valuable parts of the experience was learning how to overcome communication challenges 鈥� a skill that鈥檚 essential for interpreters.

鈥淭his trip really helped me get more familiar with how to handle communication barriers,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 such an important part of interpreting, and it鈥檚 something I couldn鈥檛 have learned as effectively in a classroom.鈥�

The experience also took Wynne-Hudson beyond Uruguay鈥檚 borders. He visited Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he toured museums and connected with Argentinian Sign Language interpreters.

鈥淚t was fascinating to see the similarities and differences in sign language use,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 recognized a lot of the signs, and talking with them gave me new insights into how sign language is used in other countries.鈥�

For Wynne-Hudson, the trip was a transformative journey that expanded his worldview and prepared him for his future as an interpreter.

鈥淏eing immersed in another culture and navigating communication differences gave me tools that will help me throughout my career,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t would be amazing to go back someday with the benefit of hindsight and everything I learned on this trip.鈥�

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Their efforts culminated this summer when Kappa Sigma received two national awards from the fraternity鈥檚 international headquarters: the Academic Excellence Award and the Silver Bowl Award, recognizing chapters that maintain a GPA higher than the all-men鈥檚 campus average for three consecutive years.

A Year of Record Growth

Under the leadership of President Ryan Gillenwater, a junior finance and real estate major from Little Rock, the chapter has experienced one of its most successful years in recent memory.

鈥淲e鈥檝e all worked really hard these past two years, especially on academics,鈥� Gillenwater said. 鈥淲e make sure every member stays on top of their classes. If someone falls behind, we create an action plan that includes study hours, tutoring, or pairing them with a study partner. We want to show that academics are just as important as leadership and service.鈥�

The results speak for themselves. Kappa Sigma鈥檚 chapter GPA rose from 2.9 to 3.2, now standing 20 percent higher than the all-men鈥檚 campus average. Beyond the classroom, the fraternity more than doubled its community service from 883 hours to over 2,000 in a single year. Members participated in cleanup projects along Coleman Creek, volunteered at community festivals, and assisted with events like the Paul Dunn Classic golf tournament, which raises funds for ALS research.

The chapter also raised nearly $17,000 for charitable causes during the 2024-25 academic year, which is a giant leap from just a few hundred dollars raised the previous year. Much of this success comes from the fraternity鈥檚 commitment to the Kappa Sigma Military Heroes Campaign, a nationwide initiative supporting veterans and first responders.

鈥淥ne of the organizations we support is Sons of the Flag, which helps revolutionize burn care for veterans and first responders,鈥� Gillenwater explained. 鈥淲e take pride in making sure the money we raise goes directly toward helping people who have served.鈥�

The chapter鈥檚 spirit of service also thrives on collaboration. Members have partnered with groups like Keep Arkansas Beautiful, the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Sustainability Club, and Delta Chi Fraternity to organize monthly volunteer projects.

鈥淲e just try to be better every year,鈥� Gillenwater said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about branching out, building partnerships, and making a positive impact both on campus and in the community.鈥�

Brotherhood that Builds Leaders

For Jeremy Laxton, the chapter鈥檚 advisor and a 2011 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock graduate who first joined Kappa Sigma in 2004, watching the fraternity鈥檚 growth has been deeply rewarding.

鈥淚 am so proud of the hard work our undergraduates have accomplished,鈥� Laxton said. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e set high goals for themselves and are achieving them. Out of all eight Kappa Sigma chapters in Arkansas, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 is currently outperforming them overall.鈥�

Laxton, who served twice as chapter president and later as Interfraternity Council president, said the fraternity helped him develop leadership and organizational skills that continue to benefit him professionally. As the university鈥檚 undergraduate recruitment manager in the Office of Admissions, he now helps guide a new generation of Trojans; many of whom are discovering the same opportunities for personal growth that Kappa Sigma offers.

鈥淭he leadership experiences I gained through Kappa Sigma shaped who I am today,鈥� Laxton said. 鈥淚 see those same qualities in our current members. They鈥檝e brought new energy, accountability, and pride to the chapter.鈥�

Building for the Future

Today, Kappa Sigma boasts 21 active members and nearly 20 pledges in training. The fraternity鈥檚 momentum continues to build as it sets its sights on earning the Founder鈥檚 Award for Chapter Excellence, the highest honor a Kappa Sigma chapter can receive.

鈥淲e were just two points away from earning it last year,鈥� Gillenwater said. 鈥淚鈥檓 confident we鈥檒l get it this time. We tell ourselves that we鈥檙e always moving the goalpost. We鈥檙e always striving to be better than we were yesterday.鈥�

Beyond the accolades, the fraternity鈥檚 greatest accomplishment may be the lasting impact it has on its members.

鈥淜appa Sigma has taught me what it means to make an impact鈥攐n campus, in the community, and in life,鈥� Gillenwater said. 鈥淭he brotherhood here is phenomenal. You gain a support system, lifelong friends, and connections that last well beyond college.鈥�

For a small fraternity with big goals, Kappa Sigma鈥檚 story is a great example of what happens when dedication meets purpose.

鈥淲e may be small, but we鈥檙e proving every day that determination, leadership, and unity can make a huge difference,鈥� Laxton said.

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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.

The post 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Receives $25,000 Gift from James and Carol Hendren to Support Enduring Opportunity Scholarship appeared first on News.