The stage, part of the recently revitalized outdoor space on campus, lies at the center of campus just outside Ottenheimer Library. It serves as a focal point for campus events, performances, and gatherings.

The donation honors the Donaghey Foundation for its long-standing support of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and its commitment to enriching the university鈥檚 academic and campus life. The Donaghey Foundation donated more than $8 million for the completion of Trojan Way.

Christian O鈥橬eal, vice chancellor for university advancement, expressed his gratitude for the donor鈥檚 generosity and the recognition of the Donaghey Foundation’s impact at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

鈥淲e are incredibly thankful for this generous gift and the donor鈥檚 desire to honor the Donaghey Foundation Board members,鈥� O鈥橬eal said. 鈥淭his contribution will enhance the campus experience for our students, faculty, and staff while celebrating the legacy of a foundation that has consistently invested in the growth and success of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.鈥�

The Donaghey Stage is a key component of Trojan Way, which was recently transformed into a modern, engaging outdoor learning and gathering space. Trojan Way includes walkways with landscaping and lighting, multiple gardens and outdoor learning environments, and benches with built-in charging stations. 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock planted more than 250 trees along the more than 200,000 square-foot-project.

The newly named stage is a testament to the impact of philanthropic efforts in enhancing campus life and enriching the student experience at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. The gift is a part of the Centennial Campaign, which is raising funds for academic scholarships, student success initiatives, the living and learning environment, and program excellence ahead of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 100-year anniversary in 2027. Visit /centennial/ for more information.

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鈥檚 donation builds on the company鈥檚 rich history of investing in the university鈥檚 growth and community engagement initiatives. In recognition of the gift, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock will name the campus garden the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Garden.

鈥淎rkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield is proud to sponsor organizations that strive to improve the health and lives of Arkansans,鈥� said Rebecca Pittillo, president of the Blue & You Foundation. 鈥淐ommunity plays a crucial role in shaping our health by providing a sense of belonging. We want to encourage pursuing higher education in our state by supporting 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock’s living and learning environment. Investing in our universities is investing in our state.鈥�

The Trojan Way Project includes a series of campus improvement and renovation projects, funded by a grant from the Donaghey Foundation, that have significantly transformed the face of the university. Trojan Way features a new north-south promenade, complete with improved walkways, seating areas, and vibrant meeting spaces.

鈥淥ur hope is that the Trojan Way Garden will be a place where students can come together to study, eat, enjoy nature, and talk to one another,鈥� Pittillo said. 鈥淭hese walkways, seating areas, and gathering spaces provide an opportunity for an inclusive and supportive community at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.鈥�

Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield has a longstanding tradition of supporting 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, with the company set to fund technology upgrades in a computer science classroom later this year. The partnership between the two institutions is deeply rooted, as over 350 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock alumni are employed at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and more than 1,150 of its employees have attended classes at the university.

Several Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield executives continue to strengthen this relationship by serving on 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock boards. Grady McCorkle, director of strategic workforce planning and people analytics, and Alfreda Summons, data analyst lead, serve on the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Alumni Board of Directors. Alicia Berkemeyer, executive vice president and chief health management officer, has previously served on the School of Business Advisory Board, while George Burks, vice president of group markets, has served on the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Foundation Fund Board.

“We are incredibly grateful to Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield for their generous support in helping bring the campus garden on Trojan Way to life,鈥� said Kristi Smith, associate vice chancellor for alumni and development at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淭his donation not only enhances the beauty of our campus but also provides a unique space that will benefit our students and the entire community for years to come. Their continued commitment to our university is truly inspiring.”

This gift is a part of the Centennial Campaign, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 capital campaign to raise $250,000 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

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The significant addition to campus, which was funded by an $8.5 million grant from the George W. Donaghey Foundation, features a beautiful new north-south promenade running from University Drive to 28th Street.

It represents 鈥渙ur commitment to enhancing the student experience, fostering campus engagement, and embracing the future of our university,鈥� according to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Chancellor Christina S. Drale.

Trojan Way also features a newly reimagined plaza space outside Ottenheimer Library, transformed into an outdoor campus learning environment with expanded seating and gathering areas.

鈥淚t would be hard to overstate the impact of this opportunity to create a unifying experience on this campus,鈥� Dr. Drale said. 鈥淭hrough the generosity and vision of the Donaghey Foundation as well as others who have stepped up to contribute to this effort, we have been able to turn a walkway into a destination. I want to thank Shawn Luther with DCI for his work in creating a beautiful destination design that will take us into our next 100 years.鈥�

The university celebrated the Trojan Way dedication Oct. 8 by showing pictures of how the previous promenade used to look with a big reveal of the transformed walkway. The former pathway was made from many different materials that evolved over the years without a comprehensive plan in mind.

鈥淥ver the last three years, I鈥檝e been lucky enough to see the transformation to where we are then to where we are now,鈥� said Shawn Luther of DCI. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not that often as a landscape architect that we get to work on projects that are this big and transformative not only in the immediate sense, but this is the type of project that will provide a framework for the development of this campus for decades into the future.鈥�

Representatives of WER Architects, the project architect, and Nabholz Construction, the project鈥檚 contractor, joined the celebration. Special guests who joined the dedication include U.S. Rep. French Hill, Dr. Donald Bobbitt, president of the University of Arkansas System, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Chancellor Emeritus Joel Anderson, and members of the George W. Donaghey Foundation Board of Directors, University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Board of Visitors, and the Centennial Campaign Committee.

Student Government Association President An Le, who studied abroad last semester, said she was shocked when she returned to campus and saw how different everything looked with the fences taken down and the project completed.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really fun to walk to class and see everyone gathering here and hanging out,鈥� Le said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so nice to have a place to meet, to take a quick study break, or to connect with classmates after getting our Starbucks. The unity on campus is so much better, and I am so excited for future students to have this for their entire campus career here at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.鈥�

The Trojan Way project is a part of the Centennial Campaign, which aims to improve the university’s living and learning environment, scholarships, and program excellence. The Centennial Campaign has a goal of raising $250 million by 2027.

Several donors have made gifts to enhance spaces along Trojan Way, including the Riggs Benevolent Fund who sponsored the North Terminus in memory of John A. Riggs Jr., an anonymous donor who funded the Donaghey Stage in honor of the George W. Donaghey Foundation Board of Trustees, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield who sponsored a garden near the Fine Arts Building, and H.A. Ted Bailey III who funded the gardens that flank the Donaghey Stage.

Trojan Way includes walkways with landscaping and lighting, multiple gardens and outdoor learning environments, the new Donaghey Stage for events, and benches with built-in charging stations. 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock planted more than 250 trees along the more than 200,000 square-foot-project.

鈥淚t adds a new dimension to the community,鈥� said Michelle Malone, a librarian communications specialist. 鈥淚t was so exciting for the fences to come down and see the space so transformed. It has brought in new energy to see people connecting and interacting right outside the library.鈥�

Maison Wright, a senior nursing major, thinks that Trojan Way makes campus look and feel more open.

鈥淚鈥檝e seen a lot more people out and about since it was finished,鈥� Wright said. 鈥淚t feels homey and refreshing.鈥�

The idea for the Trojan Way Project emerged four years ago when Dr. Drale was touring campus with the facilities director and noted that the Ottenheimer Library Plaza needed some TLC.

鈥淚 noted that this spot should be the heart of the campus with the student center on one side and the library on the other,鈥� Dr. Drale said. 鈥淭he Donaghey Foundation had never done anything like this before, but I took a chance on convincing them of the transformational impact a project like this could have.鈥�

The Donaghey Foundation liked the idea so much that they asked Dr. Drale to expand the project, resulting in the celebration of 鈥渨hat Greg Flesher would call a big hairy audacious goal.鈥�

Flesher, president of the Donaghey Foundation Board of Trustees, noted that Gov. Donaghey is often remembered as the education governor for starting multiple colleges in Arkansas as well as his gift to support 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

鈥淗e thought it was very important in his vision for this university to help the city grow, and he wanted all the funds to be used to benefit the experience the students had while on campus,鈥� Flesher said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 not a great city in the United States that doesn鈥檛 have a great university. I think it鈥檚 very important that we the citizens of Little Rock support this university. There is so much going on here. There鈥檚 a lot that can be done. I would ask everyone here to think about what we can do to support the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and take it into the future.鈥�

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Set for 4 p.m. Oct. 8, the ceremony will highlight the Trojan Way Project, a series of campus improvement and renovation projects funded by a generous grant from the Donaghey Foundation and other donors. These include a new north to south promenade across campus and the newly revitalized Ottenheimer Library Plaza, and spaces which have significantly enhanced the university landscape by providing vibrant new places for the campus community to gather, study, and connect.

鈥淭he Library Plaza portion of the project revitalizes the heart of campus with an outdoor bistro-style landscape with trees, plantings, ample seating, and an outdoor stage,鈥� 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Chancellor Christina S. Drale said. 鈥淭he Trojan Way is an engaging new environment that is welcoming and attractive, and supports a strong sense of campus community. With the new Trojan Way, we are recreating the Trojan spirit.鈥�

The ceremony will begin at the North Terminus of Trojan Way, given in memory of John A. Riggs Jr. by the Riggs Benevolent Fund. The ceremony will then move toward the stage in front of Ottenheimer Library, given in honor of the George W. Donaghey Foundation Board of Trustees by an anonymous donor. Guests will be entertained with musical performances by the Trojan Pep Band and the Rodney Block Collective.

Chancellor Drale, Donaghey Foundation President Greg Flesher, Alumni Board of Directors President Rhonda Aaron, and Student Government Association President An Le will share the Donaghey Foundation鈥檚 vision of the Trojan Way Project, recognize those involved with the project, and talk about what it means for students and the campus community.

The ceremony will honor the efforts that have transformed the campus, creating vibrant new spaces that foster connectivity, accessibility, and a more welcoming environment for students, faculty, and visitors. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the beautifully redesigned areas and appreciate the university’s commitment to continuous improvement. Refreshments will be served.

鈥淚鈥檓 thrilled to invite you to the Trojan Way Dedication Ceremony,鈥� Le said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e put in a lot of hard work, and I can鈥檛 wait for you to see the incredible changes on campus. The new outdoor seating and walkway have quickly become some of my favorite spots. I look forward to sharing them with you and invite you to take a stroll along campus to see the changes for yourself鈥�

The Trojan Way Project is a part of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Centennial Campaign efforts to improve the university鈥檚 living and learning environment, ensuring that students learn in an environment that meets their needs and has the latest innovation and technology. Find out more by visiting ualr.edu/centennial.

鈥淥ne of the ways that we invest in the wellbeing of our students is to improve the quality of our living and learning environment,鈥� Chancellor Drale said. 鈥淲e’ve made these improvements in a variety of ways across campus, but the Trojan Way project was an opportunity to transform the campus experience on a large scale and in a way that would impact every student.鈥�

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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�

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This transformative contribution aims to enhance campus connectivity and provide a welcoming gateway for students, faculty, and visitors. In recognition of the gift, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock will name the north terminus of Trojan Way, which begins on 28th St., in honor of John A. Riggs, Jr.

鈥淭he Riggs Benevolent Fund has been involved with 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock for as long as I can remember,鈥� said Keith Riggs, a trustee of the Riggs Benevolent Fund. 鈥淭his project is honoring my grandfather, John A. Riggs Jr., who served as a member of the Board of Trustees for Little Rock University and on the Board of Visitors for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He was a big believer in the university, and the family is a big believer in the university. This is one of many projects we鈥檝e been involved with over the years.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.

鈥淲e are deeply grateful to the Riggs Benevolent Fund for their generous $100,000 donation to support Trojan Way,鈥� said Kristi Smith, associate vice chancellor for alumni and development. 鈥淎s we will celebrate the university鈥檚 historic centennial anniversary in just a few years, it鈥檚 fitting that we name the north terminus of Trojan Way in honor of one of the university鈥檚 earlier supporters. This wonderful contribution will play a crucial role in advancing our mission and enhancing the campus experience for our students.鈥�

Little Rock-based , which was founded by Keith鈥檚 great-grandfather in 1927, has dealt in the heavy equipment used in projects that transformed and advanced the state鈥檚 construction and infrastructure for five generations. The family鈥檚 philanthropic fund, the Riggs Benevolent Fund, is a strong supporter of community organizations, healthcare, and education in Arkansas. Each new generation of the family is taught the importance of community engagement.

鈥淲hen I started at Riggs Cat back in 1984, I was taught to give back to the community by my father, Jack Riggs, and my uncle, Bob Cress,鈥� Keith Riggs said. 鈥淕iving back to the community is a foundation of both the Riggs and Cress families. The community needs to have a good educational system to grow and improve, which in turn improves the way of life for Arkansans.鈥�

John A. Riggs, Jr., the chairman emeritus of J.A. Riggs Tractor Co., served with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during World War II as well as Arkansas鈥檚 representative on President Dwight Eisenhower鈥檚 Interstate Commerce Commission. He was instrumental in successfully turning the Arkansas River into a navigable system, serving in a number of key roles over the years. He was the director of the Interstate Committee on Arkansas River Development, president of the Pulaski County Flood Control Association, chairman of the Port and Harbor Committee of the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, and president of the Arkansas Basin Association. In 1961, he testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Works as part of the Tri-State Committee for Development of the Arkansas River Basin.

The late Riggs was highly involved in the community and served in many leadership roles. These include being president of the Downtown Kiwanis Club, president of the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Little Rock Port Authority, trustee of the Little Rock Boys and Girls Club, director of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce, and trustee of the First United Methodist Church of Little Rock, among many others.

This gift is a part of the Centennial Campaign, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 capital campaign to raise $250,000 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 .

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