UA Little Rock launches Enduring Opportunity Scholarship Program with $7.5 million gift from Windgate Foundation
May 19-25, 2025
By Angelita faller
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has launched a transformational new scholarship program with the support of a $7.5 million gift from the Windgate Foundation to advance its mission of providing access to an affordable, high-quality college education for all Arkansans.
UA Little Rock announced the creation of the Enduring Opportunity Scholarship Fund on May 2 during a special event at Ottenheimer Library. The Windgate Foundation’s gift includes $5 million to establish a permanent endowed scholarship fund, creating a sustainable source of financial support for future students, and $2.5 million in immediate-use funds to support affordability initiatives over the next several years while the endowment grows.
“The Windgate Foundation is pleased to support the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in its ongoing efforts to expand educational opportunities for students,” said Pat Forgy, executive director of the Windgate Foundation. “While I regret that I cannot be with you in person today, I want to express our deep appreciation for UA Little Rock’s steadfast commitment to making higher education more accessible for students across Arkansas.”
The Enduring Opportunity Scholarship Program reinforces UA Little Rock’s longstanding commitment to affordability and access in higher education. It builds on earlier initiatives such as the Half-Off Scholarship and Trojan Guarantee, made possible by a $25 million anonymous gift in 2020.
To date, these scholarships have helped more than 4,100 UA Little Rock students achieve their dream of earning an affordable college education in Arkansas. Of those scholarship recipients, 58 percent are first-generation students, 43 percent are working students, and 6 percent are veterans.
“For the last five years we’ve made affordability a top priority for our students. We knew that to move the needle on educational attainment, we had to step up our game in the area of need-based student aid,” UA Little Rock Chancellor Christina Drale said. “We were fortunate to receive a substantial anonymous gift in 2020 that allowed us to take bold steps in reimagining how we structure our scholarships and to introduce new initiatives. In order to sustain this momentum, our goal has been to create a structure that will help ensure that we can offer these opportunities in perpetuity. This generous gift from the Windgate Foundation does that and represents a powerful investment in the future of Arkansas. We are deeply grateful for their partnership in building a legacy of opportunity and success for our students.”
The Windgate Foundation’s support not only ensures long-term sustainability for these student success initiatives, but it also propels the university forward in a historic way. This generous contribution also marks a major milestone in UA Little Rock’s Centennial Campaign, the largest fundraising effort in university history. With this gift, UA Little Rock has now raised $225.5 million toward its $250 million campaign goal ahead of the university’s 100-year anniversary in 2027.
“At Windgate, we believe that when students are empowered to pursue their education free from financial barriers, they are better positioned to thrive and reach their full potential,” Forgy said. “We are proud to support Chancellor Drale and the entire UA Little Rock community for their thoughtful leadership and unwavering dedication to student success.
Forgy emphasized the transformative potential of investing in students.
“It is our sincere hope that this gift will help open new doors, create meaningful opportunities, and ensure that more students can access the quality education they deserve—today and for generations to come,” she said.
To further strengthen the impact of the Enduring Opportunity Scholarship Fund, the Windgate Foundation has issued a $1.5 million challenge to the UA Little Rock community to grow the endowed scholarship. UA Little Rock aims to meet this goal quickly and build on it to ensure long-term impact and sustainability.
Demonstrating her commitment, Chancellor Drale announced a personal gift of $25,000 as the first contribution to the Enduring Opportunity Scholarship Challenge.
“I am personally committed to this important effort and honored to take the first step,” Drale said. “I want to invite all of our supporters to dream big with me and help us grow this endowment many times over. Together, we can ensure that affordable education is forever.”
By breaking down financial barriers, UA Little Rock has reversed an enrollment decline and achieved its strongest enrollment growth in over a decade. As an anchor institution, the university is not only expanding access to higher education, but also driving long-term economic mobility and community success. The Enduring Opportunity Scholarship Fund builds on that momentum, ensuring more Arkansans can choose a high-quality, affordable education that transforms lives for generations to come.
“As a first-generation college student from Arkansas, I know how powerful it is when someone believes in us,” Student Government Association President An Le, a business major, said. “This generous gift from the Windgate Foundation and the matching challenge will allow vital scholarship programs to continue opening doors for students like me, not just today, but for years to come.”
To make a lasting commitment to student opportunity, you can learn more about giving opportunities by visiting the Enduring Opportunity Scholarship Fund website.
Photo Captions:
1. UA Little Rock Chancellor Christina Drale details how a $7.5 million gift from the Windgate Foundation will help continue affordable scholarship programs at UA Little Rock.
2. UA Little Rock Board of Visitors members Dr. Andrew Kumpuris, left, and Danyelle Walker, right, congratulate Chancellor Christina Drale, center, after learning that a gift from the Windgate Foundation will create a new affordable scholarship program for UA Little Rock students.
Photo Credits:
1. Photo by Benjamin Krain.
2. Photo by Benjamin Krain.
