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Today’s edition · Sat., Nov. 7

UA Little Rock raises record $266.5 million; Baldwin & Shell goes employee-owned

Plus, Baldwin & Shell is now 100% employee-owned and Conway shut out Bryant 17-0.

The 5AM Little Rock team2 stories18 sources6 min read

EducationTop story

UA Little Rock raises a record $266.5 million, topping its $250 million goal

UA Little Rock's Centennial Campaign beat its goal

$266.5 million
raised in the seven-year campaign
$250 million
was the campaign's goal
22,762
donors gave to the campaign
192%
growth in the university's endowment

If you follow UA Little Rock, here's the number to repeat: the university raised a record $266.5 million in its seven-year , a final total of $266,532,569. It announced the total Thursday night at a celebration for donors, alumni and community partners in the Fine Arts Center.

Chancellor Christina Drale said: “Seven years ago, a $250 million campaign for UA Little Rock might have seemed out of reach.” Private gifts have already launched the Half-Off Scholarship for incoming freshmen and the , which covers remaining tuition for qualifying students who get both a Pell Grant and the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship.

  • Gifts: 197,887 in all
  • New endowments: 211
  • Classrooms and labs renovated: 22
  • : soft opening scheduled for December

The most visible change is Trojan Way, the north-to-south promenade from 28th Street to University Drive. Here's how the giving broke down by campus area.

The university itself drew 42% of campaign giving

Source: Arkansas Money & Politics

View as table
Value
UA Little Rock42%
Humanities, Arts, Soc. Sci., Educ.21.5%
Athletics14.5%
Donaghey STEM college7.2%
Business, Health and Human Services5.9%
Little Rock Public Radio5.8%
Bowen School of Law2.9%

Asked

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Will you visit the Shellam Flake Planetarium once it opens?

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Business

Little Rock builder Baldwin & Shell becomes 100% employee-owned

If you know Baldwin & Shell Construction Co., here's the news: it announced Thursday that it's now 100% employee-owned through an employee stock ownership plan. Ownership moves from 39 shareholders to eligible employees.

100%of Baldwin & Shell is now employee-owned

The Little Rock contractor went from 39 shareholders to ownership by eligible employees.

ESOPs are retirement plans that hold shares in trust for eligible employees. Unlike a 401(k), employees aren't required to pay in, and benefits are typically paid after they retire or leave the company.

“Having 39 shareholders showed us the value of an ownership culture, and we wanted to extend that opportunity to the employees who make Baldwin & Shell successful every day.”

Bobby Gosser, CEO of Baldwin & Shell
  • Leadership: current team stays, and day-to-day operations continue as usual
  • Offices: Little Rock, Springdale, Jonesboro and Memphis
  • Anniversary: the firm is celebrating its 80th

$240 million+in Baldwin & Shell's revenue last year

The firm ranks 10th on Arkansas Business' list of the largest commercial contractors in Arkansas.

Sponsored

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Gifts for retirees, students, and healthy living

News Notes · More

Baptist Prep

The Eagles beat Episcopal Collegiate 43-0 Friday night in Little Rock to finish 10-0, the first undefeated regular season in program history and the school's first outright conference title since 2004. Baptist Prep will host East Poinsett County next Friday in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs. Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Four dates are coming up, from this weekend to 2027

  1. Nov. 7Monsters of Todd benefit concert at Revolution Music Room in Little Rock
  2. Nov. 13Baptist Prep will host East Poinsett County in the Class 2A playoffs
  3. Nov. 14Baptist Health lung cancer screenings run from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
  4. Sept. 2027National Trail of Tears Association conference is scheduled for Sept. 27-29 in Little Rock

Benefit concert

The 12th annual Monsters of Todd concert is set for Saturday at Revolution Music Room in Little Rock. This year's event will benefit Maurice Biggs Jr., who is battling leukemia. KARK

Screenings

Baptist Health is offering appointment times for patients who qualify for lung cancer screenings on Sat., Nov. 14, from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with low-dose CT screenings at imaging centers in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Fort Smith and Benton. The Kanis center is at 9101 Kanis Road, Suite 100, and if you think you might qualify, we suggest checking with Baptist Health first. KATV

Trail of Tears

The National Trail of Tears Association's national conference is scheduled for Sept. 27-29, 2027, in Little Rock. It's the first time in a decade the conference has come to Arkansas, which last hosted in 2017. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Home

Two home kitchen upgrades under $24 while sales last: super-absorbent dish towels that come in an eight-pack and include a hanging loop, and a water-absorbing stone sponge holder that’s minimalist, compact, and keeps counters and sponges dry with natural diatomite stone. Advertising from Amazon.

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Job

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Content marked with an * is advertising.

Around Arkansas · More

Waterways

Attorney General Tim Griffin announced $8.4 million Friday for 21 waterway projects across Arkansas, paid for by the state's settlement with Monsanto over PCB contamination claims. The release designates $6.7 million of it for projects through the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. K8 News

Conway-Bryant

Conway shut out Bryant 17-0 at Hornet Stadium, with a pair of special teams touchdowns igniting the Wampus Cats. Conway (9-1, 7-0) won the 7A-Central outright for the first time since 2014, and Coach Buck James beat his former team for the first time in four tries. Going in, Conway was the No. 1 playoff seed and Bryant No. 4. The Arkansas Democrat-GazetteThe Saline Courier

Conway shut out Bryant to win the 7A-Central

  • Conway17 (won)
    Bryant0
    FinalConway (9-1, 7-0) won the league outright for the first time since 2014.

Appointments

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders named Melonaie Gullick of Conway Justice of the Peace for Faulkner County, District 10. Gullick will fill the remaining term of Andy Shock, which expires Dec. 31, 2026. The governor's Friday list also put Andrew Baker of Searcy on the 2030 Arkansas Complete Count Committee. Arkansas RadioK8 News

Asked

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Asked

What's on your plans for this weekend?

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Today’s puzzles

A new puzzle in each one every morning, played right here.

All 13 games

Quoted

Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.

— Cesar A. Cruz

Things to Do

Things to Do

Little Rock, AR

Saturday, Nov. 7

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The Buy

Around the Block

Around the Block

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Neighbors

What a beautiful letter Chris wrote to the people in the state of AR, in his concession to the incumbent congressman , we will not forget you Chris!

“You will be our next congressman in the senate or house if we could get everyone out to vote! Every vote counts! Keep running and we’ll get you in!”

— A neighbor, Leawood

96 likes · 5 comments

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The Wrap

Robert Say McIntosh, Little Rock's sweet potato pie king, had a signature line after tasting each entry: "It's good, but it ain't my pie." He died in 2023, and the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center still honors him with its "Say It Ain't Says Sweet Potato Pie Contest" for the last 12 years. Bakers, that's a tough crowd to impress.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? UA System president Jay Silveria is leaving for Purdue

Read yesterday’s edition

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Every source in this edition18 links · 12 outlets
  1. The Weather Channelweather.com
  2. FOX16.comfox16.com
  3. Arkansas Money & Politicsarmoneyandpolitics.com
  4. Arkansas Businessarkansasbusiness.com
  5. Arkansas Businessarkansasbusiness.com
  6. Arkansas Money & Politicsarmoneyandpolitics.com
  7. Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazettenwaonline.com
  8. FOX16.comfox16.com
  9. Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazettenwaonline.com
  10. KARKkark.com
  11. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazettearkansasonline.com
  12. KATVkatv.com
  13. K8 Newskait8.com
  14. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazettearkansasonline.com
  15. The Saline Courierbentoncourier.com
  16. Arkansas Radioarkansasradio.com
  17. K8 Newskait8.com
  18. Little Rock events calendar5amlittlerockar.com

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5AM Little Rockto me · Sat., Nov. 76:00 a.m.

UA Little Rock raises record $266.5 million; Baldwin & Shell goes employee-owned

Plus, Baldwin & Shell is now 100% employee-owned and Conway shut out Bryant 17-0.

The TLDR

  1. UA Little Rock raised a record $266.5 million, topping its goal
  2. Baldwin & Shell Construction is now 100% employee-owned
  3. Baptist Prep finishes its first undefeated regular season
Read this edition

More stories this week

From 5AM Little Rock’s other editions

All the news
Higher EdUA System President Jay Silveria is leaving to lead Purdue UniversityIf you work, study or have family on a University of Arkansas System campus, here's the news: President Jay Silveria announced his resignation Thursday, less than two years into the job. Purdue hired him as its 14th president, and he's set to start Feb. 1, 2027.RazorbacksSilveria is expected to keep leading the Razorbacks athletics review until he leavesIf you follow the Hogs, the review of Razorback athletics isn't stopping. UA System communications director Nate Hinkel wrote in an email that the board expects Silveria to keep working in Arkansas until Feb. 1, including on the review. KATV reported he'll continue his work through January while the board looks for a replacement.OutdoorsGame and Fish will close Lake Conway's dam gates Dec. 2 so the lake can refillIf you fish, boat or live on Lake Conway, circle Dec. 2. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will close the gates to the dam's auxiliary structure that day so the lake can begin refilling, it told roughly 170 people at a Monday meeting at Mayflower High School. Don't count on a quick fill: Nick Feltz of the commission said it will take substantial rain.

Around Little Rock

From Jonesboro Right Now, KTLO and 2 more newsrooms, gathered by 6AM News, 6AM City’s local news service.

More local news
  1. Jonesboro Right Now5 hours ago

    Nettleton Tops 5A East Conference in Offensive Shootout Win Over Wynne, on Jonesboro Right Now

    Following the regular season finale win, the Raiders will open up their 5A playoff run against the Mills Comets, while the Yellowjackets will take on the Little Rock Parkview Patriots. Both matchups kick off on Nov. 13.

  2. KTLO7 hours ago

    Frost forecasted for Twin Lakes area over the weekend, on KTLO

    The National Weather Service in Little Rock is forecasting a frost for much of the Twin Lakes area this weekend. Meteorologist Charlie Kelly of the National Weather Service spoke with KTLO, Classic Hits and The Boot news

  3. Hot Springs Sentinel Record8 hours ago

    UAMS Brain Injury Program offers free virtual workshop, on Hot Springs Sentinel Record

    LITTLE ROCK — The UAMS Brain Injury Program will host a free virtual workshop on Nov. 19 to help individuals affected by brain injury connect with helpful resources, support and opportunities.

  4. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette9 hours ago

    Gov. Sanders’ new appointments, on The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

    Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Friday the following appointments:

  5. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette9 hours ago

    Conway gets best of Bryant thanks to special teams, on The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

    BRYANT -- Conway locked up the top seed from the 7A-Central Conference a week ago, but it took care of some unfinished business Friday night.

  6. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette10 hours ago

    North Little Rock shakes off slow start, rolls to easy win over Cabot, on The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

    With its seeding settled well before kickoff, North Little Rock wrapped up its regular season with a 31-3 victory over Cabot on Friday night at Charging Wildcat Stadium in North Little Rock.