Kelley Scholarship Supports Students in Heber Springs, Cleburne County

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Stephanie and Hank Kelley

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – University of Arkansas alumni Hank and Stephanie Kelley of Little Rock are supporting scholarships efforts at the U of A with a $50,000 commitment to Campaign Arkansas. Their gift will create the Henry C. Kelley Jr. and Stephanie Dailey Kelley Advance Arkansas Endowed Scholarship.

“The Kelleys’ generous gift to the Advance Arkansas scholarship initiative is a wonderful expression of their love for both the university and the aspiring students of our great state,” said Charles Robinson, vice chancellor for student affairs. “We are deeply grateful to the Kelleys for their commitment and support.”

The scholarship will support new, returning and transfer students from Arkansas who exhibit need, records of academic success and a strong desire to complete their degree at the U of A. Preference will be given to students who are from Heber Springs or Cleburne County, and are studying real estate, finance, accounting or enrolled in the Sam M. Walton College of Business.

“Growing up in a small community is a wonderful opportunity,” said Hank Kelley, who grew up in Heber Springs. “But being able to attend a university that is the size of the U of A is a rewarding experience for small town students. I want small schools across the state – and their students – to feel like they can be a part of the university. This gift is about giving back to the university but also helping someone who might not otherwise be able to go there.”

As with all Advance Arkansas scholarships, the spending amount generated by the Kelleys’ endowment will be matched by the university and double the award given to the student.

As a student at the U of A, Hank Kelley was involved in the Kennedy Portfolio Management Class in the Walton College and worked for a real estate appraiser during his junior and senior years. After graduating with his degree in finance and real estate, Kelley worked in the appraisal business in Fayetteville and eventually transitioned into the commercial real estate business. He is now chief executive officer and partner of Flake & Kelley Commercial in Little Rock. Kelley holds an M.B.A. from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, with the the Counselors of Real Estate designation, the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors designation and the Certified Property Manager designation.

Stephanie Kelley also attended the university and graduated with a degree in home economics with an emphasis in housing and interior design. She and her husband are both members of the Chancellor’s Society. The Kelleys are parents to four children and grandparents to eight. 

“The University of Arkansas is the university for the entire state,” said Hank Kelley. “It offered me a great education in real estate and finance and the opportunity to be make new friends across Arkansas. The friends I’ve made along the way have become my lifelong friends and business contemporaries, and we share great memories of our time at the university. Attending the U of A was a wonderful experience for my two sisters, Becky Kelley Gorman and Kay Kelley Arnold, as well as myself. Mother and Dad worked hard to make sure we had the opportunity to advance our education.”

About Campaign Arkansas: Campaign Arkansas is the ongoing capital campaign for the University of Arkansas to raise private gift support for the university’s academic mission and other key priorities. The campaign’s goal is to raise $1 billion to support academic and need-based scholarships, technology enhancements, new and renovated facilities, undergraduate, graduate and faculty research, study abroad opportunities and other innovative programs. The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in a wide spectrum of disciplines as it works to fulfill its public land-grant mission to serve Arkansas and beyond as a partner, resource and catalyst.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.