The University of Central Arkansas on Tuesday announced it it received a $5 million anonymous gift to support the interior design program at its Department of Art and Design.
The gift, one of the largest in university history, establishes two categories of endowed funds to support the interior design program. The majority of the gift, $4 million, will be used to endow faculty positions allowing at least four named professorships, the university said in a news release.
The remaining $1 million will be designated to support internship and experiential learning opportunities for students.
“This very generous gift will be transformative for a growing program with a national reputation for high-quality and accomplished graduates,” Houston Davis, president of the university, said in a statement. “These funds will ensure the retention and recruitment of outstanding faculty and make certain that our students are placed in challenging and meaningful experiential learning opportunities.”
Patricia Poulter, provost and executive vice president, said the gift will allow the interior design program to expand access to real-world learning experiences, such national conferences, community-based projects and certification exams.
All students must complete an internship before they graduate. Nearly 60 businesses across Arkansas currently serve as internship partners with the interior design program. The program has seen a 41% increase in enrollment since 2016-17.
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