Table after table of tasty dishes from 35 of central Arkansas' marquee restaurants drew a record 700 people to the Jack Stephens Center the night of April 27 for the 2017 Taste of Little Rock, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock's largest annual fundraiser.
The Stephens Center turned into a "nosh" pit of sorts as the hungry throngs packed onto the covered basketball court to pig out and pay homage to Dr. Ted Bailey II and his family, the night's honorees. They were lauded for decades of generosity to the university. Among their contributions were a 2002 donation that helped build the Bailey Alumni and Friends Center and a 2015 gift of $2 million for student scholarships.
Taste of Little Rock also broke previous fundraising records, pulling down nearly $121,000 for UALR's alumni scholarship endowment. This year's event, the 14th, was presented by Warren and Cindy Simpson.
Dr. Ted Bailey II is president of the Bailey Foundation. Other family board members include his wife, Sharon, and children Mary Bailey Shafer, Ted Bailey III, Jo Bailey McCray, John Bailey and Amy Bailey. The late Virginia Bailey, who was married to Dr. Bailey for nearly 58 years when she died in 2003, also served on the board.
"The Baileys are a remarkable family," said Christian O'Neal, vice chancellor for university advancement at UALR. "Their passionate support of our students and faculty make Little Rock a great place to study and live. Their journey with us has helped so many students discover a sense of significance because of the educational opportunities they've made possible."
High Profile on 05/07/2017