5 endowments gain approval of board

Five new endowments that will recognize outstanding seniors from the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts at Hot Springs were approved by the University of Arkansas Foundation Inc. board of directors earlier this month.

The endowments will provide financial awards to outstanding rising seniors and graduating students.

The endowments are: ■ Charlie Cole Chaffin Student Service Award Endowment Fund, which will provide an award for a senior who is recognized for service at the school and volunteerism in the community. The endowment was established by Kelly Baker-Hefley, Class of 2000. It is named in honor of Charlie Cole Chaffin, one of the school’s chemistry instructors who also served as a state senator.

■ Class of 2000 Student Leadership Impact Award Endowment Fund, which will provide an annual award to a senior who has demonstrated exemplary citizenship and leadership with the potential to influence positive change. The endowment was established by Baker-Hefley.

■ Computer Science Student Award Endowment Fund, which will provide an annual award to a senior who has demonstrated exceptional achievements within the computer sciences discipline both in and beyond the classroom. The endowment was established by Dr. Jesse Thomason, Class of 2009.

■ Student Support Award Endowment Fund, which will provide an annual award to a rising senior who has demonstrated a need for financial support to assist with college application fees, ACT or SAT test preparations, and/or testing fees. The endowment was established by Thomason.

■ Alderdice Family Award for Excellence in the Arts, which will provide an annual award to a senior who has demonstrated significant talent, promise, commitment and leadership within visual or performing arts. The endowment was established by the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts’ director, Corey Alderdice, and his wife, Stephanie.