CONWAY, Ark. (KATV) — Hendrix College has received has been awarded a $2 million challenge grant courtesy of the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation to help with the renovation of the historic Galloway Hall on campus.
Galloway Hall was constructed and designed by Arkansas architect Charles L. Thompson in 1933, and serves as the oldest women’s residence hall on campus.
The hall was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 and continues to be a centra, part of the Hendrix community.
Hendrix President Karen Petersen said, “The Mabee Foundation challenge grant provides an opportunity to engage the entire Hendrix community in the restoration of Galloway Hall and the rejuvenation of the residential experience at Hendrix College. Galloway exemplifies the value of the residential experience—for nearly 100 years, students, alumni, and their families have developed lifelong friendships and connections as Galloway residents. Thanks to generous supporters, we will ensure many more generations of women are able to do the same.”
To unlock the Mabee Foundation challenge, Hendrix College, and its community of alumni and friends must raise an additional $2 million in funds.
The Mabee Foundation wants to emphasize the importance of all gifts when it comes to accomplishing this effort.
Upon completion of the challenge, the contributions will make up around one-fourth of the $12.5 million Galloway Hall project, including construction costs and an endowment for maintenance of the building for the foreseeable future.
There will be a team of Hendrix alum, consisting of Jan Nelson Hundley ’80, Stephanie Anderson Gunderman ’93, Melissa Taulbee Brighton ’97, and Tanya Corbin Frey ’02, that will work with President Petersen.
The alum will attempt to persuade fellow alumni to follow the Hendrix College Facebook page and the www.hendrix.edu/galloway for updates on the project.
“To have Galloway Hall as my first ‘home away from home’ was truly a gift,” said Gunderman. “It is a privilege to serve alongside our three co-chairs who have such rich memories of their lives in Galloway. We are excited to encourage and support this philanthropic endeavor for Galloway Hall, which will leave a lasting legacy for our future, present, and past Hendrix community.”
The renovation of the building will look to modernize the infrastructure and facilities, while also keeping the character and charm that makes Galloway Hall what it is.
These renovations will include enhanced accessibility features, upgraded security systems, and restoring the original architectural elements.
The project is to ensure that future generations of Hendrix students will be able Galloway Hall like those before them.
Galloway Hall Council President Avery Cagle ’26 has lived in the historic residence hall for the past two years and looks forward to the restoration project. She said, “I love how homey and lived-in this building feels. To find out that the goal of the restoration is to keep the character [of the building] intact was just really amazing to hear.”
Hendrix College, founded in 1876, will celebrate its 150th anniversary during the 2026 school year, and the reopening of Galloway Hall in August 2026 will kick of the celebrations.
“Completing the restoration next fall as we launch our sesquicentennial celebrations aligns perfectly with our community’s emphasis on honoring our history as we prepare for our next 150 years of life-changing work,” added Petersen.
To learn more about contributing to Galloway Hall or learn more about the project, click here.
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