Funding Will Help Strengthen Affordability and Expand Educational Opportunity at PSU

Philander Smith University has received a $3.9 million grant from the Windgate Foundation to expand student access and strengthen long-term scholarship support through the creation of a new endowed scholarship fund.

The award includes a $3.75 million endowed gift designated for the Philander Smith University Need-Based Scholarship Endowment, along with a $150,000 bridge grant to provide immediate scholarship assistance while the endowment is established and activated.

Structured to create both immediate impact and enduring support, the grant will provide scholarship assistance for current students while establishing a permanent source of need-based aid for future generations of Philander Smith students.

“This extraordinary investment from the Windgate Foundation will strengthen affordability and help ensure that financial barriers do not hinder educational opportunity for generations of Philander Smith students,” said Dr. Maurice D. Gipson, President and CEO of Philander Smith University. “As we approach our 150^th anniversary, we are deeply grateful to the Windgate Foundation for investing in the mission of our institution and the future of our scholars.”

According to the Foundation, the grant was approved by the Windgate Foundation Board in April 2026. In its award letter, the Foundation noted the desire of its trustees to establish an endowed fund that will “perpetuate their giving to the needs of the organization long beyond their lifetime.”

“For many students, scholarship support is the difference between stopping out and staying the course,” Gipson added. “This transformative award helps ensure that talented, determined scholars have the opportunity to continue their education and fulfill their purpose through Philander Smith University.”

Philander Smith University announced Monday it has secured $7 million in federal funding through a Congressionally Directed Spending request by U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) to support improvements to the Harry R. Kendall Health and Science Center and expand training capacity for its nursing program.

The announcement was made during a press conference held in the atrium of the Harry R. Kendall Health and Science Center on the Philander Smith University campus.

The investment will support facility and equipment upgrades, the acquisition of a mobile unit for the nursing program, and related campus improvements designed to strengthen healthcare workforce preparation and expand opportunities for students pursuing careers in nursing and allied health.

Jimmy Harris, Little Rock field representative for U.S. Senator John Boozman, joined the university leadership on campus to mark the announcement and highlight the impact of the investment on healthcare training at Philander Smith University and the growing demand for nurses and healthcare professionals across Arkansas.

“This investment to help establish the Health and Science Center will result in expanded hands-on training for future healthcare professionals,” said Boozman. “By supporting modern facilities and a mobile unit for the nursing program, we are ensuring students gain the skills needed to serve communities across Arkansas and meet the growing demand for quality medical care.”

Dr. Maurice D. Gipson, president of Philander Smith University, said the investment represents a significant step forward for the institution’s growing health science programs and its commitment to preparing students for careers in high-demand fields.

“Philander Smith University has long been committed to preparing students to lead lives of service and impact,” Gipson said. “This investment strengthens our capacity to deliver high-quality training in the health sciences while expanding opportunities for students to gain the hands-on experience necessary to serve communities across Arkansas and beyond.”

President Gipson noted that improvements to the Kendall Health and Science Center and the addition of a mobile training unit will expand the University’s ability to provide modern, experiential learning opportunities for students preparing for careers in healthcare.