Schmieding Foundation Gift Supports Family Study Space

A $150,000 gift from the Schmieding Foundation to the University Libraries at the University of Arkansas will bolster a multifaceted family study space designed for parents and caregivers on the U of A campus. In addition, it will support teacher education in the university’s elementary and secondary education programs by expanding the Curriculum Materials Collections and Children’s Literature Collections. 

The Schmieding Foundation Family Study Space in the Mullins Library supports campus parents and caregivers by providing a dedicated space where they can study effectively while their children learn and play in a safe, engaging environment. It also promotes early literacy and learning by providing resources that encourage play-based learning for children. The space was created in 2022 with funding from the Women’s Giving Circle; the Schmieding Foundation gift will outfit the space with furniture, interactive play items, and supplies and create an adjacent mother’s room and calming room. Additions to the Curriculum Materials and Children’s Literature Collections provided by the gift will enhance the resources available for students and faculty in the elementary and secondary education programs. 

“The Schmieding Foundation has a long and meaningful history of supporting education and well-being in Arkansas,” said Chancellor Charles Robinson. “With this gift, they are once again demonstrating their deep commitment to helping Arkansans thrive. We are grateful for their generosity and honored to have them as a partner in supporting our students and their families.” 

Across the country, there is a growing need for family-friendly spaces on university campuses. At the U of A, more than 1,000 current students are parents or caregivers who strike the balance between academic responsibilities and family obligations. The Schmieding Foundation Family Study Space will help address critical challenges faced by these students, reducing barriers to academic success. Faculty and staff are also invited to utilize the space with their children.  

“The Schmieding Foundation has long been committed to supporting children and education,” said Lance Taylor, president of the Schmieding Foundation. “We are excited to partner with the University of Arkansas on this important resource that will help students achieve their educational goals and foster early learning and literacy skills among their children.” 

The Schmieding Foundation Family Study Space is located on the second floor of the renovated Mullins Library, which offers a quieter, less stimulating environment for children while ensuring proximity to key academic resources and study areas. Thoughtful design ensures that the space feels separate from high traffic areas, minimizing distractions and creating a calmer atmosphere conducive to study and exploration. The space supplies a range of interactive items to encourage safe, engaging play, including toys, games, crayons and coloring supplies. Family backpack kits with books, toys, puzzles and other items are also available to check out. 

The gift from the Schmieding Foundation will allow for the creation of the private mother’s room – complete with a glider, sink and refrigerator – and the calming room that will provide sensory items and soothing devices. The gift will also augment the space’s child-sized furniture, interactive play items, technology and other resources for family engagement. Programming will be led by the University Libraries’ Education Librarian, Megan York, who will add to the varied selection of books, educational resources and play-based learning tools available.  

“The University Libraries are thrilled the Schmieding Foundation selected this wonderful space that supports family study and teacher education in Mullins Library,” said Jason Battles, dean of University Libraries. “Their generous gift will enable us to fully outfit new locations and expand our collection of materials supporting teaching education and the instruction of the next generation of Razorbacks.” 

By enhancing the Schmieding Foundation Family Study Space, the university expects increased retention and academic success rates for student parents and caregivers, greater access to early literacy and learning resources for children and an increased utilization of the Curriculum Materials and Children’s Literature collections. By addressing both academic and family needs, the space will foster a welcoming and supportive environment for the campus community. 

“For decades, and once again, the Schmieding Foundation stands as a strong and enduring partner of the University of Arkansas committed to student success and helping students who have young children balance their academic lives with their responsibilities as parents,” said Scott Varady, vice chancellor for advancement. “The Schmieding Foundation Family Study Space will make a profound impact by providing critical support for student parents and caregivers while also enriching the lives of their children through early learning experiences. The university is honored by the Schmieding Foundation’s longstanding support and dedication to transforming lives. This gift speaks to the heart of what community and philanthropy can achieve together.” 

The Schmieding Foundation is based in Springdale and supports numerous nonprofits and initiatives in the region, with a primary focus on health care and education for children and seniors. The foundation has supported the university for nearly 30 years, giving more than $1 million to scholarships, research internships and departmental support. Lawrence Schmieding, benefactor of the Schmieding Foundation, was a member of the university’s Campaign for the Twenty-First Century steering committee, Towers of Old Main and the Arkansas Alumni Association. 

About the University Libraries: Located in the heart of campus, the David W. Mullins Library is the university's main research library. Branch libraries include the Chemistry and Biochemistry Library, the Fine Arts Library, the Physics Library, and the Robert A. and Vivian Young Law Library. The Libraries provide access to more than 3.7 million volumes and more than 232,000 journals, and offer research assistance, study spaces, high-tech creative spaces, printing and scanning, interlibrary loan and delivery services, and cultural exhibits and events. The Libraries' Special Collections division acquires, preserves, and provides access to materials on Arkansas and the region, its customs and people, and its cultural, physical, and political climate. Visit the Libraries' website at libraries.uark.edu to learn more about services and collections. 

About University Advancement: University Advancement advances the mission of the University of Arkansas by raising private gift support from alumni, friends, parents, foundations, corporations, and other institutional supporters. Working in philanthropic partnership with academic leaders and volunteers, Advancement team members are determined to advance the people, work, and impact of the greater whole at the University of Arkansas. 

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $3 billion to Arkansas’ economy  through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.