September 28, 2026 — Hendrix College has announced the establishment of the Robert and Helen Adcock Endowed Scholarship, a $500,000 gift from the Adcock Family Foundation that will create new scholarship opportunities for students from Conway. Through the Windgate Challenge, the gift will be matched dollar for dollar, creating a $1 million endowed scholarship fund.
Named in honor and memory of Robert “Rabbit” Adcock and Helen Bailey Adcock ’46, the scholarship recognizes a family connection to Hendrix that began more than 80 years ago when Rabbit and Helen were students at the College. Their son, Robert “Bunny” Adcock, has continued the family’s commitment to education, public service, and civic leadership, and the scholarship honors his parents while investing in the community Hendrix and the Adcock family have long called home.
“My parents shared a lifelong appreciation for Hendrix, and it is meaningful to our family to honor them in this way,” said Bunny Adcock. “We also see this scholarship as an investment in Conway and its young people. We hope it encourages talented students in our community to consider Hendrix and the opportunities available to them right here at home.”
The scholarship also advances Hendrix’s participation in the Windgate Challenge, an initiative designed to strengthen the College’s endowment through matching gifts.
“The Adcock Family Foundation’s generosity reflects a shared belief in the importance of Hendrix to Conway and Conway to Hendrix,” said Hendrix College President Karen Petersen. “This scholarship honors a family with deep ties to both while creating new opportunities for local students and helping ensure that our College and community continue to thrive together.”
Recipients of the scholarship will also benefit from Via Hendrix, the College’s distinctive approach to career-connected liberal arts education. Via Hendrix, every student completes a required paid or funded co-op within four years while receiving personalized career mentoring and advising from their first year through graduation. Students leave Hendrix with an exceptional liberal arts education as well as meaningful professional experience, trusted relationships, and greater clarity and confidence about what comes next.
“A Hendrix education is about preparing students for lives of accomplishment, integrity, service, and joy,” Petersen said. “Via Hendrix, every student graduates with meaningful professional experience, strong professional relationships, and the confidence that comes from applying a liberal arts education in the real world. Gifts like this expand those opportunities for Conway students and strengthen the future of our community.”
The Robert and Helen Adcock Endowed Scholarship will provide scholarship support for eligible graduates of Conway high schools who choose to attend Hendrix.
For more information about scholarships and financial aid, visit via.hendrix.edu or contact the Office of Admission at 501-450-1368.
About Hendrix College
Founded in 1876, Hendrix College is featured in Colleges That Change Lives: 45 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges and celebrated among the country’s leading liberal arts colleges for academic quality, engaged learning opportunities and career preparation, vibrant campus life, and value. The Hendrix College Warriors compete in 21 NCAA Division III sports. Hendrix has been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1884. Learn more at via.hendrix.edu.
“… Through engagement that links the classroom with the world, and a commitment to diversity, inclusion, justice, and sustainable living, the Hendrix community inspires students to lead lives of accomplishment, integrity, service, and joy.” –Hendrix College Statement of Purpose