The Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts announced a $100,000 grant from the Oaklawn Foundation during a ceremony Thursday held on the school’s campus.
The grant was dedicated for the Selig Hall Auditorium as part of a $5.5 million restoration of the former St. Joseph Hospital convent and chapel complex, which was completed in September 2022, converting the spaces into additional residential housing for students, a campus mental health hub with offices for professional counseling staff, a new student union and an auditorium. The renovated facility is named in honor of former Hot Springs Mayor Helen Selig, who was among the earliest and most vocal proponents of bringing the school to the city.
“The Oaklawn Foundation and its dedicated board of community advocates have played a critical role in promoting wellness and educational opportunities throughout Hot Springs,” said Corey Alderdice, ASMSA’s director. “ASMSA is grateful for the support of the Oaklawn Foundation toward the restoration of the former chapel as the Selig Hall Auditorium. We are excited to bring this space back to its former beauty while having another place for students to gather and welcome the community onto our campus for programs, concerts, and events.”
The Oaklawn Foundation has previously supported projects at ASMSA, including making a $300,000 grant in December 2016 that was used toward the construction of the $4.5 million Creativity and Innovation Complex, the first new academic building constructed on campus in the school’s history.
Sam Stathakis Jr., who serves as the chair of the Oaklawn Foundation board, said it was these kind of projects for which the foundation was created.
“This (project) really fits into what we do as a foundation to support great institutions like ASMSA. It’s an honor for us to participate in this project in this way,” Stathakis said.
The Oaklawn Foundation receives funding each year from Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs. The foundation uses the money to fund programs and scholarships that benefit Garland County students and senior citizens. Previous projects supported by the Oaklawn Foundation include the Oaklawn Foundation Scholarships for Garland County students and the Oaklawn Center on Aging in cooperation with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation.