The Windgate Foundation has awarded a $4.3 million grant to Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, through the school’s foundation, for need-based scholarships and nursing education equipment.
Most of the gift, $4 million, is earmarked to create a need-based scholarship endowment. The remainder will be used to purchase new simulation equipment for nursing students at ATU.
“This is a transformational gift for Arkansas Tech University,” President Robin Bowen said in a news release. “Student access is the foundation of our mission. The ability to provide more need-based scholarships will make the dream of graduating from college attainable for more Arkansas Tech students. We offer our appreciation to the Windgate Foundation Board of Directors for their support of Arkansas Tech and their investment in our students.”
“The gift we are announcing today represents the strengthening of the partnership between the Windgate Foundation and Arkansas Tech as well as our shared commitment to increasing the quality of life in Arkansas,” added Jason Geiken, vice president for advancement. “Our work together over the past three years has yielded the first artist in residence program at Arkansas Tech, professional development opportunities for K-12 art teachers and increased scholarship opportunities for ATU art students. We are excited to increase our collaboration with the Windgate Foundation and provide even more pathways to success for Arkansas Tech students.”
Thursday’s announcement is the latest in a series of multimillion-dollar Windgate contributions to universities, colleges and other institutions in the state. The foundation was endowed in 1993, using a gift of Walmart stock from Dorothea Hutcheson of Fort Smith.
Other recent Windgate contributions in Arkansas include $6.4 million to Arkansas State University in Jonesboro for arts education and need-based scholarships, $8 million to the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith for arts education and need-based scholarships and $469,420 to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff for teacher preparation programs.
The foundation has also given $20.3 million to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and $20 million to the University of Central Arkansas to construct arts buildings, plus another $40 million to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville for an entire arts district that will include the Windgate Studio & Design Center.
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