The University of Arkansas in Fayetteville announced Tuesday the public phase of a $200 million fundraising initiative to support its new Land of Opportunity Scholarship campaign.
The three-year effort will create an endowment for academically-successful Arkansans who exhibit a high level of financial need, including Pell-eligible students.
More than $122 million has already been raised for the campaign, including a planned gift of $100 million from Jane Hunt and Bryan Hunt on behalf of the J.B. and Johnelle Hunt family. The donation from the Hunt family makes up half of the fundraising goal for the campaign.
Currently, an 18-point graduation rate gap exists between students who are Pell-grant eligible and students who have sufficient resources to pay for their education.
The Land of Opportunity Scholarship aims to support undergraduate students from Arkansas who exhibit strong academic ability and high financial need. Land of Opportunity scholars will engage in student success support including mentorship, academic coaching, financial planning and career readiness programs in hopes of creating higher retention and graduation outcomes. The scholarship will also give Arkansas students access to a statewide internship program with Arkansas-based companies and other high-impact educational practices.
High-impact educational practices, including internships, undergraduate research, service learning and study abroad programs, are proven indicators of student success.
“We are pleased to be able to provide this additional support to Arkansas students, who are ambitious and academically prepared, but who may need a little extra to cross the finish line and graduate,” Suzanne McCray, vice provost of enrollment services and dean of admissions, said in a press release. “We want to be able to help launch them to successful academic and professional careers. This new scholarship has the potential to make an important difference not only for the students and for our campus, but also for their communities and for our state.”
The press release said the scholarship will also aim to strengthen the Arkansas workforce for the benefit of the Arkansas business community. Bryan Hunt said in the release that “graduates of the Univerity of Arkansas have played a pivotal role in the success of J.B. Hunt Transport over the years,” and that the company is “excited about the internship opportunities that will exist” from the scholarship.
Others have also supported the campaign by joining the “Land of Opportunity Scholarship Leaders of Arkansas Founders’ Circle” with a gift of at least $1 million: Jane Hunt, Bryan and Mandy Hunt, Johnelle Hunt and the J.B. and Johnelle Hunt family; Bill and Mandy Dillard; the Chris and Jamie Fowler family; the Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation; Becky and Bob Alexander and the Becky and Bob Alexander Charitable Foundation; Rick Massey and Anne Goodman and the Massey Family Charitable Foundation; the Stella Boyle Smith Trust, Catherine H. Mayton and Michael R. Mayton, Trustees; and Bruce and Rebecca Woody.
Additional gifts have been contributed in honor of Michael R. Mayton; Kevin and Stephanie Wilcox; Chip and Suzanne Beard; Mary Curtis, Ann and Gene Bordelon; Jim and Susan von Gremp; John Berry and Richard Leigh Anderson; Jane and Dave Gearhart; Russel and Lucretia Plumley; Charles Robinson and Reynelda Augustine-Robinson; and Scott and Melissa Varady.
“The Land of Opportunity Scholarship will better ensure that deserving Arkansas students have the support necessary to achieve their academic goals and live the American dream,” chancellor Charles Robinson said in a press release. “We’re incredibly grateful to the Hunt family and to all those who have generously supported this effort. Their commitment will benefit generations of Arkansans.”
The university will initiate an application process for the Land of Opportunity Scholarship during the 2025-26 academic year, and the first cohort of Land of Opportunity scholars will begin their studies in the fall 2026 semester.
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