Walker Foundation Donates $5M for University of Arkansas Scholarship

(Walker Foundation)

The University of Arkansas in Fayetteville has received a $5 million gift from The Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation to support the Land of Opportunity Scholarship endowment.

Established to increase educational access for students from all 75 counties in Arkansas, the Land of Opportunity Scholarship aims to strengthen partnerships between the university and businesses across the state. The scholarship is a three-year campaign that launched Nov. 12.

As of April 1, the campaign has raised 64% of its goal.

With this contribution, the foundation will join the Leaders of Arkansas Founders’ Circle, a group of benefactors who have committed at least $1 million to the scholarship campaign.

“The Land of Opportunity Scholarship will create life-changing opportunities for countless students across Arkansas and embodies our commitment to improving educational access for those with significant financial needs,” Mandy Macke, executive director of The Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation, said in a press release announcing the donation.

Founded in 1986, the Walker Foundation has a long history of investment in the U of A. Facilities such as the Pat Walker Health Center and Willard J. Walker Hall exist because of the foundation’s donations.

Additionally, Baum-Walker Stadium, Walker Family Training Center, which includes the Willard and Pat Walker Pavilion and the Razorbacks’ 18,000-SF weight room facility, the Willard & Pat Walker Entry to Bud Walton Arena and the Willard and Pat Walker Entry to Razorback Stadium are symbols of the foundation’s commitment.

“The Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation has long been a cornerstone of progress at the University of Arkansas,” Chancellor Charles Robinson said in the release. “Time and again, their generosity has opened doors for students, elevated the quality of our campus and advanced our land-grant mission to serve all of Arkansas. Their latest gift to the Land of Opportunity Scholarship continues that extraordinary legacy — helping us build a brighter future for students, families and communities across the state.”

The Walker Foundation has also supported scholarships in the past, establishing the Pat Walker Endowed Scholarship Fund, the Pat Walker Honors College Fellowship, the Pat Walker Lady Razorback Endowed Scholarship in Gymnastics and the Merlin and Beverly Augustine Endowed Scholarship Fund.