Bogles' $1 Million Gift Will Back Bumpers Dean's Innovation Fund

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Marilyn Bogle and Bumpers College Dean Mike Vayda in 2013.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Bob and Marilyn Bogle of Bentonville are pledging $1 million to create the Bob and Marilyn Bogle Endowed Dean’s Innovation Fund in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas.

“The Bogles are pillars of philanthropy on the University of Arkansas campus,” said Chris Wyrick, vice chancellor for university advancement. “Over the years, they have continued to step up and support a multitude of efforts, while also remaining involved and engaged as volunteers. I count them as wonderful friends and appreciate their eagerness to make an impact with this fund. From Bumpers College to Bogle Park and everything in between, Bob and Marilyn have touched the lives of thousands of students at our university.”

The endowed fund will provide Bumpers College with resources for teaching, research and meaningful project-based learning experiences, giving the dean the flexibility to enhance the college’s national prestige, recognition and impact. Faculty, students, programs and facilities will all be supported, but special emphasis will be given to advancing the Horticulture Department to become one of the premier programs in the nation. In addition, the fund will support value-added programming and professional career opportunities in areas such as the equine program, entrepreneurship and global experience opportunities.

The fund will also be used to augment the Bumpers College scholarship program, with preference given toward the recruitment of exceptional students.

Bob and Marilyn Bogle already sponsor two endowed scholarships for Bumpers College students: one in horticulture and one Access Arkansas scholarship, which is based on financial need. They were major contributors to the Jean Tyson Child Development Study Center and are regular contributors to the Equine Operational Fund.

“We are extremely thankful for Bob and Marilyn, and their active support of the Bumpers College,” said Dean Mike Vayda. “They have been generous in supporting horticulture, the Jean Tyson Child Development Study Center and our equine program. This gift will help elevate us to an elite horticulture program. We are looking forward to providing premier programming and professional career opportunities in horticulture, but also in the Bogles’ other areas of interest such as global experiences, entrepreneurship and equine studies. They have sponsored scholarships for years and this will allow us to recruit additional exceptional students. We recognized Marilyn as an official ‘Friend’ of the Bumpers College two years ago, but she is more than that. We are fortunate to have her in our family.”

In addition to their giving in Bumpers College, the Bogles have contributed regularly to Razorback Athletics with donations to the Bob and Marilyn Bogle Academic Center, an endowed gymnastics scholarship, the Bev Lewis Center and the George Billingsley Tennis Center. They also supported the renovation and expansion of Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium and Baum Stadium. In May 2008, Bogle Park, one of the nation’s premier softball facilities, was officially dedicated.

Bob Bogle was the first manager of Walton’s Five and Dime on the square in Bentonville and later created the name “Walmart” for the retail outlet. Marilyn Bogle served on the university’s Board of Advisors after the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century, currently serves on the executive committee for Campaign Arkansas and is a member of the Women’s Giving Circle. Both are life members of the Arkansas Alumni Association, members of the Chancellor’s Society and are recognized as “Thoroughreds” for their consecutive years of giving to the university.

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.