California Couple Advances Arkansas Students with New Scholarship

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Steve and Kathryn Lauck

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – J. Stephen and Kathryn L. Lauck of Ross, California, are contributing $50,000 to Campaign Arkansas for the establishment of an Advance Arkansas scholarship. Their gift is a continuation of scholarship support provided over the years and results in the creation of the J. Stephen and Kathryn L. Lauck Advance Arkansas Endowed Scholarship.

“The establishment of this scholarship is another of the many ways that Stephen and Kathryn support the Sam M. Walton College of Business and the university,” said Matt Waller, Walton College dean and holder of the Sam M. Walton Leadership Chair. “The Laucks are all about success for our students, and their history of service to our college through their gifts of time and money is an inspiration to all of our supporters.”

“Education is key to raising one’s standard of living,” Stephen Lauck said. “Kathryn and I hope more people join in and realize they, too, can impact lives.”

The J. Stephen and Kathryn L. Lauck Advance Arkansas Endowed Scholarship will support new, returning or transfer students from Arkansas, with preference given to students who are the first in their families to pursue a four-year baccalaureate degree. The selection of the initial recipient will be made with preference given to students enrolled in the Walton College.

In 2007, the Laucks established the J. Stephen and Kathryn L. Lauck Access Arkansas Scholarship, which also benefits students who exhibit financial need.

“Scholarships like this are a win-win,” Stephen Lauck said. “They’re good for the students and good for the university. Students often drop out because they can’t afford it. These scholarships are for the strong students who work hard and are often working their way through college – like I did.”

Originally from North Little Rock, Lauck graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business with an emphasis in finance and banking before serving as a naval officer after graduation. While he was based in California, Lauck completed his M.B.A. from the University of Southern California, where he also met Kathryn.

In 1984, Stephen Lauck purchased an interest in Ashfield Capital Partners, an investment management business, and has since grown and expanded the company. He was president and chief executive officer for 25 years and now serves as its chair.

Lauck was named entrepreneur of the year by the Walton College in 2008. He is a member of the Campaign Arkansas committee for the college and serves on the Dean’s Executive Advisory Board. He and Kathryn are also both members of the Arkansas Alumni Association and are recognized as Thoroughreds for 13 years of consecutive giving to the university.

“When I first started coming back for Walton College board meetings, I was impressed with many things, including how much the campus had grown,” Lauck said. “But it has done a great job expanding while still maintaining its campus feel.”

About Campaign Arkansas: Campaign Arkansas is the ongoing capital campaign for the University of Arkansas to raise private gift support for the university’s academic mission and other key priorities. The campaign’s goal is to raise $1 billion to support academic and need-based scholarships, technology enhancements, new and renovated facilities, undergraduate, graduate and faculty research, study abroad opportunities and other innovative programs. The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in a wide spectrum of disciplines as it works to fulfill its public land-grant mission to serve Arkansas and beyond as a partner, resource and catalyst.

About the Sam M. Walton College of Business: The Sam M. Walton College of Business is a nationally and internationally recognized leader in business education and research. Since its founding at the University of Arkansas in 1926, the Walton College has grown to become the state's premier college of business – as well as a nationally competitive business school. The Walton College is ranked 26th among public business colleges by U.S. News & World Report, which ranks the supply chain management/logistics specialty 14th among public business colleges.

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.