LOCAL FAMILY CREATES $50,000 SCHOLARSHIP TO BENEFIT EDUCATION, DIVERSITY

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The Bradberry Family Foundation, represented by local businessman Edwin G. Bradberry and his wife, Karlee, recently pledged more than $50,000 to establish a Chancellor's Scholarship at the University of Arkansas.

With their generosity, the Bradberrys hope not only to impact the education of one college student but also to improve the educational climate for all UA students through the promotion of increased diversity on campus.

"Raising the standards at the University will require greater diversity in the student body," said Mr. Bradberry. "We feel that enrolling a student from a different cultural or geographical background will help achieve that goal."

The couple has requested that the Bradberry Family Chancellor's Scholarship be awarded to a student from the New York City area. This student must meet the U of A's academic standard for Chancellor Scholars and should be interested in the field of business administration.

Such criteria are reflective of the Bradberry family's lifestyle and interests. Though they have lived in Northwest Arkansas since 1976, the Bradberrys spend much of their time at a second home in New York City. Mr. Bradberry views their scholarship donation as a way to benefit both of the areas they call home.

"The Bradberry family has not merely given a gift to the Chancellor Scholars program. Their effort to increase diversity at the U of A is a gift to the entire campus community," said Chancellor John A. White. "We greatly appreciate their generosity as well as the thoughtful way in which they have applied this gift."

The Bradberry family has a long history of involvement with the University of Arkansas. In Little Rock, Ed Bradberry has served as a member of the UAMS Jones Eye Institute Advisory Board and as director of the UAMS Foundation Fund Board.

On the Fayetteville campus, Bradberry is a member of the Chancellor's Society and serves on the Walton College of Business Advisory Board. As a charter member of the Board of Directors of the Northwest Arkansas Business Council, Bradberry has been a particular asset to the UA business administration program.

Upon arriving in Northwest Arkansas, Mr. Bradberry founded Continental Ozark, Inc. This petroleum products company grew to employ over 120 people at seven locations in four states. The Bradberrys have since sold Continental Ozark and devoted their full attention to B & B Resources, Inc., a family-held corporation.

During his more than 40 years in the oil and gas industry, Bradberry has served as founder and CEO of Western Crude Oil in Denver, Colo.; as director, vice president and secretary of Lion Oil Company in El Dorado; and as a member of professional petroleum and gas associations across the nation.

"Over the years, the U of A provided our businesses with many good people in the areas of finance and engineering - people we really needed," said Bradberry. "We felt like the University had given so much to our family and the community that we should give back."

Edwin and Karlee Bradberry have five children, one of whom graduated from the U of A in 1983. In addition, the Bradberrys make an effort to contribute time and money in ways that will benefit education, health and children's issues.

Through the unique nature of their donation to the University of Arkansas, the Bradberrys have once again fulfilled their commitment to promote education while expanding and improving the community.

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