FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — More students will have access to nationally competitive educational opportunities at the University of Arkansas, thanks to a $250,000 gift by James and Wanda Irwin, of Springdale, designated toward an agriculture scholarship endowment.

The James and Wanda Irwin Endowed Scholarship will be awarded to qualified undergraduate students pursuing a college degree in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.

UA Chancellor John White said, "We are deeply grateful to the Irwins for helping the University of Arkansas emerge as a nationally competitive, student-centered research university serving Arkansas and the world. This gift will go a long way toward providing much needed scholarship opportunities for University of Arkansas students. This, in turn, will help increase the number of Arkansans holding bachelor’s degrees, a necessary step in making Arkansas economically competitive."

Greg Weidemann, dean of Bumpers College said, "The Irwins’ generosity to Bumpers College will be remembered and we are grateful for their support. This scholarship fund will be a valuable tool for us as we continue to seek ways to improve student recruitment and retention of students in our college."

Mr. Irwin, a UA alumnus, is a retired vice president for production for Tyson Foods. He is now a beef and poultry grower. He taught vocational agriculture in the Lincoln and Prairie Grove schools. He was a walk-on player for the basketball Razorbacks in 1944. Irwin is a member of the Chambers of Commerce in Springdale and Lincoln; a member of the Northwest Regional Airport Authority; on the Washington County Board of Education; a past director for the Bank of Fayetteville; a member of the Farm Bureau and the Cattlemen’s Association. Also, he served for 19 years on the Springdale City Council, was named Jaycee Boss of the year in 1970 and served on the Arkansas Poultry Federation Board.

Mrs. Irwin is also a graduate of the University, earning her degree from the Sam M. Walton College of Business. She also taught school in the Lincoln and Prairie Grove school systems, had a real estate business, served on the boards of the Bank of Lincoln, Youthbridge and other schools, her church, the hospital and on community committees. She currently serves on the communications committee for the Northwest Technical Institute.

The Irwins said, "We are glad to make a contribution to the University of Arkansas. We have been proud to be graduates of the U of A, and fortunate to have our children and grandchildren educated there also. Four generations of our family have graduated from there and we are glad God has blessed us in such a way that we can share with other students who plan to attend the University of Arkansas also."

The Irwins were inducted into the Towers of Old Main, an honor bestowed on special benefactors to recognize cumulative giving to the University of Arkansas. They have also previously designated, through a charitable remainder trust, the establishment of scholarships for students interested in studying poultry science, music, banking and finance, nursing, and designated funds to the Razorback Foundation Inc.

This gift will be counted toward the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century’s $300 Million Challenge, the University’s effort to raise $300 million for academic support by June 30, 2005. As of Sept. 30, 2002, The Challenge total stands at $52.5 million. The overall Campaign goal is $900 million, of which $663 million in gifts and pledges has been raised. Campaign funds are being used to help the University achieve its vision for the twenty-first century. Campaign funds are being raised for six critical areas of need: endowed faculty positions and scholarship funds, academic programs, University Libraries, academic facilities and equipment and annual giving.