FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The world’s largest protein producer, Tyson Foods, Inc., of Springdale, Ark., has given a nine-passenger turboprop airplane to the University of Arkansas.

The 1989 King Air B200 is estimated to be worth approximately $1.8 million. The plane will be counted as a gift to the University’s Campaign for the Twenty-First Century, a fund drive to raise $900 million in private gift support by June 30, 2005. As of Dec. 31, 2002, the Campaign had raised $676.4 million or 75 percent of the goal.

"We expect to take receipt of the plane within 60 days, and we will put it to use immediately," said University of Arkansas Chancellor John A. White. "We are deeply grateful to CEO John Tyson and the corporate leadership for giving us the means to travel more efficiently inside and outside the state of Arkansas on University business. The Tyson Foods gift will make a real difference for the University."

The University had been using a 1977 Turbo Commander, a six-passenger turboprop owned by the Razorback Foundation, but the plane’s tail section had been damaged during a flight earlier this fall. The King Air B200 is more spacious, comfortable and quiet than the Turbo Commander, said UA pilot Ken Haxel.

Tyson Foods took ownership of the King Air during its recent acquisition of IBP, Inc., at the time the nation’s largest beef and pork producer.

"We believe the University of Arkansas needs this aircraft, and we are delighted to be able to support the Campaign in this manner," said CEO John Tyson.

"There’s a number of ways to make a gift to the University, but gifts-in-kind such as the King Air that address an urgent University need are always appreciated," said Tyson, who serves on the Campaign Executive Committee and chairs its Corporate and Foundation Gifts Subcommittee.

The King Air, to be flown by the University’s two pilots, will transport University administrators, faculty and staff on University business to meetings involving fundraising, intercollegiate athletics, student recruitment, professional meetings, and special events. Most University flights of this sort go to Little Rock and other cities and towns in Arkansas as well as Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Kansas City, St. Louis and other venues.

"Of the various gifts-in-kind the University has received during the Campaign — including artwork, special collections, musical instruments, telecommunications equipment, computer hardware and software, real estate, livestock and much more — this is the first time the University has been gifted with aircraft," said G. David Gearhart, vice chancellor of University Advancement.

"But it is not the first time the Tyson family and Tyson Foods have made substantial gifts to the University," he added. "Through the years, they have been among the University’s most generous philanthropists, and the University would not be where it is today without their strong support."

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