FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - University alumni Carl and Margaret Whillock, of Little Rock, will provide $100,000 to the University of Arkansas to establish an endowment for the benefit of the School of Social Work in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.

UA Chancellor John A. White said, UA Chancellor John A. White said, "We are extremely pleased that the Whillocks chose to establish an endowment in the Fulbright College's School of Social Work. As alumni and dedicated University volunteers, the Whillocks know first-hand the impact their gift will have on the future of the college - and the University of Arkansas - as we strive to achieve our goal of strengthening programs.

"The School of Social Work will play a vitally important role in education and outreach across Arkansas as it conducts research and educates leaders in effective methods for reducing poverty," White added. "Through the School’s efforts, the Whillocks’ gift will have additional impact on improving the lives of Arkansans having the greatest need."

The recently created School of Social Work in Fulbright College is built on a 60-year history of providing quality undergraduate education in social work. For the past 10 years, the program has administered the statewide Academic Partnership in Social Welfare, composed of eight other Arkansas colleges and universities and the state’s Division of Children and Family Services. The partnership is designed to promote reform of child welfare services and improve the professional education of social workers. In 2000-2001, the state funded this project through a $2.8 million grant. The national Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work, one of the top four social work journals in the country, is edited and published in the School.

Randall Woods, dean of Fulbright College, said, "I would like to thank Carl and Margaret Whillock for their generous gift to the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. We are honored that such prominent UA alumni are also such strong supporters of our programs. As a growing program on the University campus, the School of Social Work will benefit from this significant gift as the School’s teaching, research and outreach components begin to affect the lives of the people of Arkansas."

Carl S. Whillock, BSSW ’48 and MA ’51, earned his law degree from George Washington University in 1960. He practiced law for a number of years, then worked in higher education for many years at both the University of Arkansas and Arkansas State University. Eventually, Mr. Whillock entered the private business sector as president and CEO of Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation and Arkansas Electric Cooperatives Incorporated where he worked until his retirement.

In 1997, he became special assistant to President Clinton for Agriculture, a post he held until earlier this year. He is a past member of the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees and the College of Engineering Industrial Advisory Council. In 2000, the Arkansas Alumni Association awarded Mr. Whillock the Citation of Distinguished Alumni.

Upon her graduation from the University of Arkansas, Margaret M. Whillock, BSE ’57, taught at Rogers and Springdale. Through the years she has served in such positions as executive director of the North Arkansas Symphony, director in Arkansas for Peace Links Worldwide, development director for the Arkansas Arts Center and executive vice president for Baptist Health Foundation. She is the former deputy director of the White House Visitor’s Office. She worked with President and Mrs. Clinton in welcoming visitors to the White House. She assisted in facilitating the welcoming of 1.5 million visitors to the White House each year. The visitor’s office was responsible for welcoming ceremonies for heads of government, the Easter Egg Roll, Fourth of July celebrations and other events.

She is currently the vice president for the Heifer Project International’s capital campaign. She is a member of the UA National Development Council, a volunteer organization that supports and advises the University in developing, enhancing and strengthening its academic and research programs. Additionally, she is a member of the College of Education and Health Professions Dean’s Council, an advisory body that serves as both advocates and ambassadors for the college. In 2000, Mrs. Whillock was inducted into the Fayetteville Public Education Foundation, Inc., Hall of Honor.

Mr. and Mrs. Whillock currently serve on the University of Arkansas Campaign for the Twenty-First Century Steering Committee, the top volunteer leadership group for the Campaign, currently in the planning stages.

Vice Chancellor for University Advancement G. David Gearhart said, "The Whillocks are considered to be among the most loyal alumni and friends of the University of Arkansas. Their volunteerism has been significant throughout the years and particularly in the planning and preparation for the forthcoming Campaign for the Twenty-First Century. We are grateful for both their generosity and leadership."

The School will provide a permanent home for externally funded projects in its new Social Work Research Center, established through a special Congressional appropriation of $921,000 and dedicated to reducing poverty in Arkansas. In addition, the School will house a new master's program in social work, currently being developed. The School’s externally funded projects provide a range of education, research, consultation and training to all 75 counties in Arkansas, particularly in the Delta and in southern counties.

Joe Schriver, associate professor and director of the School of Social Work, said, "The Whillock’s generous gift to the School of Social Work could not have come at a better time. It will be a tremendous help to us as we launch the new School and continue development of a

nationally competitive graduate social work program devoted to research and leadership education focused on poverty reduction in Arkansas. Our goal is to play a significant part in moving Arkansas’ most vulnerable citizens from poverty to self-sufficiency. Arkansas

has the 2nd highest poverty rate in the United States. We anticipate that the most significant impact of this gift will be the improvement it brings in the lives of Arkansas’ most needy citizens as a result of the research and professional practice contributions of our graduates in communities across the state, and ultimately the nation."

The School promotes research and education that lead to a deeper understanding of the complex influences of human, geographical and cultural diversity on economic prosperity and justice. Research and education in innovative programs and technologies for individual, community, social and economic development are hallmarks of the School’s mission.