University Of Arkansas Jumps 39 Places In National Endowment Rankings

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. --- Among the top 503 college and university endowments in the United States, the University of Arkansas and its foundation moved up 39 places in fiscal year 1999, from 202^nd to 163^rd.

The rankings were reported in the Feb. 18 Chronicle of Higher Education.

As of June 30, 1999, the University of Arkansas and its foundation had an endowment with a market value of $222,838,000.

That sum represented a 53.1 percent growth over the $145.5 million reported the previous year. This percentage increase ranked third among the 503 institutions.

The major reason for the growth was the $50 million gift from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation to what was later renamed the Sam M. Walton College of Business Administration. Of that sum, $48.2 million was invested in the endowment.

"It is encouraging to find the size of the University of Arkansas’ endowment comparing more favorably with endowments at the nation’s best public and private universities, but our work is just beginning," said Chancellor John A. White. " Raising private gift support is one of our five major goals. It is vital to providing the means that will enable us to recruit top faculty and students and enhance academic programs and facilities, so that we can emerge as the nationally competitive, student-centered research university Arkansas needs and deserves.

"We are grateful to the Walton family and to all of our other benefactors across the state and nation who are stepping forward in their philanthropy," he added. "To have moved forward 39 places in one year is an impressive jump for any university to make, and it is our supporters who made it happen."

Among the 12 universities in the Southeastern Conference, the University of Arkansas’ endowment ranked 10^th. The U of A moved up from 11^th place last year by surpassing Mississippi State.

The endowment rankings of SEC institutions, as of June 30, 1999:

1. Vanderbilt University$1.8 billion, up 19 percent.
2. University of Florida Foundation, $601.8 million, up 19.8 percent.
3. University of Alabama System, $541.7 million, up 0.2 percent.
4. University of Tennessee System, $378.1 million, up 12.8 percent.
5. University of Georgia and Foundation, $334.5 million, up13.9 percent.
6. University of Kentucky, $327.6 million, up 50.7 percent.
7. University of South Carolina System, $253.8 million, up 15.7 percent.
8. Auburn University and Foundation, $233 million, up 7.6 percent.
9. University of Mississippi and Foundation, $231 million, up 13 percent.
10. University of Arkansas and Foundation, $222.8 million, up 53.1 percent.
11. Louisiana State University System, $187.2 million, up 29.8 percent.
12. Mississippi State University and Foundation, $160.4 million, up 6.1 percent.