Walker Foundation Commits Additional Gift to Help Campaign Reach Challenge

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation — an organization that has made several gifts to the University of Arkansas Campaign for the Twenty-First Century — will provide an additional $515,000 to create a scholarship fund honoring the Walker family matriarch, Pat Walker.

Debbie Walker, executive director of the Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation, said this new gift was motivated by Pat Walker’s desire to help the University of Arkansas reach the $300 Million Challenge, the effort within the overall Campaign for the Twenty-First Century to match a $300 million gift.

The Pat Walker Endowed Scholarship Fund will create the following scholarships:

Pat Walker Honors College Academy Scholarships — $240,000 will support honors college scholarships for entering freshmen with preference given to University Bands members. The scholarships will be available for the duration of the student’s college career provided academic eligibility is maintained. This portion of the gift will receive matching funds through the Matching Gift Program to create a $480,000 scholarship endowment.

Pat Walker Honors College Fellowships — $125,000 will establish an Honors College Fellowship fund. This gift will be matched by $125,000 from the Matching Gift Program to create a $250,000 endowment to benefit an Honors College fellow with preference given to a University Bands member.

Pat Walker Lady Razorback Endowed Scholarship in Gymnastics — $150,000 of the gift will create a scholarship endowment to benefit one Lady Razorback gymnast each year, covering tuition, fees and books.

“Words cannot adequately convey the gratitude we feel for Pat Walker, the entire Walker family, and the Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation for their extraordinary generosity,” UA Chancellor John A. White said. “They continue making a difference at the University of Arkansas and throughout the State of Arkansas. Their philanthropic support on our campus has included health care, academics, and athletics. To that list we now add expanded student support. We are most fortunate to count Pat, Johnny Mike and Debbie Walker among our most loyal and special friends. The Walkers have been instrumental in moving the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century forward and, through this recent gift, have given us a significant push in the direction of meeting the $300 Million Challenge. Their philanthropy is helping this institution emerge as a nationally competitive, student-centered research university serving Arkansas and the world.”

Bev Lewis, director of Women’s Athletics, said: “We are thankful that Pat chose to include our gymnastics program in her generous support of the University. Pat has always expressed a special concern for the needs of student-athletes, and has a special place in her heart for the Gym’Backs. The Walker family gift is important for the future of our program.”

Lewis Epley, chair of the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century University/Razorback Bands committee said: “This outstanding support from the Walker Charitable Support Foundation will go a long way toward strengthening the band scholarship programs. These students who volunteer countless hours and their considerable talents as musical ambassadors fore various venues need scholarship support to help them obtain a quality education. The committee appreciates the foundation and the Walker family for their recognition of this need and generous support.”

Willard Walker was the first manager of Sam Walton’s Five and Dime on the Fayetteville Square. He retired from Wal-Mart in 1972. He was active in the northwest Arkansas community over the years holding leadership positions in a number of civic and professional organizations, including the Springdale Chamber of Commerce, the Springdale Public Library and the Salvation Army.

Pat Walker has been honored for her philanthropic work by organizations across the state and recognized as one of Arkansas’ most distinguished women. The Springdale High School Performing Arts Center was named for her in 1996.

As longtime philanthropists in Arkansas, Pat and her late husband, Willard Walker, have been recognized together for many of their efforts. The Walkers were presented the Distinguished Service Award in 1997 by the Razorback Foundation. They received the Chancellor’s Award at University of Arkansas Medical Sciences for their strong support of the Arkansas Cancer Research Center. They were UA Chancellor’s Medal recipients in 2001 and are members of the Towers of Old Main.

Johnny Mike Walker, the Walker’s son, is a 1978 alumnus of the University of Arkansas. Debbie Walker, the Walker’s daughter-in-law who also attended the university, serves on the University of Arkansas Campaign for the Twenty-First Century Steering Committee and the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century Women in Philanthropy Committee, and is a member of the Women’s Giving Circle. They are members of the Towers of Old Main.

The Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation has made previous gifts to the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century including a $3 million gift to build the Pat Walker Health Center and an $8 million gift toward the construction of Willard J. Walker Graduate Business Building. The Foundation has also supported the Razorback Foundation Inc., a private entity that supports men’s athletics, including funds designated toward the Baum Stadium and the Willard and Pat Walker Pavilion, an indoor football practice facility.

The $300 Million Challenge total stands at $273 million and the overall Campaign total stands at $895 million as of March 31, 2005.