FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The children of Zero Mountain employees will have an opportunity to receive University of Arkansas scholarships, thanks to an annual gift commitment of $25,000 a year for ten years to build an endowed scholarship fund in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.

Zero Mountain, established in Johnson, in 1955 and now based in Fort Smith, is one of the nation’s largest independent suppliers of cold storage and distribution services for the poultry industry, handling in excess of two billion pounds annually. Zero Mountain’s gift is valued at $125,000 over the next five years alone.

The Joseph F. Rumsey III Endowed Scholarship Fund, named in honor of Zero Mountain’s founder, will provide financial assistance to qualified undergraduate students with financial need who exemplify high standards, demonstrate leadership abilities and have enthusiasm for learning. The University will be able to offer the scholarship to students wishing to pursue a degree in the Bumpers College beginning in 2003. Although preference will be given to children of employees of Zero Mountain, Inc., who qualify for UA admission, other qualified students will be considered.

UA Chancellor John A. White said, "We are extremely grateful to Zero Mountain, Inc. for this generous gift to establish scholarships for students with financial need. The ability to provide financial assistance for qualified students who do not have the resources to help pay for their education is a critical need of ours. Thanks to this gift, more students will have the opportunity to attend the University of Arkansas. This will enhace our ability to realize our vision of a nationally competitive student-centered research university serving Arkansas and the world. "This is an example of how corporate partnerships may be established to create a mutual benefit for the corporation and for the University of Arkansas," White continued. "This scholarship fund will be a valuable tool for us as we continue to seek ways to improve student recruitment and retention. By establishing this scholarship, Zero Mountain is sending a message to their employees that they care about the education of their children by creating a valuable benefit of employment."

Bumpers College Dean Greg Weidemann said, "Forming relationships with corporate partners is a key to our success. We are grateful to Zero Mountain for providing this much-needed source of scholarships for deserving students who might not otherwise be able to afford a university education."

Debbie Kraus, Zero Mountain developing projects coordinator, said, "The Rumseys have always believed in giving back to the community. Their success came from the community’s support and so for them, it’s important to have a commitment to and continue to build relationships with the community. Mark Rumsey has helped build the community through financial resources and through use of his time and encourages Zero Mountain’s employees to do the same. By creating a better community, you have better employees, and do better as a company.

"The establishment of this scholarship will be seen as a huge bonus for the children of Zero Mountain’s employees. It will encourage them to explore the profession that their parents are in — agricultural, food and life sciences — and perhaps promote generation-to-generation of Zero Mountain employees."

Zero Mountain employs 270 people at its four facilities, in Lowell, Johnson, Fort Smith and Russellville.

Joseph Rumsey III, attended University of California, Berkeley, and graduated in 1945 with a degree in economics.