Fowler Gift of $1 Million Surprises Friends with Named Space on Campus

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Ellen and Don Edmondson with Jama and Wallace Fowler

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Don and Ellen Edmondson of Forrest City joined close friends for a dinner on Nov. 3 at the Wallace W. and Jama M. Fowler House, the University of Arkansas chancellor’s residence. The namesakes of the residence, Wallace and Jama Fowler, were also at the dinner, but they had more than dinner planned for the evening.

The Fowlers, of Jonesboro, announced that they have committed $1 million to name the Don and Ellen Edmondson Legacy Studio in Vol Walker Hall, which is currently undergoing a major renovation and addition. Vol Walker Hall is home to the Fay Jones School of Architecture.

“Don and I have had a wonderful relationship — personal and business — for some 35 years,” said Wallace Fowler, “and never a cross word. That’s something you don’t see very often. The Edmondsons are wonderful people, and we think the world of them. The idea for this gift was presented to us, and we thought it was a wonderful way to recognize our friendship and their support of the university. We were fortunate to be able to make this type of commitment.”

In 2008, the Edmondsons made a gift of $10 million to name the Fay Jones School of Architecture to honor the late architect and University of Arkansas professor E. Fay Jones, who was also a dear friend. Over the years, the couple has also funded the E. Fay Jones Architecture Chair and the Maurice Jennings International Experience Endowment to honor Jones’ longtime business partner. Don Edmondson chaired the School of Architecture’s Campaign Committee and also served on the University of Arkansas Campaign for the Twenty-First Century Committee. He currently serves on the University of Arkansas Board of Advisors.

“Our appreciation for this gift encompasses the love and affection we have for the university and the love and affection we have for Wallace and Jama,” said Don Edmondson (B.S.B.A. 1958). “It’s very seldom that two people get into business together, become friends and it all turns out okay. Other than Senior Walk, my name has never been on anything on the campus, and this is just a lovely way to cap things off between two friends who just happened to be in business together. Ellen and I were both terribly touched. I choke up just thinking about it.”

 “Don and Ellen have done so much to transform the University of Arkansas, particularly through the architecture school,” said Chancellor G. David Gearhart. “They give of their time and their resources, and they never expect recognition. This generous and immeasurably thoughtful gift from Wallace and Jama is a perfect way to pay tribute to the Edmondsons while, at the same time, enhance one of our most historical buildings on campus. Experiencing this surprise announcement with two couples I strongly admire and appreciate is something I’ll always remember.”

Wallace Fowler attended the University of Arkansas and is chairman and chief executive officer of Liberty Bank of Arkansas as well as chairman of Fowler Foods Inc. He was a member of the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century Steering Committee and a member of the Leadership and Principal Gifts Committee. In addition to their gift of $1.75 million in 2005 toward the chancellor’s residence at the University of Arkansas, examples of the Fowlers’ wide-ranging giving to civic and social causes throughout Arkansas include the Fowler Center, a multipurpose community center at Arkansas State University, and their support of the Arkansas State University Museum. They are members of the University of Arkansas Chancellor’s Society and the Towers of Old Main.