Sanders Bequest Benefits Bumpers College and Fulbright College

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Relatives of Maudine Sanders toured the culinary kitchen teaching laboratory in the School of Human Environmental Sciences funded by part of her bequest to the University of Arkansas. Pictured are, from left, Dean Michael E. Vayda, Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences; Beverly Charleton; Robert Harrington, coordinator of the foods, human nutrition and hospitality major; Wilma and Carol Sutton; Linda Hogg; Brooke Johnston and Jorja Johnston.

A "Day of Recognition" for the Maudine Sanders legacy at the University of Arkansas Wed., March 7, celebrated the impact of Sanders' bequest of $1.15 million to support degree programs in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural Food and Life Sciences and the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. Sanders died March 18, 2011, at the age of 87.

The bequest includes $900,000 for renovations and upgrades to three projects in the Home Economics Building. A culinary kitchen teaching laboratory renovated in 2011 and the planned Maudine Sanders Commons dining and entertainment area support the fast-growing foods, human nutrition and hospitality major. A renovated classroom will become the Maudine Sanders Apparel Technology Laboratory with state-of-the-art equipment for teaching, research and interaction with industry professionals.

“Mrs. Sanders’ passion was rooted in time spent as a student in the Home Economics Building,” said Bumpers College Dean Michael Vayda. “This project reflects her passion by providing today’s students with a quality learning environment. She loved this university, she loved this program and she loved this building.”

The journalism department in Fulbright College received $250,000 for the Maudine and T.C. Sanders Endowment for Journalism Excellence. The couple had previously funded a journalism teaching laboratory.

“The Sanders Endowment enriches our students’ education,” said Fulbright College Dean Robin Roberts. “It allows them to travel to journalism and media conferences, giving them the opportunity to learn from journalism professionals from around the world.”

A native of Stoney Point, Ark., near Springdale, Maudine Farish received a bachelor's degree in home economics in 1946 from the University of Arkansas. She managed a family canning business before joining the Springdale News staff in 1948. She bought an interest in the newspaper and Springdale Publishing Company in 1955. She and T.C. Sanders, also part owner of the publishing company, were married in 1960.

Family members and friends on hand for the observance included Wilma and Carol Sutton of Springfield, Mo.; Beverly Charleton, Brooke Johnston and Jorja Johnston, all of Springdale; Linda Hogg of Montana; and Jeff Jeffus, president of Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC.