Engineering Dean Makes $100,000 Gift for Industrial, Electrical Engineering Departments

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John and Elizabeth English.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – John English, dean of the College of Engineering, and his wife, Elizabeth, are establishing two scholarships at the University of Arkansas with a $100,000 gift. The departments of industrial engineering and electrical engineering will both benefit from the contribution.

“It is always uplifting to see our faculty and staff give back financially, because it shows how dedicated they are to the university and its success,” said Chancellor G. David Gearhart. “I applaud Dean English and his wife for leading by example with this gift and supporting our students with these scholarships. His past and present connections to the College of Engineering will be appropriately honored with this contribution and benefit generations of future engineers.”

The Nancy Carolyn English Endowed Scholarship in Electrical Engineering and Sara English Crismon Endowed Scholarship in Industrial Engineering are each being established with $50,000 endowments and will allow their respective departments to attract and retain academically qualified students.

Provost Sharon Gaber said, “Deans and faculty members who give back to the university are making a strong statement. Dean English is personally invested in the success of his college and their students and demonstrates that through this gift. He has done a remarkable job since coming back to the University of Arkansas in July.”

English, who has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a master’s degree in operations research from the university, also has a doctorate in industrial engineering and management from Oklahoma State University. Prior to his appointment as the ninth dean of the College of Engineering, he served as dean of the College of Engineering at Kansas State University.

“I am encouraged to see that so many of our alumni recognize the importance of a student’s academic experience and have chosen to establish scholarship funds for their benefit,” said English. “Truly, a student’s time at the University of Arkansas is greatly impacted by the amount of private gift support they receive and can make a difference in their lives well past graduation. My wife and I decided that, as representatives of the University of Arkansas and College of Engineering, it was only fitting that we support our students as our donors do. It is important to us that the university and its benefactors understand that, as a dean, I am fully committed to the university and the education we are offering our students.”

English and his wife are life members of the Arkansas Alumni Association, will be inducted into the Towers of Old Main and are members of the Heritage Society, a prestigious group for donors who have chosen to leave a legacy at the University of Arkansas through a planned gift.