McMaths Commit $100,000 to Fund New Scholarship for Underrepresented Student Populations

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Linda and Bob McMath and honors students enjoy the new Honors Student Lounge in Ozark Hall. Photo by Stephen Ironside.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Honors College Dean Bob McMath and his wife Linda have made a $100,000 commitment to expand access to higher education in Arkansas. They have pledged $50,000 to endow a scholarship for students enrolled in the Path Program, a new Honors College initiative that helps talented high school students from underrepresented populations become fully engaged and successful students at the University of Arkansas. The McMaths are challenging others to participate, with a goal of matching the initial $50,000 gift in three years’ time. The McMaths have also pledged an estate gift of $50,000 to support Path Scholarships.

“It’s a compelling program that addresses the need to identify, recruit and mentor students who might not even have thought about coming to the University of Arkansas,” Dean McMath said. “Linda and I are investing in these students’ lives, and we look forward to others joining us in that investment.”

The McMaths have long planned to make a need-based scholarship gift to the Honors College. When Honors College assistant dean Maribeth Lynes developed the idea of a Path Program that would mentor students from underrepresented populations, they knew they had found the program they wanted to support.

“Maribeth has been recruiting college students for more than 30 years,” McMath said. “She’s passionate about identifying students who might not have thought they could afford a university education, and this new Path Program will help them come to campus and succeed here.”

The Honors College recruiting team, led by Lynes, is working with high school counselors throughout Arkansas to identify talented students, who must be nominated by a teacher or counselor to participate. Once here on campus, these students will be paired with peer and professional mentors who will help them explore opportunities to secure scholarships and financial aid, get involved in campus leadership, conduct undergraduate research and study abroad .

“We want to help these students make the most of their college experience and meet their academic goals, including graduation with honors from the University of Arkansas,” Maribeth Lynes said. “I’m thrilled that the McMaths have stepped up to support the Path Program.” For more information on the Path Program, visit honorscollege.uark.edu/path.

The McMaths hope that their challenge gift will inspire honors students and alumni to think about giving back, at whatever level they can afford, to the University of Arkansas Honors College.

Bob McMath will retire this year on Aug. 1. Faculty and staff who wish to honor McMath’s service as the first dean of the Honors College are also encouraged to participate in the challenge. For more information on the McMath Challenge Gift visit honorscollege.uark.edu/McMath_Challenge.