Fowlers Pledge $2.93 Million for Phase Two of Chancellor's Residence

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An architectural rendering from Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects of the proposed Fowler House Garden and Conservatory addition.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Wallace W. and Jama M. Fowler House, the chancellor’s residence on the University of Arkansas campus, will soon be able to expand its capacity for hospitality thanks to an additional gift from its namesakes.

Wallace and Jama Fowler of Jonesboro have pledged $2.93 million for the second construction phase of the residence – the Fowler House Garden and Conservatory. The project is subject to approval by the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees. Chancellor G. David Gearhart and his wife, Jane, are the house’s current residents.

“Jane and I have been honored to live in Fowler House for the last six years,” Gearhart said. “It has been an incredible residence and superb venue for hosting dignitaries and events. The Fowler House Garden and Conservatory, which was included as phase two in the original plans, will be a beautiful addition to the house and our campus as a whole. The Fowler name has become synonymous with philanthropy in Arkansas, and they have been wonderful friends of the university. The Fowler House Garden and Conservatory will give us the opportunity to showcase their generosity even more.”

Completed in 2008, Fowler House not only serves as the primary residence for the University of Arkansas chancellor but also functions as a campus resource, used to host students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends in a variety of campus celebrations.

Prior to its completion, the university lacked a suitable on-campus location for certain special events or for hosting dignitaries and heads of state. In the last six years, Fowler House has become known as the “campus living room,” by allowing the university to further extend its hospitality in a comfortable and beautiful location designed to make guests feel especially welcome. Since its completion, the house has held more than 800 events, with more than 17,000 guests in attendance. Significant dignitaries have included former President Bill Clinton, former Panama President Ricardo Martinelli and several presidential cabinet members, U.S. senators and governors.

“We have greatly enjoyed seeing how the University of Arkansas has utilized this space over the years,” said Wallace Fowler. “We understood the importance of the chancellor’s residence when we made the initial gift, but it has been very meaningful to see how this home has become a focal point for hospitality, celebrations and significant events.”

“Our hope is that this addition will bring Fowler House to a new level and give the university even more variety in the types of events that can be offered to alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends,” said Jama Fowler.

The Garden and Conservatory will be a separate structure designed to hold large seated dinners and receptions, meetings and other events and will have a seated dinner capacity of 120 people, as well as a 300-square-foot catering kitchen.

Polk Stanley Wilcox is designing the proposed addition. A construction bid has not been awarded and a groundbreaking date has not been set, but is expected for fall 2015 with a projected completion of August 2016. In addition, funds will be used for the surrounding grounds to create a garden area for large events where more than 250 people could be seated under a tent for dinners or more than 500 could attend a tailgate or reception. The gift will also allow for flower beds, planting of trees and improvement of the general aesthetics of the space in front of the house facing Razorback Road.

The Fowlers have supported the University of Arkansas extensively over the years with their philanthropic efforts. In addition to their 2005 gift to construct Fowler House, they also made a $1 million gift in 2011 to name the Don and Ellen Edmondson Legacy Studio in Vol Walker Hall and recently gave $2.5 million for the Fowler Family Baseball and Track Training Center. In 2013, they received the Chancellor’s Medal at the Towers of Old Main celebration, in recognition for their outstanding leadership and commitment to higher education at the University of Arkansas. The Fowlers serve in volunteer roles for Campaign Arkansas, an eight-year fundraising effort currently in the planning stage.