Gift Memorializes Brother's Love for Education, Finance

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Phillip Pond and his daughter show true Razorback spirit at her wedding.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – University of Arkansas alumnus Kirk Pond and his wife, Nancy St. John Pond, of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, have established a need-based scholarship in memory of Kirk’s late brother, C. Phillip Pond. The $100,000 gift from the couple creates the C. Phillip Pond Endowed Scholarship Fund to benefit students in the Sam M. Walton College of Business.

Originally from Stuttgart, Phillip Pond attended both the University of Arkansas and Westminster College in Missouri before graduating from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Pond’s family owned a clothing store in Stuttgart, and he worked there after graduation until the store was sold. He then began a career as a cost accountant with Lennox Industries and eventually settled in the Atlanta area.

Professionally, Pond greatly enjoyed following the stock market and loved working in finance. That love often overflowed into his personal life when he found himself counseling neighbors and friends on how to manage their finances – something his wife, Beverly, said was very important to him.

A father to two daughters and grandfather to three grandchildren, Phillip Pond was also involved with his church and family. He passed away in September.

Pond was an avid supporter of the Razorbacks.  His wife recalls him wearing a pig nose to his daughter’s wedding reception and noted that his friends and family wore red to his funeral.

“Phillip would be so touched and so humbled that his brother wanted to do this in honor of him,” Beverly said. “Family and education were important to him. He would be thrilled to know this scholarship could make such an impact on someone who might not otherwise have the opportunity to get an education. He was all about helping people.”

The C. Phillip Pond Endowed Scholarship Fund will provide need-based scholarships to students who achieve the academic distinction of a 3.0 grade point average or above, demonstrate financial need and major in an academic department within Walton College. The recipient may renew it for up to four years, while maintaining a 3.0 GPA or better.

“Kirk and Nancy are great friends and benefactors of the University of Arkansas and they demonstrate how much they value education through this investment in student support,” said Kellie Knight, senior director of development for campaign priorities. “They see the big picture of where our world can be in the future through increased graduation rates and a skilled workforce. This wonderful tribute to Kirk’s brother in the Walton College is just another example of their continued commitment to making a difference in the lives of future generations by creating a legacy through education.”

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.