Fleischer Scholars Experience Entrepreneurship and College Life

Ryan C. Versey

High school students from Arkansas participated in the Fleischer Scholars summer camp program to learn about entrepreneurship, business courses and college life at Walton College.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Thirty-three high school juniors and seniors participated in the Fleischer Scholars summer camp program July 10-15 to learn about entrepreneurship at the Sam M. Walton College of Business. The camp is hosted by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and introduces first generation, low income and underrepresented students to college life, business classes and entrepreneurship.

Program sponsor Mort Fleischer, the co-founder and chair of STORE Capital Corp. (NYSE: STOR), has a long reaching vision for the program. His goal is to assist economically disadvantaged students graduate from college and encourage them to invest their time and talent back into to their hometown communities upon graduation. Fleischer calls this the "multiplier effect" and hopes that these future leaders will serve as role models for their community.

"Walton College is proud to partner with Mort Fleischer on this life-changing program for Arkansas students," Barbara Lofton, director, Office of Diversity and Inclusion for Walton College. "We want to give these students the ongoing support they need to stay in college, get jobs and serve their communities. There is no limit on what these young people can do."

Four Arkansas banks - Signature Bank, Bank of England, Citizens Bank and First Arkansas Bank and Trust - have committed to fund $50,000 scholarships to pay for the summer camp program and four years base tuition. The banks will also provide local internships once students become juniors and seniors at the University of Arkansas.

To qualify for the college scholarship, students must be admitted to the University of Arkansas, enroll full time, demonstrate leadership and commit to back to their local community through service. To quality for the summer camp program, students must be the first in their family to attend college, be economically disadvantaged, hold high college entrance test scores, are able to overcome challenges and have the drive to complete college.