FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Greenway Equipment, Inc. of Weiner, is contributing $250,000 to the University of Arkansas to benefit students in the Sam M. Walton College of Business and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences. Their gift will directly impact the university’s ability to reaffirm its land-grant and flagship responsibilities while advancing student success.

The Greenway Leadership in Business Scholarship Fund will be established with $100,000 and benefit two Fleischer Spirit Scholars in the Walton College. The Fleischer Spirit Scholarship Program was established by Morton H. Fleischer, co-founder and chair of STORE Capital Corp. (NYSE:STOR), to reach low-income, first-generation college students living in Arkansas who are interested in pursuing degrees in business.

Another $25,000 will be allocated to the Greenway East Arkansas Excellence Fund to provide support for talented students from east Arkansas in the areas of recruiting, retention, programming, admissions, financial aid counseling and relationship building in the Walton College.

Walton College students to benefit from Greenway gift

“This generous gift from Greenway Equipment will allow us to attract and support outstanding students from eastern Arkansas as they pursue an education at the Walton College and to make sure more students can enjoy the many benefits of the Fleischer Scholars program,” said Matt Waller, dean of the Walton College. “Helping the best and brightest students from all over Arkansas to maximize their potential through education remains a priority for our college and the entire university.”

The Greenway Agricultural Leadership Scholarship will be created with the remaining $125,000 and will benefit two Bumpers College undergraduate students per academic year for up to five years. Preference will be given to those majoring in agricultural education or communications and technology with a concentration in agricultural leadership.

Bumpers agriculture tech students will get support from Greenway gift

“Bumpers College is thrilled to add the Greenway Agricultural Leadership Scholarship to the list of scholarships available to our students,” said Lona Robertson, interim dean of the Bumpers College. “We are constantly looking for opportunities to assist students in becoming future leaders in agriculture. I want to thank Marshall Stewart for his support and service to Bumpers College.  His vision and leadership on the Dean’s Executive Advisory Board is invaluable, and students will benefit from this gift for years to come.”

Stewart, who is president of Greenway Equipment, along with alumnus John L. Conner, Jr. of Newport, were catalysts for the company’s investment, because both have a passion for recruiting students from east Arkansas to attend the U of A.

“It’s very important to us that talented students from eastern Arkansas have the opportunity to attend the state’s flagship,” said Stewart. “John and I have both seen the tremendous impact the University of Arkansas can have on students and their career outcomes.”

Stewart serves on the Bumpers College Dean’s Executive Advisory Board. His son, Carson, is a student at the university, and his daughter, Maddison, is a 2015 graduate of Bumpers College. 

Conner holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Walton College and is president of Holden-Conner Company. He is a life member of the Arkansas Alumni Association and is a member of the Walton College Campaign Arkansas committee and Dean’s Executive Advisory Board. He and his wife, Andrea, are also included in the Towers of Old Main, the giving society for the university’s most generous benefactors. 

About Campaign Arkansas: Campaign Arkansas is the ongoing capital campaign for the University of Arkansas to raise private gift support for the university’s academic mission and other key priorities. The campaign’s goal is to raise $1 billion to support academic and need-based scholarships, technology enhancements, new and renovated facilities, undergraduate, graduate and faculty research, study abroad opportunities and other innovative programs. The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in a wide spectrum of disciplines as it works to fulfill its public land-grant mission to serve Arkansas and beyond as a partner, resource and catalyst.

About the Sam M. Walton College of Business: The Sam M. Walton College of Business is a nationally and internationally recognized leader in business education and research. Since its founding at the University of Arkansas in 1926, the Walton College has grown to become the state's premier college of business – as well as a nationally competitive business school. The Walton College is ranked 26th among public business colleges by U.S. News & World Report, which ranks the supply chain management/logistics specialty 14th among public business colleges.

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture.

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.