A visit to a College of Engineering outreach event led to an unorthodox birthday gift for one U of A alumna — a legacy.

The Wm. Kent McAllister Scholarship in Chemical Engineering will provide $2,000 annually to support undergraduate chemical engineering students.

Sara McAllister, Kent's wife, who is also an Arkansas alumnus, worked with university fundraising officials and the family's financial planner to set up the gift as a surprise for Kent's 55th birthday in March.

Kent is a graduate of the College of Engineering and serves on the Dean's Advisory Council for the College. He is also a member of the Arkansas Academy of Chemical Engineers.

The decision to give was motivated by a few key factors, Sara said. Both are graduates of the University of Arkansas and Fayetteville High School, but she said it was a moment during a visit to campus that cemented the idea.

Sara said an experience during the College of Engineering Dean's Advisory Council was a motivating factor in her decision to give.

Members of the Engineering Dean's Advisory Council were in Fayetteville in October 2018 for the twice-annual meeting. The meeting focused on the college's outreach efforts, and Sara had a chance to participate in an outreach event in a local school.

"The guests went to a local school and taught fifth graders about closed circuits by making a fun Halloween card with watch batteries and mini light bulbs that light up," she said. "This activity was so fun with the kids. I taught hands on labs such as this one in Texas for years.   I truly see the influence that teaching science with hands on activities makes science concepts easier and less intimidating for children.

McAllister also heard from U of A students who had participated in the programs as children.

"They told us about how attending the engineering camps led them to choose engineering for their major. That was the deciding moment for me to give the scholarship because I saw the impact that the College of Engineering made in the schools with this program and with the engineering camps."

The hardest part was keeping the whole thing a secret, McAllister said.

"I must confess that I didn't make it to his birthday in March," she said. "I told him on Valentine's Day. We had just had a lovely dinner.   I gave him a card and told him that I was giving him something that would last forever.  I told him I had already worked out the details, which is key for engineers, regarding a scholarship in his name at the College of Engineering.  I didn't want to wait until long after we are both gone to do this."

Kent said the gift was a total surprise.

"I was completely shocked and touched that Sara was so proud of what I had done in my engineering career and wanted to create a legacy in my name to support students who might not have the opportunity to become an engineer without financial support," he said. "I had tears of joy and love that she had done this for me."

Sara said the gift was a chance to support the institution that helped set Kent on a path to success.

"This is one way of giving back to the College of Engineering that gave him such a strong education foundation for his first career as a Naval officer on a submarine, and his current career in the oil and gas industry," she said.

Kent said the opportunity to reconnect with his alma mater has been a journey he won't forget.

"It has been such a great experience to get reconnected with the University and Department of Chemical Engineering over the last decade," he said. "Each step, from speaking at an American Institute of Chemical Engineers banquet, to being in the Arkansas Academy of Chemical Engineers, to supporting the College of Engineering through the Dean's Advisory Council has brought me back to our purpose of educating young adults. It is important to provide educational opportunities to the next generation, so they can grow and improve our world through the benefits that engineering brings to society. 

"My engineering degree provided me with the background and opportunity to grow my career from driving nuclear submarines to leading an offshore engineering organization.  It's up to us to provide the next generation, who will take the lead in the world's future, with the opportunity and means to attain their dreams through higher education."