Walker Foundation Creates Merlin and Beverly Augustine Endowed Scholarship

Photo by Whit Pruitt

Honors College Path Program graduates.

The Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation recently established the Merlin and Beverly Augustine Endowed Scholarship Fund. The $200,000 gift furthers the foundation’s commitment to students and educational access. The endowment will provide financial support to students from southeast Arkansas and Louisiana within select counties who exhibit financial need.

The scholarship supports students entering the university as part of the Honors College Path Program. The scholarship celebrates the Augustine family roots in southeast Arkansas and Louisiana and embodies the generational legacy of service to the community. 

“Dr. and Mrs. Augustine have made it their life’s work to help those in need and touch thousands of lives through the M&N Augustine Foundation,” said Mandy Macke, executive director of The Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation. “This endowment pays tribute to their unrelenting service and demonstrates our shared commitment and belief in supporting students.”

Merlin and Beverly Augustine

“The Walker Foundation continues to be a key partner in increasing access to programs and resources that are critical to student success,” said Scott Varady, vice chancellor for advancement. “The Merlin and Beverly Augustine Endowed Scholarship Fund dramatically improves access to life-changing opportunities for our students.”

Thirty-one years ago in Marksville, Louisiana, Merlin Augustine, with his sisters, established the M&N Augustine Foundation to honor their parents, the foundation’s namesakes, Merlin Sr. and Nora. The foundation exists to elevate community members experiencing difficult circumstances through education and financial and social assistance.

“Mandy Macke has been a continuous supporter of the M&N Augustine Foundation, and the Walker family has been extraordinarily kind,” said Dr. Augustine. “We are honored by this because we deal with a lot of people who just need a little help to get through college. Fayetteville is a very generous place with a lot of warm-hearted people.”

The Honors College Path Program was established in 2014 to prepare exceptional high school students from underrepresented populations for success at the U of A. Each student is assigned a peer and professional mentor to help promote academic success, inspire leadership and encourage students to join the Honors College, where they have access to resources for study abroad, undergraduate research and internships. 

“The Merlin and Beverly Augustine Endowed Scholarship Fund helps us realize our land-grant mission with its drive to create access for more students from all corners of the state of Arkansas,” said Lynda Coon, dean of the Honors College. “Additionally, the scholarship encompasses our commitment to the academic success of top students from neighboring states. We are grateful for the partnership from the Walker Foundation in this work.” 

The scholarships will improve enrollment, retention and graduation outcomes of students at the U of A. 

“Bridging the gap between financial aid and tuition costs is crucial for ensuring that financial concerns do not prevent deserving students from pursuing their dreams,” said Chancellor Charles Robinson. “We are deeply grateful to the Walker Foundation for supporting our efforts to break down financial barriers and increase educational access.”

Merlin Augustine earned a Doctor of Education from the U of A in 1982. He is the retired vice chancellor for finance and administration at the U of A and dedicated 40 years to higher education at the U of A and the University of Central Arkansas. Dr. Augustine was awarded the Black Alumni Society's Lonnie R. Williams Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.

Mrs. Augustine earned a Master of Education from the U of A in 1986. She is a retired educator and spent over 35 years in the Conway and Fayetteville school districts.

The Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation was created in 1986 by Willard and Pat Walker. Since its inception, the foundation has partnered with hundreds of organizations. The Walkers’ legacy of generosity has touched the lives of thousands, and their impact on the U of A has been tremendous. 

Honors College Path Scholars in the courtyard of Gearhart Hall. (Photo by Jaylan Brown, Path Scholar)

About University Advancement: University Advancement advances the mission of the University of Arkansas by raising private gift support from alumni, friends, parents, foundations, corporations, and other institutional supporters. Working in philanthropic partnership with academic leaders and volunteers, Advancement team members are determined to advance the people, work, and impact of the greater whole at the University of Arkansas.

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