Chris and Jamie Fowler contributed $5 million toward the Land of Opportunity Scholarship endowment at the University of Arkansas. With their gift, the Fowlers joined the Leaders of Arkansas Founders’ Circle. The Founders’ Circle consists of a group of university alumni and friends who support the Land of Opportunity Scholarship campaign with a gift of at least $1 million.

The Land of Opportunity Scholarship was established to improve educational access for students from all 75 counties in Arkansas, create a partnership between the university and businesses throughout the state, and fulfill the institution’s land-grant mission to uplift Arkansas. The three-year campaign launched on November 12, 2024.

“The Fowler Family’s generosity has shaped our campus in countless ways,” said Chancellor Charles Robinson. “With their support of the Land of Opportunity Scholarship, Chris and Jamie are continuing that incredible legacy — providing deserving students with the resources they need to succeed and making a lasting impact on our institution and our state.”

"We are truly grateful for this momentous gift to the Land of Opportunity Scholarship that will propel transformational change for generations of Arkansans,” said Scott Varady, vice chancellor for advancement. “As members of the Leaders of Arkansas Founders' Circle of the Land of Opportunity Scholarship, Chris and Jamie continue to build upon their legacy of support and passion for advancing the educational mission of the university and directly impacting the lives of Arkansas students just as Chris’ late parents, Wallace and Jama Fowler, have."

The Fowler family has made a profound and enduring impact at the University of Arkansas. The Wallace W. and Jama M. Fowler House — the Chancellor’s official residence — and the adjacent Fowler House Garden and Conservatory all bear the Fowler name. Chris and Jamie Fowler contributed $500,000 to the David W. Mullins Library renovation which will include a new café, aptly named Fowler’s Nook. The renovation is scheduled for completion in March 2025.

The Fowlers have also demonstrated their generosity through support of Razorback Athletics and the Razorback Foundation. Gifts to the athletic department include support for the Fowler Family Baseball and Track Training Center, the Christy Rankin Tennis Lobby, and the Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium Renovation and Expansion.

“From the brand new Fowler Family Nook in Mullins Library to the Christy Rankin Lobby in the Dills Indoor Tennis Center to the official residence of the Chancellor, the Wallace W. and Jama M. Fowler House and the Fowler House Garden and Conservatory as well as other campus facilities, the impact of Chris and Jamie to improve the lives of students and the university can be seen everywhere on campus,” Varady added. “We are deeply grateful for their extraordinary contributions."

The Fowler’s legacy extends beyond the U of A campus. The family generously commits their time and resources to many organizations and causes from Arkansas to Florida. Chris and his family support the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute and the NEA Baptist Fowler Family Cancer Center for Cancer Care. Additionally, Arkansas State University-Newport, the University of Central Arkansas Nursing School, Arkansas Hands & Voices and Arkansas Children’s Foundation have all benefited from the Fowler’s generosity.

Recent gifts from Chris and Jamie made possible the NEA Baptist Mobile Health Unit, the NEA Center for Good Grief and the NEA Baptist Charitable Foundation HopeCircle, which provides free support for families navigating cancer care.

Chris Fowler served as president of Fowler Foods from 1987 until his retirement in 2021. His first job, at age 13, was as a cook at a KFC operated by Fowler Foods, Inc. Chris worked his way to assistant manager before moving to the company’s headquarters to focus on remodeling projects and training employees. At its peak, Fowler Foods operated more than 90 KFC/Taco Bell stores in eight states. The Jonesboro business was started in 1965 by Jama and Wallace Fowler.

Chris and Jamie Fowler are Towers of Old Main and members of the Chancellor’s Society. In 2014, Chris served on the Campaign Arkansas Steering Committee. He was named to AY Magazine’s Men of Distinction in 2021 and was honored as an AMP Influencer of the Year by Arkansas Money & Politics in 2024.

About the Land of Opportunity Scholarship: The Land of Opportunity Scholarship campaign is a three-year initiative to further educational access opportunities for students from all 75 counties in Arkansas, improve graduation rates, create two-way engagement between the university and businesses throughout the state, and fulfill the institution’s land-grant mission to uplift Arkansas. As of Feb. 1, 2025, the campaign has raised 64% of its goal in 8% of the time through more than $127,064,639 in pledges and commitments.

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.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $3 billion to Arkansas’ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.