U of A alumnus Jim von Gremp and his wife, Susan, recently contributed $100,000 to the Land of Opportunity Scholarship campaign. The gift establishes the Jim and Susan von Gremp Land of Opportunity Scholarship and will impact students' access to education by addressing the critical funding gap often limiting those opportunities. 

The Land of Opportunity Scholarship campaign is a three-year initiative to increase educational access for students from all 75 counties in Arkansas. The campaign seeks to strengthen connections between the university and businesses across the state, fulfilling the institution's land-grant mission to serve Arkansas. 

“This initiative is important because it gives Arkansas high school graduates the support they need to stay in state for their education, rather than leaving for universities elsewhere or, worse, not attending college at all,” Jim von Gremp said, reflecting on their gift. “We want our students to pursue their dreams — whether in engineering, medicine, business or the arts — right here in Arkansas, where our communities can directly see the impact of their contributions.” 

“Jim and Susan von Gremp have consistently demonstrated their commitment to the University of Arkansas and our students,” said Chancellor Charles Robinson. “We are immensely grateful for their dedication to expanding educational access and their partnership in helping to transform lives across Arkansas.”

A former Walmart executive and state legislator, Jim von Gremp was an active member of the U of A Board of Trustees from 2005 to 2016. He also served as a member of the Campaign Arkansas Steering Committee and the U of A Foundation Board. Jim and Susan, both University of Missouri graduates, are members of the Arkansas Alumni Association and the Chancellor's Society. They are counted as Thoroughreds for their consecutive giving to the U of A and are included in the Towers of Old Main giving society.

“We are grateful to Jim and Susan for their steadfast support of the Land of Opportunity Scholarship campaign,” said Scott Varady, vice chancellor for advancement. “From Jim’s past service as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas, Jim and Susan have been committed to helping students. We appreciate the generational impact of their gift to improve lives and enhance the Arkansas workforce.”

This gift to the Land of Opportunity Scholarship is a continuation of the von Gremps’ ongoing work to improve educational outcomes across the state. In 2005, the couple established the James A. and Susan F. von Gremp Honors College Fellowship to attract top students to the Honors College. In 2019, they created an Advance Arkansas endowed scholarship with a $50,000 gift.   

“With this gift, Arkansas students throughout the state will have the opportunity not only to experience success as a student at the state’s flagship institution but to also engage in high-impact learning experiences that will lead to higher graduation rates and improve the Arkansas workforce,” Varady said. 

The von Gremps’ support of higher education is deeply personal. Coming from a family where neither of his parents attended college, Jim developed a talent for finance and accounting, working in banks throughout high school and college. He eventually earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Missouri and a Master of Business Administration from the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the U of A. 

Returning to school at age 40 to pursue a master’s degree, von Gremp found himself among students nearly 20 years younger, offering insight into the challenges of those entering the workforce. He also experienced firsthand the demands placed on working students while balancing a full-time job at Walmart and running for the legislature. This background helped shape his philanthropic goals. 

The von Gremps' commitment to higher education extends beyond financial gifts. They have supported the Single Parent Scholarship Fund since the early 1990s, seeing firsthand how mentorship helps students stay enrolled and become self-sufficient. Like her husband, Jim, Susan believes that offering a helping hand at critical moments can be the key to ensuring students persist in their studies and achieve self-sufficiency. 

“It's crucial to encourage students to dream and believe in their potential, showing them that opportunities exist to improve their lives through education,” Jim said. “Many students and parents are unaware of the resources available, and through efforts like this scholarship program, they can access the support needed to succeed.”  

The von Gremps remain dedicated to making higher education accessible and affordable. Jim’s prior work with the Board of Trustees and the Higher Education Coordinating Board focused on helping students both enroll and graduate. Jim and Susan firmly believe that Arkansas needs more graduates in fields ranging from business to nursing to technology to meet industry demands and drive economic growth. 

“We’re going to make a significant difference in Arkansas by improving education and employment, which will help recruit more businesses and industries, creating job opportunities for those with real skills,” Jim stated. “While Northwest Arkansas is growing, many areas still need more graduates entering the workforce. People often want to return to their roots, but that’s only possible with the knowledge to succeed.”

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 Mar. 1, 2025, the campaign has raised 64% of its goal in 11% of the time through more than $127,264,639 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.