Martin Gift to Walton College Establishes Capitaf Scholars Fund

U of A alumni Ruben and Sue Martin made a $500,000 gift to benefit the Sam M. Walton College of Business. Their contribution will establish the Ruben and Sue Martin Capitaf Scholars Fund.  

The fund will support up to 24 students, primarily from Walton College, selected to participate in an annual summer colloquium, focused on Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman's classic works. The program provides students with a unique opportunity to explore the critical importance of free enterprise and capitalism.  

The Martin's support of the Capitaf program will enable students to attend a week-long conference at the Milton and Rose Friedman Center in Vermont. At the center, students will engage in discussions of Friedman's seminal works aiming to understand free-market capitalism more deeply. Set amid 100 acres of peaceful woodland, the center offers an ideal environment for students to reflect on the practical applications of Friedman's economic principles in modern economic and public policy.  

"Ruben and Sue Martin's extraordinary gift will enable our students to explore the foundational principles of free enterprise and capitalism through a once-in-a-lifetime learning experience," said Chancellor Charles Robinson. "We are deeply grateful for their support and the lasting impact it will have on Walton College students." 

"The in-depth study of Milton Friedman's work is deeply impactful to students selected to attend the colloquium," said Brent Williams, dean of the Walton College. "I am grateful to Ruben and Sue for their generous support." 

Ruben and Sue Martin's support of the Capitaf program stems from their long-established relationship with the U of A. Their family's ties to the university stretch back over a century when Ruben Martin's grandfather graduated from the U of A in 1914. His mother, Margaret, earned a Bachelor of Arts in history in 1947, and his father, R.S. Martin, received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1946.  

Growing up, the university was a natural fit for Ruben, his connection strengthened by frequent visits to Fayetteville for football games. Sue, a first-generation college graduate, initially attended Kilgore College in Texas. However, she felt an immediate connection with the U of A when she visited the campus for a football game as a freshman and enrolled soon after, telling her parents, "This is home."   

Sue credits hard work and her family's support for helping her achieve her academic goals, emphasizing the importance of education in her family. Ruben earned a Bachelor of Science in industrial management in 1974, while Sue earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1973.  

The U of A gave Ruben and Sue a solid academic foundation and instilled in them the importance of building relationships and collaborating with others. Both recognize the benefit of a broad educational curriculum, such as accounting for engineers, to enhance problem-solving and business skills. Sue fondly recalls taking an architecture course outside her field of study that still resonates with her. The class reinforced how cross-disciplinary learning can impact a person's success.  

"We are grateful to Ruben and Sue Martin for their extraordinary generosity in supporting students in the Capitaf program," said Scott Varady, vice chancellor for advancement. "Their gift will make a tremendous educational impact on our students to understand the importance of capitalism and the free enterprise system. We thank Ruben and Sue for this important gift." 

Friedman's economic theories have influenced Ruben's career and his current role as president of Martin Resource Management in East Texas. Martin believes capitalism fosters collaboration and that mutually beneficial business deals drive long-term success. His leadership philosophy is grounded in employee equity, ensuring that his employees have a meaningful stake in the company's success. "In every company I start, employees — those doing the real work — hold equity," Martin emphasized. "It's crucial that they have a stake in the success."     

Martin also enjoys engaging with Walton College students. Praising the school's improved academic ranking, Martin noted, "We are very impressed with Dean Williams; he's on the right track. I deal with graduates from Harvard, Yale and Columbia almost every day, and I can tell you Walton College students are on that level." 

The Martins hope their gift will help students realize their potential in the business world. "The Capitaf program is exciting," Sue said. "As we learned more about it, we were eager to expand its reach. We want to see the number of participants grow even larger." 

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.