Jon and Linda Fricke established the Fricke Family Endowed Scholarship with a $25,000 gift to the U of A, designed to support undergraduate University Recreation and Wellness student employees who demonstrate financial need and a strong commitment to the mission of UREC.

Administered through the Division of Student Affairs, the scholarship will be awarded annually to undergraduate students who are actively employed by UREC, have a minimum 2.0 GPA and demonstrate financial need.

“The Fricke Family Endowed Scholarship represents a lasting investment in the student employees who make our programs possible,” said Jeremy Battjes, vice chancellor for student affairs. “We are grateful for the Fricke family’s vision and generosity in helping reduce financial barriers for these working students.”

Linda Fricke, a retired UREC staff member, said that the donation reflects her family’s strong ties to the university and to University Recreation.

“Our family benefited in many ways from our relationships with the University of Arkansas,” Fricke said. “Zach and Hannah Fricke both graduated from the U of A, and both Hannah and I were employed at University Recreation. Our desire to give back to the university — and specifically to UREC — stems from the value we’ve seen student staff gain from every aspect of their experience. It is our honor to assist these outstanding student staff in their continued success.”

In a special moment that concluded UREC’s recent Honors and Awards Celebration, the first Fricke Family Endowed Scholarship was awarded to Joe Fiorenza, marking the beginning of a legacy that will continue to support and empower UREC student employees for years to come.