FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Chancellor emeritus G. David Gearhart and his wife, Jane, contributed $50,000 to the Land of Opportunity Scholarship endowment at the University of Arkansas. Their gift will benefit students across Arkansas, addressing the critical funding gap that limits students’ access to education.

The Land of Opportunity Scholarship, a three-year campaign launched in November 2024, will 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 serve Arkansas.

“This university has been a central part of our lives for generations,” said Gearhart. “Jane and I believe in the power of education to change lives, and we want to help ensure that no student is denied access to this opportunity simply because of financial need.”

“Few have done as much to shape the University of Arkansas as Dave and Jane Gearhart," said Chancellor Charles Robinson. "Their leadership, vision and dedication helped elevate this institution to new heights — and their gift to the Land of Opportunity Scholarship continues that powerful legacy. We are grateful for their generosity and their enduring commitment to our students.”

G. David Gearhart has dedicated much of his professional life to the University of Arkansas, where he earned both his law degree and his doctorate in education. He and his wife Jane, an alumna of the university’s journalism program, have been proud members of the Razorback family for decades.

Beginning in 1998, Gearhart served 10 years as vice chancellor for university advancement, during which he led the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century. The ambitious campaign raised over $1 billion, including a $300 million gift from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation, the largest gift ever made to a public university at the time.

Gearhart then served as chancellor, helping transform the university’s fundraising capacity and increasing annual private giving from approximately $10 million to over $150 million.

Those experiences shaped Gearhart’s understanding of the need for private investment in public education. “Public institutions like ours can’t depend solely on state funding,” said Gearhart. “Private support is what enables us to offer scholarships, attract great faculty, and build programs that set students up for success. We’ve seen the impact of philanthropy, and now we’re proud to be part of that cycle.”

The family’s commitment to strengthening university support goes beyond financial contributions. Jane Gearhart’s involvement with the Full Circle Food Pantry on campus demonstrates their understanding of the university community’s fundamental needs. Created to address the growing demand for food assistance among university students and staff, the pantry has become a critical campus resource.

"The Full Circle Food Pantry was born out of Jane’s deep compassion for students and staff who struggle with food insecurity,” said Gearhart. “Its success has shaped our vision for a more supportive campus, one where care and community are integral to the student experience."

That vision for a more caring campus environment inspired the family’s recent scholarship gift.

"The Land of Opportunity Scholarship provides more than just financial support,” said Gearhart. “It offers essential mentoring, coaching and career guidance, all of which are vital for student success. At 18 years old, many students are uncertain about their future, and it is the university’s responsibility to support them beyond the classroom. This includes helping them navigate their educational journey, guiding them toward graduate school, or preparing them for a successful career."

“The visionary commitment of Chancellor Emeritus Dave and Jane Gearhart to the University of Arkansas and the students of Arkansas is bold, unwavering and enduring,” said Scott Varady, vice chancellor for advancement. “Their gift to the Land of Opportunity Scholarship campaign exemplifies, once again, their exceptional leadership and impact on the lives of students by helping eliminate barriers to success. As steadfast champions for student success and the university, Dave and Jane have long led the charge in making meaningful progress to achieve profound positive change. Their generous gift underscores their belief in the power of education to uplift, inspire and build a better future for all Arkansans. We hope their gift will serve as a call to action for others to support the Land of Opportunity Scholarship because a gift in any amount makes a difference.  The Gearharts’ generosity is not only inspiring – it is life changing – and we thank them for being difference-makers.”

Gearhart recognizes that scholarships can be life-changing, offering recipients both financial support and the confidence that comes from knowing others believe in your potential. The couple hopes their gift inspires other Razorbacks to give.

“Our message is simple,” said Gearhart. “If you’ve benefited from this university, pay it forward. Even $5 a year can make a difference. That culture of giving is what sustains the University of Arkansas as the land of opportunity.”

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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 Apr. 30, 2025, the campaign has raised 65% of its goal in 17% of the time through more than $ 130,509,639 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.