University of Arkansas alumni Chip and Suzanne Beard have contributed $100,000 to the Land of Opportunity Scholarship campaign, a $200 million initiative that expands support for talented Arkansas students in unprecedented ways. The Beards’ gift will help fund annual scholarship awards beginning with the inaugural cohort of Land of Opportunity scholars in fall 2026.

“We’re grateful to Chip and Suzanne Beard for their generosity and their steadfast belief in the power of education,” said Chancellor Charles Robinson. “Their support will give talented and determined young Arkansans the opportunity to succeed where financial barriers might otherwise stand in the way. Gifts like this don't just change individual lives — they help build a brighter future for families and communities across Arkansas.”

The three-year Land of Opportunity Scholarship campaign launched in November 2024. The campaign will improve access to education for students from all 75 counties in Arkansas, create partnerships between the university and businesses throughout the state, and fulfill the institution’s land-grant promise to uplift Arkansas.

“We’ve been fortunate to grow through education and service,” Beard said. “Suzanne and I believe deeply in paying it forward. By easing the financial burden on students, we hope to give them the same chance at success that we were given. For us, this is about creating a ripple effect that carries forward for generations.”

“Watching my sister Sheryl struggle to afford college with only Pell Grants made it clear how critical support like this can be,” Beard added. “The Land of Opportunity Scholarship is the right vehicle to help future students fund their education and build a better future.”

Rooted in values of service and education, the Beards have long embraced opportunities to help others — through their alma mater and to the community they now call home. The Beards established the Chip and Suzanne Beard Advance Arkansas Endowed Scholarship in the Sam M. Walton College of Business, supporting first-generation college students and business majors. The Beards also support youth education, enrichment and literacy programs and are active members of the Peachtree City, Georgia community. Chip mentors aspiring professionals in the financial planning field, helping guide the next generation of advisors.

“We are truly grateful to Chip and Suzanne Beard for the trust and heart behind this gift,” said Scott Varady, vice chancellor for advancement. “Their remarkable generosity goes beyond financial support; it’s also a reflection of who they are and their values. This gift will directly change lives and open doors for students across the state, creating lasting opportunities that will echo for generations.”

Chip Beard is a partner and wealth advisor with Waverly Advisors in Peachtree City, Georgia. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from the Sam M. Walton College of Business. Suzanne Beard holds a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics from the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences and earned credentials as a registered dietitian from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock. They are members of the Chancellor’s Society and steadfast Razorback fans.

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 June 30, 2025, the campaign has raised 66% of its goal in 22% of the time through more than $132,739,585 in pledges and commitments.

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.