The Schoen Foundation contributed $1 million to the Land of Opportunity Scholarship campaign. The gift, in honor of William J. Schoen, will impact students' access to education by addressing the critical funding gap often limiting those opportunities. With this contribution, the Schoen Foundation joins the Leaders of Arkansas Founders’ Circle, an esteemed group of benefactors who have each committed at least $1 million to the scholarship campaign.  

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 provide direct support for students, strengthen partnerships between the university and businesses across Arkansas and fulfill the university’s land-grant mission to serve the state through education and economic development.  

“It’s important to us to support institutions rooted in the communities where our trustees live and work,” said Kelsey Sutton, program officer and trustee for the Schoen Foundation. “Partnering with the University of Arkansas and the Land of Opportunity Scholarship aligns closely with that mission. We're proud to support an initiative that expands access to higher education for talented students across Arkansas by addressing the financial barriers that can stand in the way of pursuing their goals.”  

"We are deeply grateful to the Schoen Foundation for honoring William Schoen in such a meaningful way," said Chancellor Charles Robinson. "He dedicated his life to helping others, and this gift will carry that legacy forward by creating opportunity for generations of students and lasting benefits for families and communities across Arkansas."

The gift honors the legacy of Schoen, a Marine Corps veteran and distinguished business leader who rose from modest beginnings to lead Health Management Associates into a Fortune 500 company. A Southern California native, he grew up during the Great Depression, left high school to support his family and enlisted in the Marines at age 17. Schoen served in Korea from 1953 to 1956 before completing eight years of active and reserve duty.  

After military service, Schoen attended the USC Marshall School of Business on a partial scholarship. While working full time to support his young family, he earned a bachelor's degree in 1960 and an M.B.A. in 1963.  

Schoen’s business career included executive leadership roles in manufacturing and finance, ultimately leading him to join Health Management Associates in 1983. As chairman and CEO, he pioneered a strategy of acquiring and improving community hospitals, transforming the company into a multi-billion-dollar national enterprise.  

The Schoen Foundation was founded in 1993 by William and Sharon Schoen in Naples, Florida. Guided by their faith, the Schoens were motivated to support missions that impacted and shaped their lives, including veteran causes, efforts to end homelessness and hunger, Christian ministries and educational initiatives.  

Following William’s passing in 2023, the multi-generational, family-led foundation continues the work he and Sharon began over 30 years ago. “Our foundation is dedicated to honoring his legacy by supporting students in our communities through expanding access, providing critical resources and helping to remove financial barriers that stand in the way of their goals,” Sutton said. “We believe education represents opportunity, and empowering students to seize those opportunities is truly meaningful to us.”  

“The Schoen Foundation’s extraordinary investment in the Land of Opportunity Scholarship Endowment changes the lives of future students and sets an inspiring example,” said Scott Varady, vice chancellor for advancement. “Their leadership as members of the Leaders of Arkansas Founders’ Circle demonstrates how philanthropy fuels opportunity and access. We are grateful for the momentum they bring to this transformative effort.” 

Carrying that momentum forward, the Schoen Foundation views the Land of Opportunity Scholarship as an extension of their mission and a lasting tribute to William’s legacy. “Our hope is that this scholarship helps remove financial barriers so students across Arkansas can not only attend the University of Arkansas but truly thrive once they arrive,” Sutton said. “We believe education opens doors for individuals, which helps strengthen the communities they’re part of.”

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 Sept. 30, 2025, the campaign has raised 68% of its goal in 31% of the time through more than $135,489,585 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.