Mason, Jones Invest in Arkansas Students Through $25,000 Gift

Jesse William Mason, Jr. and Gail Reede Jones, M.D., have committed $25,000 to support the U of A's Land of Opportunity Scholarship, helping expand access to higher education for Arkansas students who are eligible to receive federal Pell grants, indicating high financial need. The scholarship will help bridge the gap between a student's free aid and direct costs to attend college, which include tuition and mandatory fees and housing, thus reducing financial barriers that can limit students' academic engagement.

"Jesse Mason and Dr. Gail Jones' generosity will help more Arkansas students earn a degree from the U of A and experience the lifelong benefits of higher education," said Chancellor Charles Robinson. "We are deeply grateful for their support and the lasting difference it will make for our students and our state." 

Often, Pell-grant recipients face additional financial pressures that their peers do not, requiring them to work long hours, reducing time available for coursework, internships, undergraduate research and other career-building experiences. By easing those burdens, the scholarship positions students to stay in school, graduate on time and prepare for long-term success.

In addition to financial assistance, scholars receive mentorship, academic coaching and financial planning, along with access to career-building opportunities including undergraduate research, study abroad and internships with Arkansas companies to help ensure they graduate and succeed. These resources support student success, a key pillar of the university's 150 Forward strategic plan and a critical component of its land-grant mission. By improving access and outcomes for students with the greatest financial need across all 75 Arkansas counties, the scholarship reinforces the university's commitment to serving the state.

Jones and Mason live in Little Rock where Jones is a urologist at Arkansas Urology. Mason is a former vice-mayor of Little Rock and the retired director emeritus of Cooperative Education Internship and Placement at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where he championed co-op paid work experiences and paid internships that connected students to professional pathways.

"I have been and remain committed to helping as many students as possible to gain relevant work experience, learn what it means to commit to a task, learn accountability and find meaningful employment as well as advancement of careers and education after graduation," Mason said. "The Land of Opportunity Scholarship student will gain practical employment experience that employers look for when hiring college graduates."

The couple was also inspired to support the Land of Opportunity Scholarship by Mason's personal educational journey and a desire to improve educational outcomes in the Arkansas communities that shaped him. Mason grew up in Marion during segregation but attended Woodstock High School, a boarding school north of Memphis, for a stronger academic opportunity. This experience helped Mason realize how education can change life trajectories.

The Land of Opportunity Scholarship Endowment by Jesse William Mason, Jr. and Gail Reede Jones, M.D. will be awarded with preference to qualified students from Jefferson, Crittenden or Pulaski counties, the areas of the state where Mason was raised and where Mason and Jones currently live.

"We are grateful to Jesse and Gail for investing in Arkansas students and helping expand opportunity for future generations," said Scott Varady, vice chancellor for advancement. "Their generosity is an investment in student success and the future workforce of our state."

"The Land of Opportunity Scholarship has given donors a vehicle to channel their dollars and devotion to the counties in the state that nurtured them as youths, educated them as young adults and now recognize them as leaders in their industries and careers," Mason and Jones said. "This collective of counties and donors will yield vast dividends for years to come as we support the education of our treasured asset, the future generation of Arkansans."

About the Land of Opportunity Scholarship: The Land of Opportunity Scholarship campaign is an 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 May 31, 2026, the campaign has raised 70% of its $200 million goal through more than $140,424,713 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.