Scholarship in Memory of Lane Strother to Benefit Students in Baxter and Marion Counties

Judy Strother is honoring her late husband, Lane Strother, with a $50,000 gift to support the Land of Opportunity Scholarship, helping more Arkansas students achieve their goal of earning a college degree. The gift reflects their shared belief that access to education has the power to open doors, change lives, and create opportunities for generations to come. The Strother endowment will give preference to qualified students from public high schools in Baxter or Marion counties.

"The opportunities that education provided helped the Strothers build meaningful lives and careers, and this gift will create similar possibilities for generations of Arkansas students," said Chancellor Charles Robinson. "We are deeply grateful to Judy for honoring Lane’s memory in a way that will have such a lasting impact.”

The Land of Opportunity Scholarship campaign aims to raise $200 million for targeted scholarships awarded to Arkansas students eligible to receive federal Pell grants, indicating high financial need. A key pillar of the university’s 150 Forward strategic plan and its land-grant mission is improving access and outcomes for students from all 75 Arkansas counties.

In addition to reducing financial barriers, the scholarship provides mentorship, academic coaching, financial planning and access to experiences such as undergraduate research, study abroad and internships with Arkansas companies. Together, these resources strengthen student success. This fall, the first cohort of Land of Opportunity Scholars began pursuing their degrees at the University of Arkansas.

“I did not realize how many students who qualify for financial aid still face unmet needs that can make staying in college difficult,” Strother said. “What has struck me is how a relatively small amount of support, provided at the right time, can make such a profound difference in a student’s ability to stay in school and ultimately earn a degree. Helping students overcome those barriers is an investment in their future as well as the future of the state.”

Judy and Lane Strother understood the opportunities education can create. She and Lane were first-generation college graduates. Judy earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Ouachita Baptist University and a law degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Lane earned a bachelor's degree in English from Ouachita Baptist University and a master's degree in educational administration from the University of Arkansas before serving in the military, where he worked on educational planning for young officers under Gen. George Patton Jr. That experience sparked an interest in education that remained a constant throughout his life. After his military service, Lane went on to earn a law degree. In 1981, the couple established The Strother Law Firm in Mountain Home and built their legal careers together.

Their lifelong commitment to education inspired this gift, which honors Lane's memory while helping future generations of Arkansas students pursue opportunities of their own. Judy hopes her family’s story will encourage others to consider supporting student success through philanthropy.

"Lane Strother lived an exemplary life, professionally and personally devoted to uplifting others from all walks of life," said Scott Varady, vice chancellor for advancement. "By honoring Lane’s legacy through the Land of Opportunity Scholarship, Judy’s gift will help more Arkansas students earn a degree, build meaningful futures and strengthen their families and communities. Lane’s extraordinary life will continue to have an extraordinary impact for generations to come and continue serving as an example for all of us."

“Lane believed deeply in education, and I believe one of the best ways to honor his memory is by helping students pursue their own dreams,” she said. “I hope our gift not only assists students today but also inspires others to join in supporting programs that make higher education accessible for those who need it most.”

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 July 31, 2026, the campaign has raised 71% of its $200 million goal through more than $141,383,441 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.