Three Families, One Community, Lasting Impact

In a historic Northwest Arkansas neighborhood where professional paths and personal relationships intersect, three families have built lasting connections through work and community life. Those ties shaped how each chose to invest in the future of University of Arkansas students.

John and Harriet Mack, Jim and Nancy Swearingen, and David and Marilyn Swearingen have recently established scholarships at the University of Arkansas. Several are U of A alumni, and all are Rogers residents with deep roots in Northwest Arkansas, where the men’s careers as architects have helped shape the region.

Two of the gifts — made by John and Harriet Mack and Jim and Nancy Swearingen — support the Land of Opportunity Scholarship, which expands access to higher education for Arkansas students with high financial need. In addition to financial support, Land of Opportunity scholars receive mentorship, academic coaching and financial planning, along with access to career-building opportunities such as undergraduate research, study abroad and internships.

The third gift — made by David and Marilyn Swearingen — establishes the Swearingen Family Endowed Scholarship in the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design. The Swearingen Family Scholarship provides long-term support for students pursuing careers in architecture and related disciplines.

Together, the scholarships create lasting opportunities for students, ensuring that a U of A education remains accessible to talented students regardless of financial circumstance.

“The Mack and Swearingen families have strengthened Northwest Arkansas in lasting ways through their careers and service," said Chancellor Charles Robinson. "These scholarships will extend that legacy by giving generations of University of Arkansas students the support they need to earn degrees and make lasting contributions of their own. We are grateful for their generosity and their commitment to our students and the communities they will serve."

John and Harriet Mack

John Mack, a Fay Jones School alumnus, earned his Bachelor of Architecture in 1973 and has practiced architecture for more than five decades in Northwest Arkansas. As a principal at JKJ Architects in Rogers, he has led projects across educational, medical, historic, commercial and religious sectors, earning recognition at both the state and national levels through the American Institute of Architects.

Harriet Mack earned her bachelor’s degree from the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, followed by a Master of Science from the U of A. Her career has included work in home economics and the U of A Cooperative Extension Service, as well as small business ownership in downtown Rogers.

John and Harriet Mack (Photo by Brandon Ngo)

The Macks’ support for architecture students reflects a long-standing connection to design education.

“We have had a wonderful relationship with The Cooper Union, where our youngest son studied architecture,” the Macks said. “In his memory, we established a thesis fellowship to allow students to travel and conduct primary research during their thesis year. Over time, more than 100 students have benefited from that support.

“We have also had an important relationship with the Fay Jones School, and we realized it was time to lend a hand to its students. Our hope is that a Land of Opportunity Scholarship will help them complete their studies and contribute to the architecture community and our state in a meaningful way.”

Jim and Nancy Swearingen

Jim Swearingen earned his Bachelor of Architecture from the Fay Jones School in 1975 and spent much of his career with Crafton Tull in Rogers, contributing to projects across Northwest Arkansas, including work for public schools and higher education institutions, as well as municipal, religious and health care projects, before retiring in 2017. His work extended beyond the firm through consulting and community involvement, including leadership and support for professional and service organizations.

Jim and Nancy Swearingen (Photo by Brandon Ngo)

Nancy Swearingen earned a Master of Education from the University of Arkansas in 1993 and served as an elementary school principal in the Rogers School District. Since retiring in 2012, she has remained active in nonprofit and volunteer leadership, including involvement with Circle of Life Hospice.

For the Swearingens, supporting the Land of Opportunity Scholarship is a natural extension of their commitment to education and community.

“Both Nancy and I were fortunate to grow up in families that valued education and supported our pathways to professional careers,” Jim Swearingen said. “Because we appreciate the power of education to unlock potential and realize that many people face financial barriers that limit their opportunities, we chose to pay back our gratitude for the advantages we have had by paying it forward for others through the Land of Opportunity Scholarship.”

David and Marilyn Swearingen

David Swearingen earned a Bachelor of Architecture from the Fay Jones School in 1972, launching a career centered on community-focused design. At Crafton Tull in Rogers, he rose to senior vice president of architecture and helped lead projects shaping the region, including the Rogers High School campus, the Circle of Life Hospice facility in Springdale and the Genesis Cancer Center in Hot Springs.

Marilyn Swearingen, a retired educator, spent more than a decade teaching in the Rogers School District. She remains deeply involved in volunteer service in Rogers, including leadership with Circle of Life Hospice, where she has been recognized for her commitment to the organization’s mission.

David and Marilyn Swearingen (Photo by Brandon Ngo)

For David Swearingen, supporting future architects is deeply personal, shaped by early experiences that sparked a lifelong interest in design and education.

“My interest in architecture began with Cy Sutherland, a high school classmate of my parents,” David Swearingen said. “Our family spent time with Cy and Martha Sutherland at the architecture school, and that exposure stayed with me. Over time, architecture became my pathway to a rewarding career. It is a pleasure to share that opportunity with a new generation who have the same passion for architecture.”

The Collective Impact of Community

Outside of their professional lives, the families share close friendships and a long history of community involvement. They have built their lives in historic downtown Rogers, raised their families together and supported a wide range of local organizations, along with long-standing involvement in First United Methodist Church and its ministries.

"This story is such a powerful reminder that philanthropy often grows out of relationships, shared values and a deep belief in community," said Scott Varady, vice chancellor for advancement. "The Mack and Swearingen families have each contributed to Northwest Arkansas in meaningful ways throughout their lives and careers, and now they are investing in students who will help shape the future of our state. We are deeply grateful for their generosity and for the example they continue to set through their commitment to the Land of Opportunity Scholarship." 

While each family made its gift independently, their combined support reflects a shared conviction: education creates opportunity not only for students, but for families, communities and the state of Arkansas.

Together, their generosity shows how closely connected people can amplify their impact — opening doors for future Razorbacks and strengthening the communities they will one day serve.

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 Sept. 30, 2026, the campaign has raised 71% of its $200 million goal through more than $142,946,605 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.