$100,000 GIFT DIRECTED TO CHANCELLOR’S SCHOLARS PROGRAM

Faulkner Family Chancellor’s Scholarship fund created

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Jim and Joyce Faulkner, of Little Rock, have made a gift of $100,000 to support the University of Arkansas Chancellor’s Scholars Program. With this endowed gift, the Faulkner Family Chancellor's Scholarship has been created.

"This generous gift from the Faulkners is an important investment in the future of Arkansas," said Chancellor John A. White. "By substantially increasing the endowment for our Chancellor’s Scholars Program, it will help keep Arkansas’ brightest young students going to college in-state, at the University of Arkansas, and greatly increase the likelihood that they will spend their productive lives in our state."

"The Faulkners recognize the importance of creating opportunity in Arkansas for talented students. It sets a fine example of generosity that we hope others will follow."

The Faulkners chose to support the Chancellor’s Scholarship Program after meeting Chancellor White and have since come to embrace White’s vision that the University of Arkansas can emerge as a nationally competitive public research university and an economic engine for the state.

"My wife and I met the chancellor last year at a football event and we were very impressed with his thoughts and ideas about making the University of Arkansas an even greater institution of higher learning," said Mr. Faulkner.

"Attracting intellectually talented students is a key part of that vision, that’s why we chose the Chancellor’s Scholars Program -- to help deserving people go to school. And while we want them to be deserving from an academic and character standpoint, we also want our scholarship to go to someone who genuinely needs financial assistance."

Mr. Faulkner is a 1954 University of Arkansas graduate with a bachelor of science degree in journalism. Following his graduation, Mr. Faulkner spent two years in the Air Force. After the military, the Faulkners moved back to Arkansas where Mr. Faulkner began his career in advertising. He founded a one-man advertising agency, Faulkner and Associates, which grew into one of the leading advertising firms in the Southwest.

In the early 1980s Mr. Faulkner established Falcon Publications, which targeted the video movie industry. At the time he sold Falcon Publications in 1992, it was then the largest video publication in the world with a 1.5 million monthly circulation.

Since selling their businesses, the Faulkners have primarily been investing in areas such as banking, real estate and restaurants.

Mrs. Faulkner returned to school after raising their family, and earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

The Faulkners are long-time supporters of the University and are members of the Chancellor’s Society. Examples of their previous generosity include gifts directed to the renovation of Old Main, the University Annual Fund, Razorback band uniforms, the Walter J. Lemke Scholarship Award Fund, the Walter J. Lemke Journalism Education Fund, and the Chancellor’s Society.

The Faulkner’s alumni status with the University of Arkansas extends to all five of their children who attended the University.

"We have maintained a close relationship with the University. We believe it is one of the most outstanding institutions in this part of the country, and we want to help others benefit from what it has to offer," Mr. Faulkner said.