FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Students in the University of Arkansas Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences will have more scholarship opportunities thanks to a $100,000 gift from Robert and Marilyn Alexander, of Paragould, Ark.

The Robert and Marilyn Alexander Endowed Scholarship will provide need-based financial assistance to Bumpers College students who exemplify high standards, demonstrate leadership abilities and have an enthusiasm for learning.

Greg Weidemann, dean of the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, said: "We are so pleased that the Alexanders have chosen to create this need-based scholarship fund in Bumpers College. Providing opportunities for students lacking the financial means to attain a college education is a huge need of ours. This scholarship will be attractive to prospective and current students alike, and the Alexanders are truly making a difference in our student-recruitment and retention efforts and I’d like to thank them for their generosity."

Robert Alexander earned a B.S.A. and A.G.H. in 1952 from Bumpers College. As a student, he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He served the United States Air Force as first lieutenant in Korea and is currently the president of the Alexander Plantation Co.

Marilyn Alexander is a 1955 graduate of Rhodes College with a bachelor’s degree in music. She is currently serving on the State Library Board. The Alexanders are members of the First Baptist Church of Paragould.

This gift counts toward The $300 Million Challenge, the campaign-within-a-campaign. The purpose of the Challenge is to raise $300 million for academic purposes to match the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation’s $300 million gift. Challenge funds must be raised between Jan. 1, 2002, and June 30, 2005, the end of the Campaign. The Challenge total stands at $163.6 million, and the overall Campaign total stands at $793 million as of March 31, 2004.