FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — UA alumni Shell and Kathleen Blakely have committed $500,000 to create the first program endowment at the Arkansas Alumni Association.

The Shell and Kathleen Blakely Endowed Program Fund will be used to fund programs offered by the Arkansas Alumni Association. Additionally, the gift encourages other alumni to contribute to an program endowment for the Arkansas Alumni Association through the new "125 Circle" program. Association members enter the 125 Circle by making a $125 gift over their annual membership. This challenge is similar to one taken from the Alumni Association's history: In 1947, alumni president Maupin Cummings challenged all graduates to rejuvenate the Alumni Association. He contributed $100 and challenged others to do likewise, creating "The 100 Club," which enabled the Association to develop a firm financial foundation as it reorganized after World War II.

As part of their gift, the Blakelys agree to match every 125 Circle gift, thus doubling the value of many smaller gifts. The Blakely challenge is offered to encourage alumni and friends to join them in the 125 Circle.

UA Chancellor John A. White said, "We are so pleased that Shell and Kathleen Blakely have chosen to create this endowment for the Arkansas Alumni Association. Keeping alumni connected to their alma mater is one of the most important things a university can do. Strong alumni relationships are the foundation of an institution’s support. Current and future alumni will reap the benefits of membership in the Alumni Association even more, thanks to this program endowment."

As a nonprofit organization, the Alumni Association relies on membership fees to fund for its operations. Programs and activities for alumni, including the alumni awards programs, Arkansas magazine, six constituent societies, and 32 alumni chapters, are funded in this manner. These programs are important to the Association’s work of keeping alumni connected to the University of Arkansas through strong alumni relationships. Support in the form of program endowments will enable the Association to continue to provide these valuable services to alumni and the university by providing a continuous source of funding.

G. David Gearhart, vice chancellor for University Advancement, said, "We’d like to extend our most sincere gratitude for the generous commitment to the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century. This outstanding support will have a tremendous impact on the Arkansas Alumni Association and in their ability to raise additional funds for continued program support."

Shell Blakely (BSBA 1952) and Kathleen Blakely (BA 1952) live in Searcy. Mr. Blakely spent many years in the banking and oil industries before becoming owner of B-B Oil Co. Inc. He worked for Bank of America in San Diego, Calif., was employed by Worthen Bank in Little Rock and worked as a district sales manager in Memphis, Tenn. for Kerr-Mcgee. He is currently on the board of directors for Regions Bank in Searcy.

He is a member of the National Development Council, the volunteer organization that advises the University in developing, enhancing and strengthening its academic programs through private gift support, a member of the Arkansas Alumni Association board of directors and a member of the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century Steering Committee. The Blakelys are Broyles-Matthews sports contributors for University of Arkansas men’s athletics.

Mike Macechko, executive director of the Arkansas Alumni Association, said, "Shell and Kathleen have been very special supporters of the Association for many years. Like the alumni of 56 years ago, the Blakelys and their vision will lay the cornerstone for the Association as it meets the needs of alumni in the twenty-first century."

The Blakelys are members of the First United Methodist Church of Searcy and have three daughters and six grandchildren.

This gift comes at a time when the Alumni Association is launching its year-long 125th anniversary celebration. Association membership is open to graduates and non-graduates alike, although only active members of the Alumni Association are eligible to take advantage of the organization’s benefits and services. There are currently more than 26,500 members of the Association, which ranks it among the top alumni programs in the nation for membership percentage. The University of Arkansas has more than 120,000 alumni.

The Blakelys’ gift will be counted toward The $300 Million Challenge, the campaign-within-a-campaign to raise $300 million for academic programs 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 Campaign goal is to raise $900 million, of which $693.6 million has been raised as of Feb. 28, 2003. The Challenge total stands at $83 million.