BOYER FELLOWSHIPS ESTABLISHED TO CHAMPION OUTSTANDING UA BUSINESS STUDENTS

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Tommy and Sylvia Boyer of Amarillo, Tex., and Fayetteville, Ark., feel the most important thing they can do at this stage in their lives is help young people. They have made a $168,000 gift commitment to set up the Boyer Fellowships to encourage outstanding Arkansas students to pursue a college education at the University of Arkansas in the Sam M. Walton College of Business Administration.

The Boyers themselves are distinguished graduates of the University. They are long-time supporters of the University, volunteering their time and resources to a wide range of high-impact programs and committees. The Boyers have committed $168,000 for an initial five-year period of the program and will continue to support the annual expense of $48,000 for four scholars.

Boyer Fellows will receive a maximum of $12,000 for the school year. The fellowship money may be used to cover tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, the purchase of a personal computer and travel to educational programs and professional conferences. The fellowship also may be used for study abroad if the student chooses.

The fellowships will be awarded to an incoming freshman on a one-year basis, renewable for an additional three years, as long as the program continues. The recipient must have a high academic record, demonstrate financial need, show maturity and integrity, and be able to serve as a positive role model for other students. The candidate must demonstrate the ability to be a leader on the University campus and the intellectual potential to become a future leader in society. Preference will be given to students graduating from Arkansas high schools.

Walton College Dean Doyle Z. Williams said, "We are very grateful to Tommy and Sylvia for this gift. Not only does this further our goal of attracting top students to the College, but also, it is our hope that these fellowships will be among the most competitive and prestigious awards in the nation." U.S. News & World Report recently named the Walton College one of the top 50 undergraduate business programs at public universities in the country.

UA Chancellor John A. White said, "The Boyers have shared their success and abilities with the University in many ways. These fellowships reflect their concern for students in need - who might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend the Walton College. The Boyers’ generosity supports a major University goal: to increase the size and quality of the student body."

Mr. Boyer said, "We like the direction that Chancellor White is taking the University, and we especially like the positive things that have happened since Dean Williams joined the College. Sylvia taught for 10 years, and we’ve been very interested in helping young people, particularly those who have financial barriers in getting a quality education."

Over the past 10 years, the Boyers have established seven endowed scholarships across campus in the Alumni Association, the Razorback Foundation, the School of Law, and in the colleges of business administration and education and health professions. In 1989, Mrs. Boyer established the Thomas E. Boyer Scholarship in the College of Business Administration as a 25^th wedding anniversary gift to her husband.

In 1994, the Boyers established the Sylvia Hack Boyer Advising Center in the College of Education and Health Professions, creating a full-service center for counseling, career advising and help for freshmen and sophomores.

Lifetime members of the Arkansas Alumni Association, the Boyers funded the Alumni Hall in the new Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House. The Alumni Association recently honored them with the Andrew J. Lucas Community Service Award.

Mr. Boyer graduated from the UA College of Business Administration in 1964. During his time at the U of A, he became an All-American basketball player and held four NCAA scoring records. This past September, he was inducted into the University of Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor.

After 26 years as a sales representative with Eastman Kodak Company, he retired in December of 1989. During his tenure with Kodak, he was the only sales representative in the history of the company to exceed his sales goals for 26 consecutive years. He was named outstanding account representative in 1978 and led the company in sales in 1985.

In January of 1990, he purchased Micro Images, a small company in Lubbock, Tex., and built it into the largest Kodak imaging hardware and software reseller in the United States. Micro Images is the leader in its industry with revenue 30 times larger than in 1990. Mr. Boyer credits his high school coach, the late Gayle Kaundart, and the lessons he learned under him on the basketball court for his business success. The Walton College recently named Mr. Boyer "Entrepreneur of the Year."

When the Boyers’ daughter attended at the University of Arkansas, they were encouraged to become active in philanthropy at the University. Melissa Ann Boyer, B.S.E.’90, B.S.B.A. ’92, works with her father at Micro Images.

Mr. Boyer has served on the National Development Council and the University of Arkansas Foundation Board of Trustees and now serves on the Walton College’s Dean’s Executive Advisory Board, Arkansas Business Hall of Fame selection committee, and as a guest lecturer at the Walton College.

Mrs. Boyer, a native of Alton, Ill., graduated in 1963 with a B.S.E. in health sciences, biology and physical education. In 1962-63, she received the outstanding sports manager award, one of two top awards presented to a graduating senior by the Women’s Health and Physical Education Department.

She taught in the Fayetteville and Amarillo public schools and was an instructor at West Texas State University in Canyon, Tex. Throughout her life she has sustained a strong interest in children and education. In 1990, Mrs. Boyer became the first chair of the Dean’s Development Council in the College of Education. She is a charter member of the Old Main Society and the Chancellor’s Society and is a member of the Razorback Foundation Wild Hogs and the National Development Council.

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