FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The First National Bank of Green Forest has pledged $125,000 to aid in recruiting and retaining faculty at the Sam M. Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas. In addition, a classroom in the Business Building has been named in honor of the bank.

Stephen E. Stafford, president and chairman of the First National Bank of Green Forest, is a 1972 graduate of the Walton College as are several members of the bank’s board of trustees. He said: “We are all thankful for the education provided to us at the university and wanted to invest back into education. Also, we feel that Dean Williams is doing an outstanding job.”

Walton College Dean Doyle Z. Williams said: “Walton College is blessed with outstanding leaders, volunteers and friends. We’re honored to name a classroom for the First National Bank of Green Forest as it will serve as a reminder to future generations of students that Walton College alumni are successful, appreciated and continue to give back to their communities, their states and to their alma mater.”

The First National Bank of Green Forest Faculty Support Fund will provide funds for salary supplements, summer teaching and research stipends, moving expenses, and other expenses for faculty.

“Many of our talented faculty are constantly being pursued for recruitment by other top business schools,” Williams added. “One of the College’s major objectives is to retain and recruit high-quality faculty for our students, and this gift from the First National Bank of Green Forest will go a long way toward supporting that objective.”

The First National Bank of Green Forest was formed in 1931, and after 73 years of operation it remains a locally owned bank with seven offices in Carroll, Boone and Madison counties in Arkansas. The bank also has a long history of supporting its area communities and schools.