FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — In 2005, Wallace and Jama Fowler of Jonesboro made a $1.75 million gift commitment toward the construction of a university chancellor's residence on the University of Arkansas campus. And, at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, the university will begin construction. The groundbreaking ceremony will take place on the corner of Razorback Road and Maple Street, the site of the future residence.

G. David Gearhart, vice chancellor for University Advancement, said: “To effectively greet and entertain the university’s most important visitors and guests — donors, state and federal legislators, foreign dignitaries, corporate executives, students and the public — the university needs such a facility. All of our Southeastern Conference peers have official residences that can accommodate large gatherings, as do most major national universities. Many other Arkansas institutions also have presidents’ or chancellors’ residences. They serve as focal points for activities promoting and representing the university.

“The Fowlers have been loyal supporters of the university for many years, and it is wonderful to see their gift put into action. I look forward to the day when this project is complete and the university community can begin to enjoy this much-needed and long-awaited facility,” Gearhart said.

Chancellor John A. White said: “When I first came to the university, there was already a great deal of discussion around building a chancellor's residence. The Fowlers' generosity has enabled us to make our plans a reality. It will mean a great deal to the future of this institution to have a meeting place that is ideal for welcoming visitors and guests to the University of Arkansas.”

Wallace Fowler attended the University of Arkansas and is chairman and chief executive officer of Liberty Bank of Arkansas as well as chairman of Fowler Foods Inc. He was a member of the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century Steering Committee and a member of the Leadership and Principal Gifts Committee. Examples of the Fowlers' wide-ranging giving to civic and social causes throughout Arkansas include the Fowler Center, a multipurpose community center at Arkansas State University, and their support of the Arkansas State University Museum. Jama Fowler is an active volunteer in the Jonesboro community. They are members of the University of Arkansas Chancellor's Society.

Mr. Fowler has been a member of the chairman's council of the 2004 Southern Legislative Conference, the Board of Directors of the Arkansas State University Foundation Inc., the Northeast Arkansas Industrial Development Commission, the Governor's Citizens Council on Highways and Transportation, and the Greater Jonesboro Chamber of Commerce, among his many affiliations. ASU named Mr. Fowler the Business Executive of the Year in 2003.  He was honored with the Outstanding Volunteer Service Award at the Governor's Conference on Tourism in 2002.

The Fowlers have three children, Wallace Fowler Jr., Chris Fowler and Mark Fowler.