FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.- Bill and Susan Montgomery have made a $250,000 gift commitment to fund scholarships at the University of Arkansas.

As a student, Mr. Montgomery majored in finance and was member the football team prior to earning a B.S.B.A. in 1971. He was also a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity.

 

Susan Montgomery attended the University of California at Berkeley.

 

Mr. Montgomery began his investment career in New York, but has lived in Dallas for a number of years. He is a member of the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century Steering Committee and chairman of the North Texas Region Committee.

"We are most grateful to Bill and Susan Montgomery for the support these scholarships will provide," UA Chancellor John A. White said. "Bill Montgomery is very much a part of the history of the University of Arkansas so it's particularly meaningful that he and Susan have chosen to continue to support the University. As we rise to meet the challenge for the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century, raising funds to provide opportunities to increase the size and quality of our student body is of even greater importance. The University of Arkansas is most fortunate to have the Montgomerys as friends and supporters. Their scholarship support will contribute significantly to us achieving our vision of a nationally competitive student-centered research university serving Arkansas and the world."

 

Vice Chancellor for University Advancement G. David Gearhart said, "I'd like to thank Bill and Susan Montgomery for making this gift. We are as grateful for their generosity to the University as we are for Bill's leadership and volunteer service to the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century."

Bill Montgomery's involvement with the University of Arkansas includes his past participation on the Walton College Deans Executive Advisory Board and the Walton College Dean's Circle. He has also been inducted into the University of Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor and the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame.

 

Chuck Dicus, president of the Razorback Foundation, Inc., and former Razorback teammate of Montgomery's said, "Bill Montgomery is a longtime close personal friend. He was my former roommate at the University of Arkansas. He has a deep affection for the University - in academics and athletics - and he and Susan have made a wonderful gift to endow scholarships that will certainly make a difference now, and for future generations of University of Arkansas students."

Bill Montgomery said, "The University of Arkansas and the State of Arkansas have had such a positive impact on my life that Susan and I are honored to be part of this great Campaign. With the incredible generosity of the Walton Family we wanted to be part of this giant leap forward for the school and the state. I'm confident that as we continue with the success of the Campaign that we'll continue to attract the interest and support of alumni and friends in the north and central Texas region."

 

The Montgomerys have four sons, one of whom is a UA graduate.

 

Started in 1998, the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century is a seven-year effort to raise $900 million in private gift support by June 30, 2005. Campaign funds are being used to help the University achieve its vision for the twenty-first century. Campaign funds are being raised for six critical areas of need: endowed faculty positions, scholarship funds, academic programs, University Libraries, academic facilities and equipment and annual giving.

 

As of April 30, 2002, the Campaign had raised $612.5 million in gifts and pledges. Of the $900 million Campaign goal, $300 million is being raised as part of what's being called the $300 Million Challenge, in response to the Walton family's condition that the University of Arkansas match their $300 million gift. All gifts made to academics and academic support programs since Jan. 1, 2002, will be counted toward the Challenge. Between Jan. 1, 2002 and April 30, 2002, the University of Arkansas had raised $16 million toward the $300 Million Challenge.

 

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