FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Horse enthusiasts Ben and Nancy Israel of Fayetteville will provide $108,000 to establish a scholarship in the Dorothy E. King Equine Program at the University of Arkansas.

The Jasper Springs Stable Equine Scholarship will be awarded to eligible students working toward either an undergraduate or graduate degree in animal science, with emphasis in the equine program in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences. The scholarship will provide $4,000 annually.

UA Chancellor John A. White said, "This is great news for University of Arkansas students - especially those working toward a degree in animal sciences. Our equine program is growing in size and reputation every year and the Israels’ gift will ensure we are able to provide significant opportunities for outstanding graduate and undergraduate students to receive a quality education."

Ben Israel is an optometrist-turned-developer in Northwest Arkansas, and owner of Dixie Development Co. in Springdale. He has developed such commercial areas as Commerce Park and the still-under-construction Business Park on Joyce Boulevard in Fayetteville. Nancy Israel does interior design for the buildings owned by the company.

The Israels’ affinity for horses began when a friend needed a place to pasture his horses. The couple lives on 40 acres of property and they were able to accommodate the friend’s animals. Over the past four years, the Israels have become interested and actively involved in horsemanship. They built a stable and named it Jasper Spring Stable after their property.

Nancy Israel said, "Once we became involved with Missouri Fox Trotters, we then began attending events at the Pauline Whittaker Arena and getting to know Dr. [Nancy] Jack. We discovered that the University is getting some top-notch personnel in the equine program and we wanted to be sure the University is also able to attract top-notch students. It was unfortunate that the outstanding students were being lured away to other universities that could offer better scholarship opportunities. So we established the Jasper Springs Stable Equine Scholarship - naming it after our stable - to keep students here."

The Dorothy E. King Equine Program is a part of the department of animal science in the Bumpers College. The equine program is designed to educate and expose students to all aspects of horse selection, care and management. Students will study genetics, nutrition, anatomy and physiology, diseases, health care, behavior and training, legal issues, business aspects and merchandising.

Greg Weidemann, dean of the Bumpers College, said, "We are thrilled that the Israels have chosen to establish this scholarship. The benefits of this gift will be seen throughout the equine program and, in fact, it will enable us to provide support for a qualified student as early as next fall."

Nancy E. Jack, director of the Dorothy E. King Equine Program, said, "The D. E. King Equine program is offering students one of the most innovative programs in the country. However, to be able to compete with the other first rate programs we have to be able to match their scholarship opportunities. Ben and Nancy’s generous support will help us draw the very best students."

The Campaign for the Twenty-First Century is a six-year effort to raise significant gifts from private sources for the University of Arkansas. Campaign funds are being used to help the University achieve its vision of emerging as a nationally competitive, student-centered research university serving Arkansas and the world. Campaign funds are being raised for six critical areas of need: endowed faculty positions, scholarship funds, academic programs, University Libraries, construction of new academic facilities and annual giving.

Between July 1, 1998, and Feb. 28, 2002, the Bumpers College and the Division of Agriculture have received $38.9 million in gifts and pledges toward their $69.3 million Campaign goal.

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