Forrest City Couple Announce $13 Million Planned Gift

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Don and Ellen Edmondson of Forrest City, Ark. will touch lives across the state with their estate and charitable trust gift of $13 million to the following organizations:

• The University of Arkansas School of Architecture, Fayetteville — $10 million
• The Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock — $1.5 million
• Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Little Rock — $1.5 million

Friends and family of the Edmondsons and officials from the three organizations gathered Friday, Feb. 1, at Blessings Golf Club for an intimate celebration of this remarkable gift.

University of Arkansas Chancellor John A. White said: “Don and Ellen Edmondson have long shared their time, energy and resources with the University of Arkansas. This gift will surely transform the School of Architecture, providing funds for the school to continue raising the bar on their already nationally recognized programs.”

“The Edmondsons have shown great leadership in many statewide organizations, including the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at UAMS. We thank them for their foresight in establishing this planned gift, which will provide significant funds for cancer research and treatment for many years to come,” said UAMS Chancellor I. Dodd Wilson, M.D.

“This gift from the Edmondsons comes from their generous spirits,” said Dr. Jonathan Bates, president and chief executive officer of Arkansas Children's Hospital. “Don has provided outstanding leadership and service as a member of the Foundation Board for the past decade. We have been so fortunate to have his thoughtful counsel and fundraising support. As long-time friends and donors to ACH, this extraordinary couple has decided in one more way to help children — those that cannot help themselves. Future generations of children will benefit from the Edmondsons’ vision and compassionate hearts.”

A 1958 graduate of the University of Arkansas College of Business, Don Edmondson credits a freshman arts appreciation course for sparking his interest in architecture. Fay Jones, the late prize-winning architect and professor of architecture, lectured on Louis Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright and his own work, giving Edmondson his first taste of modern design.

“I was so struck by his art and architecture — it was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen,” Don Edmondson said. “He inspired me to aspire, to do well in life, to reach those goals that I wanted to reach. And on top of that list was to live in a Fay Jones home.”

Fay Jones eventually did design Don and Ellen Edmondson’s Forrest City home, and over time a deep friendship developed between the Edmondsons, Fay Jones and his wife Mary Elizabeth (“Gus”) Jones. The gift to the School of Architecture, Edmondson said, is “to honor Fay and Gus and what they have meant in our lives, and hopefully to inspire other people to support the school and its mission. I hope that the gift will inspire people to give not just money, but their time and talents as well.”

The Edmondsons have generously shared their time and energy through the years, opening their home for parties and events. Don Edmondson chaired the School of Architecture’s Campaign Committee and also served on the University of Arkansas Campaign for the Twenty-First Century Committee. He currently serves on the University of Arkansas Board of Advisors and has pledged to help the School of Architecture raise funds for a possible addition to Vol Walker Hall.

Edmondson also has served on the foundation fund board of the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute for 18 years and the foundation board of the Arkansas Children’s Hospital for 12 years.

“It’s been very fulfilling for Ellen and me, in the latter part of our lives, to share our resources,” he said. “This gift ensures that everything we’ve worked for will help somebody else.”

Don and Ellen Edmondson have long been friends and benefactors of the School of Architecture. In 1999 the Edmondsons endowed the Fay Jones Chair in Architecture, which brings nationally respected architects and teachers to the School of Architecture to work with students and faculty. The endowment also supports the processing of Jones’ papers, which are housed in the University of Arkansas Libraries department of special collections.

The Edmondsons also have funded an international scholarship to honor architect Maurice Jennings, a 1973 graduate of the School of Architecture who worked with Fay Jones for 25 years and became Jones’ only partner in 1986. Additional gifts by the Edmondsons have supported Garvan Woodland Gardens, the School of Architecture’s botanical garden in Hot Springs, and the Razorback band. Don Edmondson and fellow alumnus Charlie Whiteside (B.S.B.A. ’63) recently worked together to raise funds for the University of Arkansas School of Law. Their efforts resulted in the dedication of a computer and reading room and an endowed scholarship in honor of their friend, Judge Bobby Fussell.

School of Architecture leaders will determine how best to use the planned gift in the future, said Jeff Shannon, dean of the School of Architecture. “The Edmondsons’ gift will have a huge impact on generations of faculty and students to come. We are very grateful for their generous support of our program.”

“As the university moves forward, valued benefactors like the Edmondsons make our goals of growth and continued excellence possible,” said Dave Gearhart, vice chancellor for university advancement and chancellor-elect. “This gift opens many new doors for the School of Architecture, its programs, students and faculty. We simply cannot say 'thank you’ enough.”

Don Edmondson is retired from directing franchise businesses, which included Kentucky Fried Chicken, a Holiday Inn and Taco Bell. The Edmondsons have a daughter, Jennifer Edmondson.