University of Arkansas receives $2 million in gifts

The University of Arkansas recently announced $2 million in gifts to support scholarships, teaching, and, in part, the Land of Opportunity^[1] fundraising campaign.

Alumni Bill and Pat McKamey will give $1 million to create the William R. (Bill) McKamey and Patsy McKamey Endowed Undergraduate Teaching Support Program for the Department of Industrial Engineering.

The gift is expected to “enhance student success by providing critical teaching support for undergraduate courses,” according to a news release. The endowed program will provide the department with resources to hire, retain and train teaching assistants.

McKameys, who met as UA students, eventually settled in Tulsa, Okla., where Bill McKamey became involved in various educational initiatives.

“The McKameys hope the program will help the Department of Industrial Engineering compete with top programs nationally in student success metrics,” the release shows. “The endowment will be administered by the dean of the College of Engineering in consultation with the department head of Industrial Engineering.”

In another gift, the Schoen Foundation contributed $1 million to the UA’s Land of Opportunity Scholarship campaign. The gift was made in honor of William J. Schoen, who led Florida-based Health Management Associates into a Fortune 500 company. Schoen of Naples, Fla., died in 2023. He was 88.

With the gift, the Schoen Foundation joined the Leaders of Arkansas Founders’ Circle, comprising donors who’ve committed at least $1 million to the scholarship campaign.

As of Sept. 30, the campaign raised 68% of its goal in 31% of the time through more than $135.48 million in pledges and commitments. The three-year initiative is expected to increase educational access for students from all 75 Arkansas counties.

“It’s important to us to support institutions rooted in the communities where our trustees live and work,” said Kelsey Sutton, program officer and trustee for the Schoen Foundation. “Partnering with the University of Arkansas and the Land of Opportunity Scholarship aligns closely with that mission. We’re proud to support an initiative that expands access to higher education for talented students across Arkansas by addressing the financial barriers that can stand in the way of pursuing their goals.”

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