UA receives multiple Land of Opportunity campaign donations

University of Arkansas alumni recently contributed $225,000 to the Land of Opportunity Scholarship^[1] campaign. As of July 31, the campaign had raised 66% of its goal in 25% of the time through more than $132.83 million in pledges and commitments.

The Land of Opportunity Scholarship campaign is a three-year initiative to further educational access for students from all 75 Arkansas counties, improve graduation rates and foster engagement between the UA and Arkansas businesses.

UA alumni Chip and Suzanne Beard contributed $100,000 to the scholarship campaign. The gift will help fund annual scholarship awards beginning with the inaugural cohort of Land of Opportunity scholars in fall 2026.

Chip Beard is a partner and wealth advisor with Waverly Advisors in Peachtree City, Ga. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in business administration from the Sam M. Walton College of Business. Suzanne Beard earned a bachelor’s degree in home economics from the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences and earned credentials as a registered dietitian from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock.

UA alumni Meredith and Aaron Dunn gave $100,000 to the scholarship endowment. Aaron Dunn is managing director of Morgan Stanley where he is co-head of Value Equity business. He started his career in the investment management industry in 1999. The Dunns reside in Needham, Mass., with their four daughters. Aaron Dunn earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Sam M. Walton College of Business and a master’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Meredith Dunn earned double degrees in Spanish and communications from the UA Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.

UA alumna Kathleen Riggs gave $25,000 to the scholarship endowment in memory of her parents, alumni Marion McKay “Mac” Riggs and Virginia Breit Riggs. Kathleen Riggs is a retired educator who most recently worked as a counselor at Rogers High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in dducation from the College of Education and Health Professions.

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