CONWAY -- A Little Rock couple donated $1 million to the University of Central Arkansas to start a scholarship fund to support the retention of first-generation college students.
Rick and Anne Massey established the Arch Ford Endowed Scholarship program in honor of Arch Ford, a 1930 graduate of the teachers college that is now UCA. Ford went on to become commissioner of the Arkansas Department of Education from 1953-1978. The university honored him with a Distinguished Alumni Award in 1992.
"Our desire is to increase the retention rates of Arkansans who are exemplary students but who need help financially, and Mr. Ford devoted his life to helping the same constituency. We couldn't think of anyone better to honor with this gift than Arch Ford," Rick Massey, a 1981 UCA graduate, said in a university news release Wednesday.
In response to the Masseys' gift, Joe Ford, son of Arch and Joe Ellen Ford, of Little Rock donated $250,000 to support the scholarship fund.
"My father would be highly honored to be recognized in this manner," Joe Ford said in the release. "I can think of nothing better than helping students get an education as an Arch Ford Scholar. He wanted everyone to have the opportunity for an education.
Further, UCA will provide a one-time match for those scholarships awarded. Recipients of the need-based scholarships will be designated Arch Ford Scholars.
"We are incredibly appreciative of this gift that the Massey family has provided," UCA President Houston Davis said. "Arch Ford helped to set the stage for increasing the educational capacity of our state. This gift continues his legacy."
Rick Massey said Davis' "commitment to matching this effort dollar-for-dollar exemplifies the university's continued allegiance to Arkansans with financial need, a population that UCA has served for generations."
Massey was formerly chief executive officer and president of Bear State Financial Inc.
While preference will be given to first-generation students, scholarship recipients must meet the following eligibility requirements:
• Pell Grant eligible.
• A rising UCA sophomore who graduated from an Arkansas high school.
• Completed at least 15 credit hours with a 2.5 grade-point average.
The UCA Foundation Scholarship Committee will select recipients during the spring semester each year. Scholarships will be a four-year renewable award for students who maintain a cumulative 2.5 GPA.
The number of scholarships awarded and the dollar amount of each may vary.
Davis said in an email that students may apply in the spring semester of their freshman year.
"Though the endowment and program are being started to allow the first full cohort of Arch Ford Scholars to be made for the fall 2019 semester, we are making attempts this spring to have some initial Arch Ford Scholars for fall 2018," Davis said.
UCA also recently announced the appointment of Mary Bane Lackie to the open position of executive director of development. Her annual salary will be $85,500.
"In this role, Lackie will coordinate all development programs including major gift, annual giving and planned giving programs," Davis said. "She will serve as a principal gifts officer for the university's top prospects while working collaboratively with college development and advancement officers."
Lackie most recently was vice chancellor for University Advancement and executive director of the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Foundation.
Information for this article was contributed by Aziza Musa of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
State Desk on 02/22/2018