Larry Stephens and his wife, Gwen, of Hot Springs have been giving to the University of Arkansas for 33 years which makes them the longest consecutive donors to the university. Larry and Gwen consider the University of Arkansas to be their home away from home.
“We are a University of Arkansas family,” said Larry, a 1958 graduate of the College of Engineering. “Both of our children graduated from the university, and we are all connected in business and personal relationships to friends we met during our time there. The campus is a fun place to be at any time of the year, but more specifically, the university gave us a good education that makes us want to give something back in return.”
The Stephenses want their gifts to assist with student educational opportunities whether in the form of scholarships, lab equipment or instructor salaries. They want the university to grow its reputation across the nation and around the world, all the while providing students with the best education possible so they are able to secure high-quality job opportunities after graduation.
“All of my memories of the university are fond,” Larry said. “From the fraternity house and sporting events to difficult engineering courses and graduation day, I cherish the time I was a student. I can see the value these experiences had on the rest of my life.
“We are most familiar with the leadership in the College of Engineering and the advancements that have been made there the past few years,” he continued. “This kind of progress can only be made with financial support, large or small, from our alumni.”
As student enrollment continues to increase, private gift support is more important than ever. Scholarship support, student competitions, classroom improvements, technology upgrades and strategic support for up-and-coming faculty all require strong annual support to ensure the success of our students and faculty.
Simply put, gifts through the University of Arkansas Annual Fund directly support engineering students now. Every dollar counts and it put to immediate use. Please visit onlinegiving.uark.edu and make your gift today.