Charles and Susan Zimmerman (far right) with their son and daughter-in-law
Charles Zimmerman and his wife, Susan, were the first people in each of their families to earn college degrees. Both financed much of their education on their own. Charles, who is originally from Tulsa, began his college career as a music major at the University of Oklahoma. After deciding to switch majors, he asked for recommendations on where to study engineering, and was referred by family and friends to the University of Arkansas. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1985. Susan attended the University of Texas at Tyler.
Charles Zimmerman is now the vice president of international design and construction at Walmart Stores Inc. He has been with the company for nearly 20 years and has almost always been involved in real estate, construction and design. For the last seven years, he has worked on capital expenditures for the company’s facilities on an international level.
Because of their experience working multiple jobs in order to pay for their educations, the Zimmermans feel passionatem about helping other first-generation college students facing similar circumstances. Recently, they made a $250,000 gift to the College of Engineering, creating the Charles R. and Susan D. Zimmerman Scholarship in Engineering. This scholarship is directed at first-generation students with financial need.
“We want to make sure opportunities exist for future generations of students,” said Charles Zimmerman.
At the university, Charles Zimmerman serves on the College of Engineering’s Dean’s Advisory Council and is a life member of the Arkansas Alumni Association. He was named a Distinguished Alumnus in the College of Engineering in 2009. Susan Zimmerman is a teacher in Siloam Springs and a “die-hard Razorback fan,” according to her husband.
Despite sometimes feeling skeptical about the state of the world today, Charles Zimmerman says he feels encouraged when he returns to campus. “The students at the university today are more socially responsible than when I was in school,” he said. “Every time I’m around the engineering students in Fayetteville, I feel good about the future. They inspire me.”