University of Arkansas Libraries
Receive Fourth-Largest Gift
The University of Arkansas/Fayetteville Libraries accepted a gift of $28 million April 11 as part of a $300-million pledge to the university from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation of Bentonville, Arkansas. The total gift, one of the largest ever in the history of American public higher education, will be used to establish and endow an undergraduate honors college and to endow the graduate school.
The gift to the university libraries is also one of the largest in its history. Some $24 million will go to a library acquisitions fund to support the increased demands presented by a new undergraduate honors college; the remaining $4 million will be used to update and acquire library materials for an enlarged graduate school.
The foundation was established by the family of the late Sam M. Walton, who created the Wal-Mart stores. UA Chancellor John A. White said of the gift, “What the Walton family has done today will improve life in Arkansas for generations to come, and we are grateful beyond words.”
Posted April 22, 2002.
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