Wilson鈥檚 daughter, Kathy Wilson Roberts, made the generous donation to establish the Kenneth Pat Wilson Endowment for Innovative Business Programs in the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock School of Business. This gift marks the third largest gift ever made to the School of Business.

The newly established endowment will serve as a catalyst for business innovation and a driver of meaningful societal impact. It will provide funding for business faculty and staff who develop innovative business education and learning experiences for 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students and the broader community. Additionally, the endowment will support faculty members who apply their business expertise to address pressing challenges faced by businesses and communities.

鈥淭his moment represents the essence of what 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock stands for: empowering students, supporting our community, and driving innovation,鈥� Chancellor Christina S Drale said. 鈥淜athy Wilson Roberts鈥� gift comes at a pivotal time for our university, as we work to set the foundation for the next 100 years of academic excellence and community impact.鈥�

The $1.5 million endowment aligns with 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Centennial Campaign, which has raised more than $210 million toward advancing education in Arkansas. Chancellor Drale emphasized that a cornerstone of this campaign is expanding program excellence, ensuring faculty and students have the resources needed to innovate, inspire, and transform lives.

鈥淧at Wilson was more than a successful businessman,鈥� Chancellor Drale said. 鈥淗e was a true visionary who understood the importance of education in shaping individuals and communities. Through his leadership, generosity, and forward-thinking spirit, he left an indelible mark on this state.鈥�

Pat Wilson, a Jacksonville native, built a lasting legacy of entrepreneurship, education, and community service. His career journey was a prime example of hard work and vision. Starting as a dishwasher making 25 cents an hour, he put himself through college, later serving as a captain in the U.S. Army during World War II. Upon returning to Arkansas, he played a pivotal role in shaping Jacksonville鈥檚 business landscape. He founded Jacksonville State Bank, now First Arkansas Bank and Trust, and was instrumental in securing funding and land for the construction of Little Rock Air Force Base.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not often that we have the privilege of celebrating someone whose life鈥檚 work has touched so many aspects of our community and state,鈥� Provost Ann Bain said. 鈥淧at Wilson was a pioneer, a leader, and above all, a person who saw potential where others may have seen obstacles. Pat鈥檚 visionary efforts have shaped the region we know today. He founded businesses in multiple industries, advised aspiring leaders, and championed education.鈥�

The 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock School of Business already houses the Kenneth Pat Wilson Center for Economic Education, which reflects his enduring passion for finance, economics, and student success. The new endowment will further strengthen the university鈥檚 role in fostering business innovation and industry collaboration.

Dr. Mark Funk, director of the School of Business, highlighted the significance of the endowment in shaping the future of business education at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

鈥淭he Kenneth Pat Wilson Endowment will fuel the same spirit of ingenuity and community building that defined Pat Wilson鈥檚 life,鈥� Funk said. 鈥淭his gift will empower faculty to develop innovative programs that meet the evolving needs of our economy while honoring the values that shaped Pat鈥檚 career.鈥�

During the ceremony, a commemorative photograph of Pat Wilson was unveiled and will be displayed in the School of Business to ensure that future business students are inspired by Wilson鈥檚 legacy. Beneath it, a plaque reads:

鈥淭he 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock School of Business gratefully recognizes the lifelong contributions of Pat Wilson to business and education in Arkansas. The Kenneth Pat Wilson Endowment for Innovative Business Programs, established by his daughter, Kathy Wilson Roberts, and her husband, Bobby Roberts, continues his legacy today.鈥�

Wilson Roberts, a double alumna of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, also spoke at the event, reflecting on her father鈥檚 influence and the importance of continuing his work through education and innovation.

鈥淢y dad was a successful businessman who cared deeply for his community and for central Arkansas,鈥� she said. 鈥淭o him, education was the key, and he held that standard high in our family. To honor him with this endowment reflects my respect for his lifelong efforts to make a difference. It is only because of his efforts that I am able to make this gift.鈥�

Funk concluded the event by expressing gratitude to Roberts for her commitment to furthering her father鈥檚 legacy.

鈥淥n behalf of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, our faculty, and our students, we thank you for entrusting us with this gift and for giving us the opportunity to carry forward the work your father so passionately began,鈥� he said.

The event marked a historic moment for 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, reinforcing its mission to drive innovation, economic growth, and positive change for future generations of business leaders.

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University HQ is an online resource for students to find top-rated colleges, scholarships, and potential salaries for their career choices. The site provides information on colleges, entrance requirements and career paths, as well as providing career guides.

University HQ ranked 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock ninth in its . The online Bachelor of Science in Health Education and Promotion is designed to prepare students as well as health professionals in community health agencies, health maintenance organizations, as well as business and industry wellness programs.

鈥淚 am extremely pleased that the hard work of all the faculty members in this program is recognized via this ranking,鈥� said Dr. Amar Kanekar, professor and graduate coordinator of health education and promotion. 鈥淭here is a great potential for graduates of this degree to work in diverse fields in health and wellness, and this degree prepares students to work as community health workers, hospital and healthcare managers, as well as health education specialists in diverse areas such as school, community, and workplace health promotion. They are eligible to attain certified health education specialist certification from the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing.鈥�

Additionally, University HQ ranked 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in its . The School of Business offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics degrees. Courses in economics help students develop logical thinking skills, understanding of applied statistical analysis, and communication abilities, all while preparing students for careers in industry, finance, or government as well as for graduate study in law, business, economics, and public policy.

鈥淲e work with the School of Business and our donors to provide generous scholarship opportunities to our economics students, but our emphasis is on offering students a high-quality educational experience,鈥� said Dr. Mark Funk, chair of the Department of Accounting, Economics, and Finance. 鈥淥ur program provides students the opportunity to apply their classroom economics to the real world, with community projects embedded into our capstone and internship opportunities with local firms and organizations. We host networking opportunities for students to engage with alumni, firms, and government officials. These experiences help students make the connections to build successful careers.鈥�

University HQ uses data collected from , , the and to formulate its rankings, giving weight to the following factors: academics, graduate outcomes, affordability, and reputation and expert opinion.

“Ranking colleges is a process designed to facilitate one of a student’s most important decisions,” said Julia Griebel of University HQ. “While there are many solid numbers we can use and rely on, our goal is to present a fact-based picture of the colleges we rank. This is so we can help students make their best decision for college. Figures like admission rates can help students with reasonable expectations for admission, and retention rates can help them envision how their fellow students value the education they receive. Ultimately, we strive to present an objective and unbiased view of colleges so that students can set reasonable expectations, discover outstanding schools, and embark on a path toward their best lives.鈥�

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Before beginning his MBA, Thombre had a successful career in human resources (HR), which included serving in the Air Force in India in HR, as well as working as a human resources director in the corporate sector. Thombre was drawn to the field of HR by his empathy for others and desire to empower people to do great things.

鈥淚 believe that my internal desire to help people in whatever small way possible is what started me in the field,鈥� said Thombre. 鈥淚 realized that human connection is at the core of everything we do, and that even with limited resources, we can empower others to achieve impossible feats.鈥�

Thombre, despite having already earned his master鈥檚 in personnel management, decided that the next step in his journey was to go back to school and earn his MBA with a concentration in HR. The COVID-19 pandemic provided him with the push he needed to pursue this dream, and Thombre realized that if he kept postponing his dream, he may never achieve it.

鈥淚 quit my job to become a full-time student at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock,鈥� said Thombre. 鈥淚t was a difficult choice to make; leaving behind a stable life to become a full-time student was really nerve-wracking. I had moments of self doubt starting this journey. However, with the support and encouragement from the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock faculty and staff, I could successfully navigate my academic journey.鈥�

Thombre highlighted the instrumental role that 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock faculty and staff played in his success. Student Support Services (SSS) and the School of Business were particularly helpful to him as he navigated this new territory.

鈥淚 got the full support from the excellent faculty and staff. I would like to especially thank Dr. Mark Funk, Dr. Robert Mitchell, and all other faculties who were so supportive and encouraging of my decision to pursue the MBA program. I would also like to thank Dr. David Montague, Dr. Desarae Nelson, and Marty Mayfield from SSS who were constant support in my studies and work.鈥�

During his time in school, Thombre served as a graduate assistant in SSS at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. Gradually, he came to realize his passion for motivating and encouraging students. Thombre chose to continue his work with SSS and started in his new position of success coordinator in January 2024.

鈥淚n SSS, I get to connect with diverse demographics of students which I really like. The program supports first-generation and economically underprivileged students in realizing their dreams of acquiring a university degree,鈥� Thombre said. 鈥淲hile working as a graduate assistant, I realized that I love to interact and motivate students in pursuit of furthering their education.鈥�

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The was started in 2015 with the aim of providing undergraduate and graduate students valuable experience in real estate to launch their careers. Students are nominated for the scholarship by their university and are selected by a panel of judges.

鈥淲hen I found out I had won the scholarship, I was really excited, shocked, and humbled,鈥� said Townsend. 鈥淭his big foundation in a giant city has reached out to a kid from Arkansas and saw my potential. I鈥檓 nervous and definitely want to put forth my full effort. This is a big opportunity. I am excited to learn more about something I鈥檓 passionate about.鈥�

Earlier this year, Townsend was a member of the group of students at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock who won a national Real Estate Challenge in Chicago, also through the Eisenberg Foundation. The challenge connects groups of students at selected universities to a high-profile property development project in the Chicago Metropolitan area. Each team must present a development plan to maximize the property鈥檚 potential. 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock was the Undergraduate Division Winner, receiving $5,000 to support the finance/real estate program at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

It was through the Real Estate Challenge that Townsend first learned about the Scholar Program.

鈥淚t really piqued my interest to learn more about the Scholar Program,鈥� Townsend said. 鈥淎fter we won the challenge, Professor Small nominated me for the program.鈥�

The 10-month Real Estate Scholar Program is focused on mentorship and networking and gives students opportunities to make connections in the real estate industry. Students are connected with a 鈥渟uper mentor,鈥� attend meetings and conferences with industry professionals, go on field trips, and even attend the International Council of Shopping Centers Las Vegas convention.

鈥淭his is a big opportunity to get my foot in the door with networking,鈥� Townsend said. 鈥淚n this industry, it鈥檚 all about who you know and who knows who. Recently, I was able to attend an event in Chicago, and I got 10 business cards from big names in Chicago. This program really gives me the ability to build a network.鈥�

Townsend expressed his gratitude to the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock School of Business, Dr. Mark Funk, and Professor Elizabeth Small.

鈥淚 want to say a big thank you to the School of Business and to Dr. Funk and Professor Small,鈥� Townsend said. 鈥淭hey are the ones who are making this possible for me. They have helped me fund my trips to Chicago and overall have been a big help in allowing me to do this.鈥�

After graduation, Townsend plans to work in commercial real estate and hopes to later attend law school after gaining hands-on experience in the field.

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