A D VANCES - The Newsletter of the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Foundation | February 2011 | Vol. 3 - No. 1
A G R E AT F R I E N D O F T H E I N S T I T U T I O N Just part of a life of philanthropy, William R. Walker’s service to UA Fort Smith shaped today’s Foundation. By the time he passed away in late November, William R. Walker had done so much for so many that the obituaries and memorials in the papers could only briefly summarize his philanthropy and volunteer service. He played important roles in recruiting industry to Fort Smith and in the development of St. Edward Mercy Medical Center; served in leadership positions for the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce, the Boys Club, Harbor House and many other organizations; and was a member of numerous other boards. His service to the UA Fort Smith Foundation may have been just one item in that long list of achievements, but within the University community it was both deeply admired and deeply appreciated. To Carolyn McKelvey Moore, who launched Westark’s development program in 1987 and grew the endowment to $20 million, Walker was more than a member of the board; he was a mentor and a friend. He joined the board the same year Moore became Executive Director and, she says, taught her most of what she knows about fundraising. “He was warm, gentle, approachable,” Moore says. “I don’t think that he would ever say it, but he really cared for people. I could pick up the phone and talk to him anytime. He was a great friend of the institution and pivotal in getting the Foundation going.” Walker served on the board until 2007, chairing it in 1991 and 1992. In the ’90s, when Westark remained William R. Walker, consummate a two-year school, he almost singlehandedly raised the businessman, dedicated philanthropist, approximately $250,000 a year required to support the and lifelong outdoorsman, on an elkScholar-Preceptor Program, an innovative community hunting trip in Idaho. college version of paid internships. “He personally went around to his peers and made the case for supporting that program,” says Foundation Executive Director Marta Loyd. “He helped get it off the ground.” Throughout his relationship with UA Fort Smith and Westark—as in the rest of his life—Walker worked quietly. “He was a guy who worked behind the scenes,” says Loyd. “He never asked for glory. But people had a tremendous amount of respect for him, so when he came to them, they wanted to help him accomplish whatever was important to him. He saw ways to connect people that others didn’t. That’s how he got things done.” For Walker, philanthropy wasn’t matter-of-fact; instead, it was deeply personal. In fall 2009, shortly before the Foundation’s annual scholarship banquet, he called Loyd to apologize personally for missing the banquet, where donors share dinner with the students supported by their scholarships. It would be the first one he’d missed in nearly 20 years. The only thing that could keep him from it? His wife’s birthday happened to fall on the same day as the banquet. The following week, at Walker’s request, the Foundation arranged a lunch for him to meet “his” students. “That says a lot about W.R.,” says Loyd. “He was just so dedicated to the things he believed in.”
In Memory of Edward E. Bedwell Eloise Bedwell Edgar Bethell Don Flanders Caroline Buergler Brenda and Carl Davis Roy Cannon Nadine Long Norma Jean Daniels Genelle and Dave Newton Walter Davidson, Jr. Inge and James R. Davidson Phyllis Davidson J.D. Edwards Don Flanders Michael Paul Felterman Linda and Buddy Spradlin Gayla Gregory Jo Alice and Steve Dobbs Genelle and Dave Newton Dillon Patrick Gulley Glidewell Distributing Company Jim Hanna Dr. Paul B. and Janice H. Beran Dr. Arleene and Mr. Randy Breaux William England Glidewell Distributing Company Peggy and Jim Hadley Lauri and Tim Mason Dr. Carolyn McKelvey Moore
May 16, 2010 through November 1, 2010
Donnie Pendergraft Gina and Neal Pendergraft Rosemary and Gene Rapley Rachel and Don A. Smith Linda and Buddy Spradlin Peggy and Bill Weidman Tom Harmon Karen M. Harmon Dr. Alfred Hathcock Don Flanders Bob Hough Rhonda and Anthony A. Caton Bobbye J. Hudson Ann and E.C. Goins Danny Inman Genelle and Dave Newton Harper S. Jackson Adele Jackson Luella Krehbiel Chloe J. and Robert Tedder Mary A. Lunney Glidewell Distributing Company Dr. Rick Martin Evelyn “Teddy” and Earl D. Martin Vincent Martini Dr. Paul B. and Janice H. Beran Dr. Amy C. Jordan Millie McGill Dr. Paul B. and Janice H. Beran
Margaret Montague Chloe J. Tedder
Travis Sinclair Glidewell Distributing Company
Christie Gilstrap Morgan Beverly and Dickie Gilstrap Linda and Roger Parker Pam and Mike Phillips
Lucille Speakman Marilyn and Bernard Edison
Stephen Nosoff Reba Nosoff Mable O’Neal Linda and Buddy Spradlin Bill Pendleton Don Flanders Annette Putnam Zonta Club of Fort Smith Katie Putnam Clarisse L. and Bill B. Eldridge Everett Reed Peggy and Bill Weidman Elise Bedwell Ross Don Flanders Joseph Francke Rumsey III Janice and Bob Powell Edward Schneider Pat and Cosby Hodges, Jr. Glidewell Distributing Company Jerry I. Schwartz Glidewell Distributing Company Jeffrey E. Shipley Morrison Shipley Engineers, Inc. (Greg Shipley)
Glen Stamback Linda and Buddy Spradlin Davey “Speedy” Sumners Glidewell Distributing Company Mildred Sutherland Dr. Paul B. and Janice H. Beran Judith Thomas Glidewell Distributing Company Clois Walker Drs. Rosilee and Phillip Russell Claris and Harold Wallace Carol and Darrell Hill Eveleen Wallace Dr. Arleene and Mr. Randy Breaux Yolanda R. Carr Anita and Terry Collier Susan and Ed Devero Carolyn and Charles Hankins Deborah and Jasper Lewis Cindy and Paul Rainwater UAFS Student Success and College Preparatory Dr. L VanOsdol Larry Weigand Dr. Jill and Ignacio Guerra Dr. Gabriel and Tami Matney Drs. Katherine R. and Daniel F. Pinzon Dr. Myron Rigsby and Dr. Carolyn Holdsworth
In Honor of Pam Blesch Jo Alice and Steve Dobbs
Mark Horn Jo Alice and Steve Dobbs
Genelle Newton Tammy L. Tally
Anne Turner Evelyn and Finley Turner
Lynn Coleman Peggy Weidman
Felicitas Ladage Evelyn and Finley Turner
Donnie Pendergraft Jo Alice and Steve Dobbs
Dr. Edward C. White, Jr. Karen K. White and Edward C. White, Sr.
Dr. T.A. Feild III Katherine B. Feild
Robert E. Miller Jo Alice and Steve Dobbs
Physical Plant Staff Jo Alice and Steve Dobbs
Finance & Procurement Services Staff Genelle and Dave Newton
Lynn Nancarrow Evelyn and Finley Turner
Frances Raynor Peggy and Bill Weidman
University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Foundation, Inc. • 5210 Grand Avenue • Fort Smith, AR 72903 • 479-788-7020