$1 million gift for UCA to reward scholars

CONWAY — A Little Rock couple donated $1 million to the University of Central Arkansas to start a scholarship fund to support the retention of first-generation college students.

Rick and Anne Massey established the Arch Ford Endowed Scholarship program in honor of Arch Ford, a 1930 graduate of the teachers college that is now UCA. Ford went on to become commissioner of the Arkansas Department of Education from 1953-1978. The university honored him with a Distinguished Alumni Award in 1992.

“Our desire is to increase the retention rates of Arkansans who are exemplary students but who need help financially, and Mr. Ford devoted his life to helping the same constituency. We couldn’t think of anyone better to honor with this gift than Arch Ford,” Rick Massey, a 1981 UCA graduate, said in a university news release Wednesday.

In response to the Masseys’ gift, Joe Ford, son of Arch and Joe Ellen Ford, of Little Rock donated $250,000 to support the scholarship fund.

“My father would be highly honored to be recognized in this manner,” Joe Ford said in the release. “I can think of nothing better than helping students get an education as an Arch Ford Scholar. He wanted everyone to have the opportunity for an education.

Further, UCA will provide a one-time match for those scholarships awarded. Recipients of the need-based scholarships will be designated Arch Ford Scholars.

“We are incredibly appreciative of this gift that the Massey family has provided,” UCA President Houston Davis said. “Arch Ford helped to set the stage for increasing the educational capacity of our state. This gift continues his legacy.”

Rick Massey said Davis’ “commitment to matching this effort dollar-for-dollar exemplifies the university’s continued allegiance to Arkansans with financial need, a population that UCA has served for generations.”

Massey was formerly chief executive officer and president of Bear State Financial Inc.

While preference will be given to first-generation students, scholarship recipients must meet the following eligibility requirements:

■ Pell Grant eligible.

■ A rising UCA sophomore who graduated from an Arkansas high school.

■ Completed at least 15 credit hours with a 2.5 gradepoint average.

The UCA Foundation Scholarship Committee will select recipients during the spring semester each year. Scholarships will be a fouryear renewable award for students who maintain a cumulative 2.5 GPA.

The number of scholarships awarded and the dollar amount of each may vary.

Davis said in an email that students may apply in the spring semester of their freshman year.