~Smith Scholarship to benefit First Generation Students
Arkansas State University-Beebe announces the establishment of the Gerald "Jerry" Smith Scholarship to assist students pursuing a degree or certificate at ASU-Beebe Heber Springs campus, with preference to students who are the first in their families to attend college.
Gerald Smith of Heber Springs, an alumnus of Arkansas State, pledged an estate gift to endow scholarships to benefit students attending A-State and ASUB-Heber Springs. In addition to the endowed scholarships, the gift funded an outdoor pavilion on the ASU-Beebe Heber Springs campus completed in 2016, which was named the Jerry Smith Family Pavilion in his honor. Smith is a 1961 graduate of Arkansas State University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in
business administration, which led to his success as an entrepreneur in computer sales and service. “I am very grateful to those who supported my efforts to attend college,” Smith said. “I was the first person in my family to graduate high school, and I realize the struggle many students face in attending college. The Heber Springs community is lucky to have ASU-Beebe right here in town”. After college, Smith worked a short time for Arkansas Power and Light Company before being drafted into the military, where he served for two years. During that time, he got married and moved his family to St. Louis to work for Aetna Insurance as a controller and later in 1967, he began working for Honeywell in the computer industry. He remembered an ad in the local paper asking for computer salesmen. In 1988, Smith moved to the Heber Springs area and opened his own computer sales business called Greers Ferry Corporation and a few years later, partnered with a former fraternity member, and started the Exchange Capital in Conway. Smith’s interest in funding scholarships came from seeing the value of education and the support he received in finishing college. As a first-generation college student, he also served as an example for his two brothers to attend college. ASU-Beebe Chancellor Dr. Jennifer Methvin said, “Jerry Smith has been a long-time supporter of ASU-Beebe Heber Springs Campus. His generous endowment for scholarships will help enable many students pursue their education for years to come.” The privately funded scholarship will provide scholarships annually to students regardless of degree area. The amount of the award each year is based off earnings from the endowment. To qualify for the scholarship students must be pursuing a degree or certificate at the Heber Springs campus, can be part-time or full-time status, reside in the city of Rosebud or Cleburne County and be a first-generation student. Students are encouraged to apply for this scholarship, which is being awarded for the first time for the Fall 2021 Semester. The scholarship application is available on the ASU-Beebe Giving website, www.giveASUB.com/scholarships “ASU-Beebe is extremely thankful to Mr. Smith for his generosity which will make education possible for many students who otherwise might not have the means to do so,” said Andrea Cole, development officer/major gifts with ASU-Beebe. If you would like to contribute to the Gerald "Jerry" Smith Scholarship fund, contact the Advancement Office at ASU-Beebe at 501-882-8855 or mail donations to ASU-Beebe, c/o Gerald "Jerry" Smith Scholarship, P.O. Box 1000, Beebe, AR 72012. For more information on this and other private scholarship opportunities at ASU-Beebe, visit our web site at: www.giveASUB.com or call 501-882-8855 Arkansas State University-Beebe is an operationally separate two-year institution under the Arkansas State University system with campuses located in Beebe, Heber Springs, Searcy, Little Rock AFB. and online. The college offers associate degrees, technical certificates and non-credit training for business and industry. Photo Cutlines: Group Photo - Heber Springs businessman Jerry Smith today formally established an endowed scholarship with ASU-Beebe to support scholarships for eligible students from Rose Bud and Cleburne County. The signing ceremony was held at the ASU-Beebe Heber Springs Campus. Pictured (left to right are:) Andrea DeTour, ASU-Beebe Student, Sarah Burroughs, Financial Aid Specialist; Cody McMichael, Campus Operations Manager Heber Springs; Dr. Dianne Tiner Logan, ASUB Board of Visitors/ ASUB-Heber Springs Development Council; (seated) Jerry Smith, Dr. Jennifer Methvin, ASU-Beebe Chancellor; (standing on right) Jeff Baggett, Dennis Devine, Assistant Professor of Business; Andrea Cole, ASU-Beebe Development Officer/Major Gifts; Howard Chapin, ASUB Board of Visitors/ ASUB-Heber Springs Development Council and Mike Gibson, ASUB-Heber Springs Development Council/ ASU Real Estate Foundation Board Member.
Signing Photo - Heber Springs businessman Jerry Smith today formally established an endowed scholarship with ASU-Beebe to support scholarships for eligible students from Rose Bud and Cleburne County. The signing ceremony was held at the ASU-Beebe Heber Springs Campus. Pictured are Jerry Smith and Dr. Jennifer Methvin, ASU-Beebe Chancellor.