Pauline Whitaker – Philanthropy and Fundraising rainmaker

While almost all of our Rogers contacts agreed their town flourishes on the strength of everyone pulling together, it doesn’t hurt having a Pauline Whitaker in your corner.

rWhitaker, tabbed the Rogers Philanthropy Rainmaker, has been especially instrumental in the growth of Northwest Arkansas Community College. An early Wal-Mart Stores Inc. investor, Whitaker has been very generous in her financial gifts to Rogers as well as the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

rIt was Whitaker’s gift that made it possible for NWACC to purchase land for $1 million worth of the existing campus to be used for future growth.

r”Pauline has certainly been very good to us,” said another Rogers insider.

rWhitaker edged out several Rogers citizens who have been instrumental in helping fight for a better community. Barbara Roberts and Dick Trammel were instrumental in getting the Rogers Youth Center implemented.

rAnd another of our contacts said, “If anything good is going on in Rogers, then Virginia Mocivnik must be involved.”

rRogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Raymond Burns, Red Hudson and the Walton Family Foundation, spearheaded by Jim Walton, have also been most generous with their time and support for the community.