Wallace, Jama Fowler Pledge $2.93 Million to UA

Longtime University of Arkansas supporters Wallace and Jama Fowler of Jonesboro have donated $2.93 million to be used for the second phase of construction of the chancellor’s residence on the UA campus in Fayetteville.

The residence, known as the Wallace W. and Jama M. Fowler House, will soon begin construction of the Fowler House Garden and Conservatory, adding to its capacity to hose special functions and events.

The project is subject to approval by the UA Board of Trustees.

 “Jane and I have been honored to live in Fowler House for the last six years,” Chancellor David Gearhart said in a news release. “It has been an incredible residence and superb venue for hosting dignitaries and events. The Fowler House Garden and Conservatory, which was included as phase two in the original plans, will be a beautiful addition to the house and our campus as a whole.”

Completed in 2008, Fowler House is used to host students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends in a variety of campus celebrations, according to the release.

Since its completion, the house has held more than 800 events, with more than 17,000 guests in attendance. Significant dignitaries have included former president Bill Clinton, former Panama president Ricardo Martinelli and several presidential cabinet members, U.S. senators and governors.

The Garden and Conservatory will be a separate structure designed to hold large seated dinners and receptions, meetings and other events and will have a seated dinner capacity of 120 people, as well as a 300-SF catering kitchen.

Polk Stanley Wilcox is designing the proposed addition. A construction bid has not been awarded and a groundbreaking date has not been set, but is expected for fall 2015 with a projected completion of August 2016.