Bentonville Couple Pledges $1M Gift to UA Bumpers College

Bob Bogle, the first manager of Walton’s Five and Dime in Bentonville, and his wife Marilyn, have pledged $1 million to the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas.

The Bob and Marilyn Bogle Endowed Deans Innovation Fund will be used for a number of resources for teaching and research, with special emphasis on horticulture, the equine program, entrepreneurship and global experience learning opportunities, according to a UA news release.

“We are extremely thankful for Bob and Marilyn, and their active support of the Bumpers College,” Dean Mike Vayda said in the release. “They have been generous in supporting horticulture, the Jean Tyson Child Development Study Center and our equine program.

The fund will also be used to augment the Bumpers College scholarship program, with preference given toward the recruitment of high-performing.

Bob and Marilyn Bogle already sponsor two endowed scholarships for Bumpers College students: one in horticulture and one Access Arkansas scholarship, which is based on financial need.

In addition to their giving in Bumpers College, the Bogles have contributed regularly to Razorback Athletics with donations to the Bob and Marilyn Bogle Academic Center, an endowed gymnastics scholarship, the Bev Lewis Center and the George Billingsley Tennis Center, according to the news release. They also supported the renovation and expansion of Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium and Baum Stadium. In May 2008, Bogle Park, home of the UA softball team, was officially dedicated.

“The Bogles are pillars of philanthropy on the University of Arkansas campus,” Chris Wyrick, vice chancellor for university advancement, said in the release. “From Bumpers College to Bogle Park and everything in between, Bob and Marilyn have touched the lives of thousands of students at our university.”