UA Little Rock receives $100,000 gift to honor Dickson Flake

UA Little Rock has received $100,000 to establish an endowed scholarship for Colliers International co-founder Dickson Flake, a longtime commercial real estate developer and supporter of the school. Flake, a member of the state’s business hall of fame, died earlier this summer at the age of 81.

Leslye Shellam, daughter of Flake, one of four original partners of the predecessor to Colliers International, made the donation to establish the L. Dickson Flake Endowed Scholarship during an Oct. 28 reception at the Bailey Alumni and Friends Center on the UA Little Rock campus.

“My father saw a great future for Little Rock. He was an avid Trojan fan, loved the university, and loved the education prospects,” Shellam said. “His goal for the scholarship is to give students the chance to get creative and able to concentrate on his or her vision to bring the real estate industry forth for the city and for the good of all of us who live here.”

The scholarship will be used to provide assistance for education-related expenses, including tuition, books, fees, and room and board, for undergraduate students pursuing a finance degree with an emphasis in real estate in the School of Business.

“My dad lived real estate. He loved it dearly, lived it daily,” Shellam said. “It is so much more than a degree or a title. I think my dad really demonstrated and lived that. He was a true family man, provider, teacher, and always there when you needed him. The company, Colliers International, was his second family. It shows you how whatever you do, the dedication and the ethics that you do it with, expands much further. I am so grateful for the bridge that these families, dad’s and Colliers, continue to impact Little Rock’s future, and I can’t wait to see the results of the students who are embarking on this career.”

Flake also served as a member of the UA Little Rock Board of Visitors for 12 years and served as chairman in 1995 and 1996.