Then & Now: Fundraising success, relationships part of Power’s career highlights

Mark Power, who has been part of fundraising efforts at the University of Arkansas since 2001, is proud of his 23 years of work that has helped raise billions of dollars for the university. He’s also quick to note there is yet more that needs to be done.

Power, 54, who was in the 2009 Northwest Arkansas Business Journal Forty Under 40 class, began July 8 as assistant dean for philanthropy in the UA’s Sam M. Walton College of Business.

The Fayetteville native graduated in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Texas at Arlington. He joined the UA in 2001 as director of development in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences. He helped the college raise $98 million during the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century.

Power would eventually be promoted in 2009 as the college’s executive director of development and principal gifts. In 2011, he was named assistant vice chancellor for development, and in 2013, would rise to associate vice chancellor for University Development. He would then work as vice chancellor of university advancement from 2017 to 2023. His job prior to moving to Walton College was senior advisor for philanthropic initiatives and national director of philanthropy.

“I’ve been able to work with some great people here at the university, not only faculty and staff but alumni and friends, people who love the University of Arkansas. It’s just been great, honestly. I couldn’t ask for a better career than what I’ve had here in the last 23 years,” Power said in a recent interview.

Power said a highlight of his UA career was the six-year “Campaign Arkansas” effort that raised $1.45 billion between 2012 and 2020. The fundraising tally was an achievement, especially considering that the initial goal was $1 billion, but Power said he also treasures working with all the people involved.

“Obviously, we had a ton of help. It was all about the donors and the alumni and friends who wanted to give back during that time. We really made, I think, a real impact on the number of new scholarships created, the new faculty endowments that were created. … Raising $1.4 [billion], almost $1.45 billion, was just a real highlight to be a part of that,” Power said.

Another highlight Power noted is having mentors guide him through a successful career at the university. The mentors he specifically cited were UA Chancellor Charles Robinson, Vice Chancellor Scott Varaday, and Sandy Edwards, a senior advisor for UA advancement and former executive at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

He said a challenge during his time at the UA was the 2008-2010 period when the country was entering and trying to recover from a financial crisis created in large part from lax mortgage rules. Power said a lot of people – alumni and donors included – pulled together, and they were “able to come back and rebound.” He sees fundraising, in good times and tough times, as a critical part in pursuing the university’s mission that includes student support, entrepreneurial efforts, and advanced research.

“We are always in need of more financial support, because we really want to do all we can for our students and our faculty, and just have great buildings, have great facilities. … It’s constantly what we’re thinking about, you know, what’s next and the next level,” Power said.

The next step for Power that began in July has recharged his batteries and allows him to work with a university leader who has risen through the ranks — including being a new university student.

“This new opportunity here at Walton College is really fulfilling for me. I’ve known the new dean here, Brent Williams, for 30 years. I knew him as a freshman in college, so being able to see his career develop and knowing the great things he is going to do as dean for Walton College was a very exciting reason for me to want to come over and join his team,” Power said, adding that it’s an honor to work at one of the top 25 business colleges in the nation.