UA Little Rock gifted $1.5 million to honor Pat Wilson

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock announced Tuesday (Feb. 11) a transformative $1.5 million gift made in memory of the late Pat Wilson.

Wilson’s daughter, Kathy Wilson Roberts, made the donation to establish the Kenneth Pat Wilson Endowment for Innovative Business Programs in the UA Little Rock School of Business. This gift marks the third largest gift ever made to the School of Business.

The newly established endowment will serve as “a catalyst for business innovation and a driver of meaningful societal impact.”

It will provide funding for business faculty and staff who develop innovative business education and learning experiences for UA Little Rock students and the broader community. Additionally, the endowment will support faculty members who apply their business expertise to address pressing challenges faced by businesses and communities.

“This moment represents the essence of what UA Little Rock stands for: empowering students, supporting our community, and driving innovation,” said UA Little Rock Chancellor Christina Drale. “Kathy Wilson Roberts’ gift comes at a pivotal time for our university, as we work to set the foundation for the next 100 years of academic excellence and community impact.”

The $1.5 million endowment aligns with UA Little Rock’s Centennial Campaign, which has raised more than $210 million toward advancing education in Arkansas. Drale emphasized that a cornerstone of this campaign is expanding program excellence, ensuring faculty and students have the resources needed to innovate, inspire, and transform lives.

“Pat Wilson was more than a successful businessman,” said Drale. “He was a true visionary who understood the importance of education in shaping individuals and communities. Through his leadership, generosity, and forward-thinking spirit, he left an indelible mark on this state.”

Pat Wilson, a Jacksonville native, built a legacy of entrepreneurship, education, and community service. Starting as a dishwasher making 25 cents an hour, he put himself through college, later serving as a captain in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Upon returning to Arkansas, he played a pivotal role in shaping Jacksonville’s business landscape. He founded Jacksonville State Bank, now First Arkansas Bank and Trust, and was instrumental in securing funding and land for the construction of the Little Rock Air Force Base.

During Tuesday’s ceremony, a photograph of Pat Wilson was unveiled and will be displayed in the School of Business. Beneath it, a plaque reads:

“The UA Little Rock School of Business gratefully recognizes the lifelong contributions of Pat Wilson to business and education in Arkansas. The Kenneth Pat Wilson Endowment for Innovative Business Programs, established by his daughter, Kathy Wilson Roberts, and her husband, Bobby Roberts, continues his legacy today.”

Kathy Wilson Roberts, a double alumna of UA Little Rock, also spoke at the event, reflecting on her father’s influence and the importance of continuing his work through education and innovation.

“My dad was a successful businessman who cared deeply for his community and for central Arkansas,” she said. “To him, education was the key, and he held that standard high in our family. To honor him with this endowment reflects my respect for his lifelong efforts to make a difference. It is only because of his efforts that I am able to make this gift.”

The UA Little Rock School of Business already houses the Kenneth Pat Wilson Center for Economic Education, which reflects his enduring passion for finance, economics, and student success. The new endowment will further strengthen the university’s role in fostering business innovation and industry collaboration.

“The Kenneth Pat Wilson Endowment will fuel the same spirit of ingenuity and community building that defined Pat Wilson’s life,” said Dr. Mark Funk, director of the School of Business. “This gift will empower faculty to develop innovative programs that meet the evolving needs of our economy while honoring the values that shaped Pat’s career.”