Scholarship at UA Law School to benefit tribal citizens

John and Jayne Alford of Fort Smith are creating an endowed scholarship at the University of Arkansas School of Law for citizens of federally recognized tribes indigenous to the United States. Their $100,000 gift will create the John D. and Jayne Alford Endowed Scholarship for Tribal Citizens.

The Affords are UA alumni who said they were inspired from their family background and personal experiences to create this scholarship for students studying law.

“Gifts like this help us to continually enhance our students’ experience while keeping student debt as low as possible,” said Stacy Leeds, dean of the School of Law. “The Alfords are devoted advocates for both the school and the students. We appreciate all they do for us.”

John and Jayne grew up in Fort Smith, attended the University of Arkansas and were married in 1975. They earned bachelor’s degrees, John’s in finance and banking from the Sam M. Walton College of Business, and Jayne’s in journalism from the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, in 1976.

The couple moved to Dallas after graduation where John worked in banking. When they returned to Fayetteville for John to pursue a law degree, he began working in the trust department of McIlroy Bank and remained employed there dyrubg his first year of law school. He then clerked for Fayetteville law firms during his remaining two years.

Due to their experience managing work and school, John and Jayne decided to make an impact on students who need financial assistance to earn their law degrees. This new scholarship will be available to students who are enrolled in the law school and maintain a 2.5 cumulative grade point average. Students who apply for the scholarship will be required to write a three- to five-page essay on the representation of tribal citizens in the legal community.

John Alford is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and an attorney with Hayes Alford Johnson Conley PLLC in Fort Smith.