Acxiom Corporation has contributed $100,000 to Campaign Arkansas to establish an endowed scholarship for the Office of Global Engagement in the Walton College.
The Jones Family Endowed International Experience Scholarship is named after alumni Jerry and Judy Jones and their children, Grant Jones and the late Barret Jones. The gift was made in memory of Barret, who passed away in 2016, and in honor of the Jones family.
Jerry Jones is the chief ethics and legal officer, executive vice president and assistant secretary of Acxiom in Little Rock.
Scott Howe, chief executive officer and president of Acxiom, said, “We love the university and we love the Jones family. We’re extremely pleased to give back to this institution on behalf of this family, both of which have done so very much for Arkansas and for Acxiom over the years.”
“We are grateful to Acxiom for supporting Walton College students and their desire to gain valuable experience by studying abroad,” said Matt Waller, dean of Walton College. “And it is fitting that this is being done in honor of Jerry Jones and his family, longtime supporters of the Walton College and the U of A. This will open doors for deserving students who might not otherwise be able to study abroad.”
Jerry Jones holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from the Walton College and a law degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law. Jones worked for the Rose Law Firm in Little Rock for 19 years, where he specialized in problem solving and business litigation, before he joined Acxiom in 1999. He is a member of the board of directors of Agilysys Inc. and the Walton College Dean’s Executive Advisory Board. He serves as an at-large director at Heifer International and on the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Board of Visitors. He is also a co-founder of uhire U.S. and is a special adviser to the Club de Madrid, an organization comprised of over 100 former presidents and prime ministers from more than 60 democratic countries.
Judy Jones is also an alumna of the University of Arkansas and holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from the College of Education and Health Professions.
The Jones Family Endowed International Experience Scholarship will support underrepresented students in the Walton College who wish to study abroad or pursue an international experience.
“My family and I are honored that Acxiom established this scholarship in our name, and we’re grateful that they chose such a meaningful way to honor Barret,” said Jerry Jones. “Studying abroad is a tremendous opportunity for young people to experience other cultures and broaden their understanding of the world. Our family is humbled to have our name on a scholarship that will give bright, deserving students the opportunity to fulfill their dreams of an international educational experience.”
