Meredith Gift Creates Scholarships

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — J. Conley (B.S.B.A. 1967, J.D. 1970) and Charlotte D. Meredith (M.Ed. 1978, Ed.S. 1983, Ed.D. 1986) of San Antonio, Texas, have committed $300,000 to establish endowed scholarships for the benefit of the College of Education and Health Professions and the School of Law at the University of Arkansas.

Mr. Meredith said: “The education and advanced degrees Charlotte and I received from the University of Arkansas have helped to open doors for us throughout our lives. While we do not have children of our own, we hope in some small way to help open the doors of opportunity for deserving students so they can also achieve their dreams and life goals.”

Mr. Meredith earned his United States Air Force commission through the Air Force ROTC program at the University of Arkansas. He served in the Air Force for more than 27 years as a member of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG lawyer). He earned several major awards including the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, and the Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, to name but a few. He retired as a full colonel and continues to serve as a civilian attorney for the Air Force Services Agency. Meredith is a member of the bar associations of Arkansas, Florida and Colorado.

Mrs. Meredith has dedicated her life to the education of children. Her career began in 1974 as a speech, drama and debate teacher in Little Rock. In 1993 while teaching in Orcutt, Calif., her performing and communications arts inclusion program at Orcutt Junior High was selected by the California School Boards Foundation to receive the Golden Bell Award because they determined it to be the best middle school inclusion program in the “kids at risk” category in the entire state. In 1992 and again in 2004, Meredith appeared in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers as the result of former student nominations. Currently, she is a reading teacher at Alamo Heights Junior School in San Antonio.

Dave Gearhart, vice chancellor for University Advancement, said: “It is wonderful to see married alumni giving back to both individuals’ areas of study. Students in the School of Law and the College of Education and Health Professions are sure to benefit from the newly created scholarships. If the Merediths’ goal was to open doors of opportunity, that is exactly what they’ve accomplished. And, I thank them.”