Toller Family Establishes Honors College Fellowships

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — William R. and Jo Ella Toller of Houston, Texas, and the Toller Family Foundation have made a $750,000 gift commitment to establish the Toller Honors College Fellowships at the University of Arkansas.

 The Tollers’ gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar by funds available through the Matching Gift Program to create an overall endowment of $1.5 million. The Toller Honors College Fellowships will be among the most prestigious fellowships offered by the University of Arkansas and will provide funds for tuition, fees and room and board for eligible high-ability students in any academic major. The fellowship has the potential to eventually support as many as six students.

 “This is a wonderful gift from an exceptional family — one with a history of supporting our university,” UA Chancellor John A. White said. “They continue making a difference at the University of Arkansas through their philanthropic support. Their gift of an endowment will allow the University of Arkansas to recruit, in perpetuity, additional high-ability students. What a lasting impact their gift will have!”
 Vice Chancellor for University Advancement G. David Gearhart said: “This is grand news as we approach the end of the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century. We appreciate the Toller family’s continuing commitment to the University.  The Tollers have answered the call for support so many times and we are deeply grateful for this latest generous expression of support.  Honors fellowships are critically important to our university and their gift will support the best students in the nation.  I think this occasion calls for the ringing of the Toller Bell at the Alumni House.”

 The Bill and Jo Ella Toller Celebration Bell at the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni

House was previously named in the Tollers’ honor.

 “Our motivation to make this gift was to give back to a university that did a fine job in preparing me for a successful career,” William Toller said. “Whatever I received from the University of Arkansas gave me an advantage in the business world and this is our opportunity to give back. I also have a great admiration for what is being done at the university, and the institution’s leadership has given Jo Ella and me the confidence that putting money into the institution is a good investment. We’ve seen the university produce graduates with morals, ethics, making the type of leaders that this nation and world needs. We also liked that we could help provide opportunities for the brightest and most able students in the Honors College.”

 William Toller earned his B.S.B.A. from Sam M. Walton College of Business in 1956. He is the former chairman and chief executive officer of the Fortune 500 company Witco Corp. and is currently chairman and CEO of Titan Consultants Inc. He is a member of the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century Steering Committee and the Corporations and Foundations Committee. Additionally, he is a member of the National Development Council and has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Walton College and the Citation of Distinguished Alumni from the Arkansas Alumni Association.

 Jo Ella Toller is president of the Toller Family Foundation. She is involved in her church and has served on the board of Exuno, which provides Christian education through software. She is the owner of Petals and More specializing in interior design and decoration.

 The Tollers’ three children, William R. Toller Jr., Michelle Toller-Augustini and Greg Toller, are officers of the foundation. Additionally, the Tollers are life members of the Arkansas Alumni Association, the 125 Circle, and Towers of Old Main, a University of Arkansas philanthropic organization that recognizes benefactors for cumulative giving of $100,000 and more.

 As of June 10, 2005, the campaign has raised $981.6 million in gifts and pledges.