Need-Based Scholarship Honors Arkansas Legacies

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James and Marguerite Pomfret

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – When the children of James Edward Pomfret Jr. and Marguerite Humphreys Pomfret talk about their parents, they remember them with laughter and appreciation. Margie, Allison and Jim III reminisce about growing up with the University of Arkansas as a part of their daily lives — playing on campus, getting into mischief and visiting their dad in his office. Later, after his passing, they remember visiting their mother in her office and continuing their deep connection with the university both as the children of staff members and then as students and alumni.

James E. Pomfret Jr. was vice president for business and secretary of the Board of Trustees at the University of Arkansas; his wife Marguerite served as the assistant director of student aid.

In honor of their parents and all they have given to others, the James Edward Pomfret Jr. and Marguerite Humphreys Pomfret Access Arkansas Scholarship will continue to help students at the University of Arkansas for many years to come.

“People know my dad’s name because he was a leader on campus, a Trustee, and has a building with his name on it,” said Margie Pomfret Farber (B.A. 1966), a retired information technology executive. “He was gregarious and outgoing. My mother’s career, though quieter, was just as important. When my dad passed away at the young age of 51, my mother was only 47, and the university community reached out and made a place for her. She loved her time working with students in the financial aid office.”

With a strong sense of humility and a deep love for the Razorbacks, the Pomfrets believed in college and in the potential of every student, so a scholarship seemed like the perfect way to honor their legacies. Their children made a gift of $100,000 to endow the fund.

“When we learned about the Access Arkansas program, it appealed to us because it helps the everyday student who has a lack of financial resources earn a college education,” said Allison Pomfret Thompson (B.S.E. 1968), a retired elementary school teacher. “The average person has the right to go to college, and there’s nothing wrong with being average.”

The Pomfret family believes there’s no place quite like an institution of higher education. It’s where people learn how to learn.

“Students are given the opportunity to blossom,” said Farber. “There’s so much freedom; you’re exposed to so many things; and you have the ability to change direction. We were not top students, and we thrived at the University of Arkansas because we were given the chance to grow and branch out.”

When Jim Pomfret III (B.S.B.A. 1971), owner of a wholesale grocery distribution company in Phoenix, Ariz., graduated from the university, it was the school’s centennial. When Farber graduated, the commencement speaker was Sen. J. William Fulbright. And when Thompson graduated, the speaker was Hubert Humphrey, former senator and 38^th vice president of the United States. They were all a part of the university at meaningful times, and the university holds a special place in their hearts.

“We learned a lot from our parents aside from our love for the university and the Razorbacks,” said Thompson. “We learned strength, persistence, humility and appreciation. They would be surprised and touched that we are choosing to honor them in this way.”

Their father would have a humorous take on the whole situation, according to Farber.

“He’d tell us he wishes we would have done this sooner so it could have helped pay for our tuition!” she said with a smile.

After Pomfret’s passing in 1967 following a brief illness, a local news story reported that “Big Jim” left the university “a rich legacy of pride in an institution he was devoted to and love for the people who make it up.” The article commented on his steadfast open door policy:

“Doesn’t it distract you when people walk in and interrupt your work” a friend asked him once. “Sure it does, but I want them to feel welcome in this office. Besides, what they have on their minds might be more important than what I’m doing.”

James E. Pomfret Jr. had extensive military service in World War II before moving to Fayetteville. He received his bachelor’s degree from the university in 1948, and in that same year, joined the staff as chief accountant. He became vice president for business and secretary of the Board of Trustees in 1958 and served in this position until his death. Pomfret Hall, now known as Pomfret Honors Quarters, was named in his honor.

Marguerite Humphreys Pomfret attended the university for two years where she was a Chi Omega and studied math and science. She worked at the university from 1968 until 1990 and served as the assistant director of student aid. She passed away in 1995. Her cousin, Alan Sparrow Humphreys, was the dean of men at the university from 1937-1945 and was a professor in the chemistry department from 1918-1956. Humphreys Hall was named in his honor.

The Pomfret family, like many families connected with the University of Arkansas, wants to give back as a way of paying it forward.

“Our connection to the university may be unique in some ways, but our goal is to make education available to more students,” said Farber. “We appreciate everything the university continues to bring to our lives, and if we can help more students have that connection, we’ve honored our parents’ legacies for sure.”