Three Colleges to Benefit From Buerger Gift

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Students from three colleges on the University of Arkansas campus will benefit from a $500,000 scholarship gift from N.W. "Chip" Buerger.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Three scholarships will be established in three colleges at the University of Arkansas thanks to N.W. “Chip” Buerger from Dripping Springs, Texas. Buerger is contributing a $500,000 planned gift that will benefit numerous students by creating endowed scholarships in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Engineering and the Sam M. Walton College of Business.

“Mr. Buerger is an outstanding friend of the University of Arkansas, and scholarship support is an excellent investment in our success,” said Chris Wyrick, vice chancellor for university advancement. “Student support is essential to increasing the number of bachelor’s degree holders in our state, and this gift will allow us to continue to attract the best and brightest – and to retain them as well. We appreciate Mr. Buerger recognizing this need and impacting multiple colleges with this generous gift.”

The N.W. “Chip” Buerger Endowed Scholarship in the Arts and Sciences, the N.W. “Chip” Buerger Endowed Scholarship in Engineering and the N.W. “Chip” Buerger Endowed Scholarship in Business will each provide financial assistance to undergraduate students demonstrating financial need in their respective colleges.

Buerger chose these designations because of the role each played in his life. “I chose business because of the way I made my living,” he said. “Business educated me on how to do tasks, how to lead, how to mentor and how to teach. My business education provided the building blocks – along with hard work – to make my three careers successful.

“Engineering was chosen because of the basic discipline of the field and the different methods of problem solving that have served me well in my three careers. And, finally, I chose Fulbright College because I love and collect art. Building homes was creative and fulfilling, so I wanted to give back to others pursuing creative endeavors.”

Born in Boston and raised in Kingston, Ontario, and Carmel, California, Buerger earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and an M.B.A. from George Washington University. After being deployed for two tours abroad during the Vietnam War, Buerger became a professor at the National Defense Intelligence College, now the National Intelligence University, in Washington, D.C.

When Buerger eventually resigned from the Navy, he was recruited by IBM and subsequently created a construction company on the side, building custom homes. After leaving IBM to concentrate on his growing company, his primary building focus switched to ranches.

“I have benefitted greatly in my career by educational opportunities,” said Buerger. “My endowment to the university, hopefully, will allow students the opportunity to get an education that will help them all their lives and will be the base of their careers. I hope my contribution will help the university grow and continue to attract deserving bright students.

“I really do admire and respect the university,” he continued. “The growth of the campus and the academic programs over the past five years has been impressive.”

Buerger’s wife, Frances Vestal, is a graduate of the University of Arkansas and was involved with Chi Omega sorority. She and Buerger are life members of the Arkansas Alumni Association and are both included in the Towers of Old Main, a recognition society for the university’s most generous benefactors.