College students from Baxter and Marion counties have a new source of financial assistance thanks to a $50,000 endowment established by Judy Strother in honor of her late husband, Lane Strother. The endowment will benefit the University of Arkansas’ Land of Opportunity Scholarship program, designed to expand access to higher education for Arkansas students with high financial need.
The Land of Opportunity Scholarship campaign aims to raise $200 million for targeted scholarships awarded to Arkansas students who qualify for federal Pell Grants, often an indicator of significant financial challenges. Thanks to the Strother family's contribution, the campaign has now reached 71 percent of its goal, with over $141 million in pledges and commitments as of July 31.
Judy Strother has a long history in education, holding bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Ouachita Baptist University and a law degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Lane Strother also earned a bachelor’s degree from Ouachita Baptist, a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Arkansas, and later a law degree. Lane’s military service included work in educational planning for young officers under Gen. George Patton Jr., a role that shaped his advocacy for education access.
In 1981, the Strothers co-founded The Strother Law Firm in Mountain Home, where they pursued their legal careers together. As lifelong supporters of education, they were keenly aware of the barriers faced by students in rural communities.
Judy Strother, commenting on the initiative, said that Pell Grant students often need additional resources to succeed, a gap this scholarship aims to fill. University of Arkansas Chancellor Charles Robinson expressed the institution's gratitude in a recent statement, saying, "The opportunities that education provided helped the Strothers build meaningful lives and careers, and this gift will create similar possibilities for generations of Arkansas students. We are deeply grateful to Judy for honoring Lane’s memory in a way that will have such a lasting impact."
The scholarship program will provide long-term support to students in financial need, ensuring the Strother legacy lives on through expanded educational opportunities for future generations.