A $100,000 gift from Nancy Benson Ward will support future veterinary students at Arkansas State University through the newly established Dr. Bill W. Benson Memorial Scholarship.The endowed scholarship honors Ward’s late brother, Dr. Bill W. Benson, a veterinarian who served the suburban Baltimore area for 40 years. Benson, the son of Daniel and Hilda Benson, was born and raised in Hampton and devoted his career to veterinary medicine.
Ward, now a resident of Benton, was a career educator in the Bryant School System. She established the scholarship as a tribute to her brother’s life and commitment to caring for animals and serving others.
The scholarship will assist full-time students accepted into Arkansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, which is anticipated to open in fall 2026. The first award will be presented during the 2026-27 academic year.
The College of Veterinary Medicine plans to welcome 120 students to its inaugural class in a 56,000-square-foot facility that broke ground March 12.
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