The Legacy Created When Giving Back
When he arrived at the University of Central Arkansas as a first-generation college student, Gary Bunn ’88 wasn’t sure what to expect. Having grown up in the small town of Crossett, Arkansas, without any sort of connection to college life, he was admittedly overwhelmed when he first set foot on campus.
“I was intimidated,” Bunn said. “I won’t even say ‘a little’ intimidated. I was a lot intimidated. I didn’t have any idea of what it meant to be a college student.”
“One of the things about my experience as a student that I still share with others is just being willing to ask that simple question of ‘what do I do next,’” Bunn said.
Now, he encourages current students to keep that same question in mind during their time on campus. Having been a part of the College of Education for 16 years, Bunn is a shining example of the fact that there is plenty of help to be found at UCA.
In his current position as director of the Office of Candidate Services, Bunn guides College of Education students through all phases of their journey to become highly qualified educators. He assists students with everything from admission into the teacher education program to gaining practical classroom experience as student-teachers. He also helps students throughout the entire process of earning their teaching license.
His goal is to be able to give back to UCA in a way that helps students who are aspiring educators and students who are willing to take on leadership positions. While working through his estate plans, he realized that he could make a much larger impact with a planned gift, which is a charitable donation that allows a donor to plan a gift now that will be realized in the future.
When he passes away, the gift will help fund two scholarships: the Gary O. Bunn Educator Leadership Scholarship and the Gary O. Bunn Fraternity Leadership Scholarship. The first will provide scholarship support for undergraduate students in the teacher education program while the second will do the same for undergrads in fraternity leadership positions.
Bunn hopes his legacy will benefit the students of tomorrow who demonstrate principles like excellence, dedication and service to others.
“In some ways, this gift is my way of both paying it back and paying it forward,” Bunn said. “Paying it back because UCA not only provided me with a great education but also played a big part in shaping the person that I am. And paying it forward because UCA will always have students who are ready to give and grow and contribute to society. Hopefully, my gift will make a difference to future UCA students at a time when they are preparing to make a difference themselves.”