The Legacy and Impact of the Iate Dr. H.B. Hardy Jr.’s ’48 Gift to the University
Jase Wicker, a junior business major, has one less thing to worry about as he pursues his degree thanks in part to the H.B. Hardy Jr. Scholarship.
A longtime administrator, alumnus, Sig Tau member, and philanthropist, the late Dr. H.B. Hardy Jr. ’48 understood the value and importance of giving back to students.
“The H.B. Hardy Jr. Scholarship has allowed me to focus more on my courses by lessening my workload,” said Wicker. “This scholarship is very appreciated and will definitely help with my future success, and I am very grateful to have received it.”
Soon, the scholarship will be able to help more students thanks to a planned gift that Hardy left in his estate plans.
After spending four years as a student and graduating in 1948, Hardy worked at the University of Central Arkansas for 36 years. Originally hired in 1956 as director of placement and English instructor, Hardy quickly moved through the ranks.
He was promoted to associate professor and director of General Studies in 1966, and then became dean of Undergraduate Studies in 1969. He served as dean of the Graduate School for 16 years beginning in 1972. Additionally, he served as interim vice president of Academic Affairs in 1975 and was appointed interim president of the university in 1988. He also worked as assistant to the president from 1988 to 1992 before retiring.
In addition to being a member of Sigma Tau Gamma, Hardy later became its adviser during his career at the university. The fraternity, having entertained the idea of establishing a scholarship, established the H.B. Hardy Jr. Scholarship in Hardy’s honor in 1986. However, the scholarship was not awarded to any students until 1995, after it had reached endowment.
Hardy was pleased when the scholarship attained the level of endowment. He was quoted as stating, “If a scholarship is not endowed, then before you know it, all the funds have been used up, and there is nothing left for those who come along later.”
Having been an annual contributor to the scholarship that bears his name, Hardy’s donations have proven to be a crucial component in ensuring the success of scholarship recipients. After his passing in 2017, Hardy left his estate to his scholarship fund to continue providing aid to students.
“I get a lot of satisfaction just from knowing that I helped someone,” said Hardy in a 2017 interview. “People who have had opportunities should help provide opportunities for those who come after them.”
When asked about the impact and legacy of this scholarship on future students, Wicker said, “Scholarships like these can have a positive impact on students’ mental health, their grades, and their ability to manage their time. It alleviates a lot of pressure, allowing students to focus more time on their studies, which is why scholarships like these are so vital to students’ future success.”