The Parks family of Prairie Grove was honored Nov. 16 with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Northwest Arkansas Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Pictured from left are Betty Parks, widow of Barry Parks; Susan Parks-Spencer and Karen Parks-Gerwig, daughters of Betty and Barry Parks; David Parks, son of Peggy and the late Donald Parks, and his wife, Pam; Peggy Parks.
December 2, 2007
The Parks family of Prairie Grove is special to the College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas, but that also can be said by the many other organizations the family has supported over the years. The family’s impact on Northwest Arkansas was recognized in November when it was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Northwest Arkansas Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Among its many philanthropic efforts in the region, the Parks family has made contributions to the University of Arkansas vital to the success of its students and its continuing growth as a leader in scholarship and research. Peggy Parks and her husband, the late Donald Parks, endowed two scholarships for the College of Education and Health Professions that each year help students in nursing and teaching complete their education. These graduates go on to care for people in hospital and clinic settings and to teach children from preschool through college.
Reed Greenwood, dean of the college, said the Parks display a spirit and commitment to improving the quality of life of others that exceeds even their financial generosity. They know firsthand the value of higher education, he said.
“Peggy Parks is one of the few people I know who is consistently upbeat,” Greenwood continued. “She’s always passionate and enthusiastic about whatever she is doing. She always has a big smile on her face.”
Donald Parks’ twin brother, the late Barry Parks, and his family, and Peggy and Donald’s son, David Parks, and his wife, Pam, have also been strong supporters of the Ozark Guidance and Washington Regional Medical Center foundations, and the family has given generously to the Arts Center of the Ozarks and other area organizations that improve the health and quality of life of Northwest Arkansas residents.
The Association of Fundraising Professionals presents the lifetime philanthropic award to individuals, families or organizations that demonstrate a lifetime record of exceptional generosity. Recipients of awards from the Sixth Annual Northwest Arkansas National Philanthropy Day were recognized at a luncheon Nov. 16 at the Embassy Suites in Rogers.
Donald and Barry Parks’ grandfather founded the Prairie Grove Telephone Co. in 1906. The company’s dedication to the community was evident from the beginning. Despite declining growth during the Depression, it never disconnected a phone if a family didn’t have money to pay, accepting eggs, vegetables or livestock as payment instead. In 1979, the telephone company became the first multi-exchange telephone company in Arkansas to switch to all private lines for its customers. It is now the largest family-owned and operated telephone company in Arkansas.
Over the years, the Parks continued to help their neighbors, donating land and money for health facilities and charitable organizations in Prairie Grove. Peggy Parks influenced hundreds of children in the community through her work as a teacher in the Prairie Grove School District. These contributions make up a legacy that continues to benefit the rural community in Washington County where the Parks live as well as the entire region.
At the University of Arkansas, in addition to the scholarships endowed by the Parks, a gift from the family created the Parks Family Endowed Professorship in Science and Technology Education in the College of Education and Health Professions. William F. McComas, former associate professor of science education at the University of Southern California, was appointed to the professorship last year. The College of Education and Health Professions is developing a cadre of faculty in the science, math and technology areas, and the professorship was an important part of that effort.
“Science and math educators are vitally important in building the economy of Arkansas,” said Dean Greenwood. “We want to help public schools prepare students to be strong in science, math and technology programs.
“Bill McComas is providing significant leadership in our effort to assist public schools.”
