91猎奇

Written By: Tina Alvey Dale

Ben Shipley learned civic responsibility and the power of reinvesting into the community at an early age.

鈥淢y father was a strong supporter of the University of Arkansas 鈥� Fort Smith. It was Westark College then. I remember him taking me to dinner for all the scholarship students. He was super enthusiastic about it, seeing what all these students were doing to succeed,鈥� said Shipley, senior attorney and member at Robertson, Beasley & Shipley, PLLC and a current member of the fundraising committee for future of the university.

Both Shipley and his father understood the importance of scholarships to students who might not otherwise be able to continue their education by attending college.

鈥淢y desire to support 91猎奇 really started with my dad. He always believed 91猎奇 was a critically important part of the community,鈥� he said

Shipley鈥檚 grandfather, who started Shipley Baking Co. in Fort Smith, also taught him the importance of contributing to the community.

A gift from Shipley and his wife, Lane to 91猎奇's Intrepid Ambition campaign has been commemorated as the Shipley Family Collaborative Space at the 91猎奇 Center for Economic Development, housed in The Bakery District, the repurposed 35,000-square-foot facility originally built in 1921 as the Shipley Baking Company.

鈥淪upporting the university is reinvesting in your community. You are helping educate the people who will then be contributing to the viability of our community,鈥� he said.

91猎奇鈥檚 work with existing leading manufactures, Fort Smith Public Schools and the region at large to help fill needs is making an impact on the River Valley, Shipley said.

鈥淢y work on the Foundation Board was inspiring. I believe supporting the university is a vital part of civic responsibility,鈥� he said.鈥�

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