Brewer Gives Back To Fulbright College
By Harold McIlvain II
Lemke Ledger Staff
Former Arkansas Razorback basketball player and journalism major Ronnie Brewer gave $50,000 last fall to the African-American studies program in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Science.
The gift will support scholarships for students enrolled in the program who are also interested in the journalism field.
Former Hog Ronnie Brewer has
gone on to success in the NBA,
but he hasn't forgotten his roots
as a journalism major at the
university. — Photo provided
Charles Robinson, director of the African-American studies program, said Brewer's donation shows his commitment to the future of the institution.
“I am grateful for his generosity,” Robinson. “I look forward to awarding the scholarship money. It really can make all the difference for many of our students.”
Brewer said he wanted to make the gift to help the state and university.
“I know how great Arkansas is,” Brewer said in a statement released by the UA. “You have to know where you’re from to know where you’re going. And I want to represent my roots and my upbringing to the best of my ability. Giving back to the state’s university is one way I think I can do that.”
Brewer said he hopes the money would attract more minorities to the up-and-coming program.
“Our state is diverse, and we need to reflect that on our campus,” Brewer said. “It shows that I am a very proud Arkansan and I believe in the future of the University of Arkansas.”
Brewer, who left Arkansas after his junior year and was selected No. 14 overall by the Utah Jazz in 2006, recently finished his third regular seasonin with 13.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and a team-high 1.7 steals per game for the Jazz. Brewer and the Jazz returned to the playoffs during the 2008-2009 season.
Former teammate Jonathon Modica said he wasn’t surprised by Brewer's donation.
“Ronnie is a great guy,” Modica said. “Anyone that has been around him knows that. I don’t think it is the last of it now that he is doing very well playing professional basketball. I’m just happy that he realized that this institution helped shape him.”