Pollard Appointed to Board of Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation
SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas (Jan. 16, 2025) – Charles “Chip” W. Pollard III, president of John Brown University, has been appointed to the board of directors of the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation. He replaces Mark Simmons, owner and chairman of Simmons Foods, who retired from the board after 30 years of service.
“Chip Pollard is an excellent choice for the foundation’s board of directors,” Simmons said. “His proven track record in educational leadership and deep understanding of the Northwest Arkansas region will be invaluable to the foundation’s mission.”
During Pollard’s 20 years as president of JBU, the university has received over $365 million in gifts, grown its endowment from $50 million to over $185 million, and completed 23 major building projects.
Pollard also serves on the boards of Arvest Bank in Siloam Springs, Mercy Northwest Arkansas Communities, The Council of Independent Colleges, the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities and Wheaton College.
“I am honored to be asked to serve on the foundation’s board because its good work tremendously enhances the quality of life in Arkansas, particularly through education,” Pollard said. “Mark has served our community in so many ways through his work leading Simmons Food and on boards such as this foundation, John Brown University and the Northwest Arkansas Council. I am grateful for his service and will strive to follow faithfully his example.”
Established in 1987, the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation supports education initiatives and community initiatives in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas.
John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked university (The Wall Street Journal) and top-ranked regional university (U.S. News), JBU enrolls more than 2,200 students from 37 states and 42 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers over 50 undergraduate majors, with top programs including nursing, psychology, business, computer science, construction management, graphic design, family and human services, and engineering. Eighteen graduate degrees are available in business, counseling, cybersecurity, and education.
