Surrounded by family, friends, students, colleagues and members of the agricultural community, Arkansas State University-Beebe celebrated a gift from the Rice family to endow the Chuck Wisdom Jr. Agricultural Heritage Scholarship, ensuring Chuck Wisdomโs passion for agriculture and student success will continue to impact generations of students for years to come.
The scholarship, which was initially established in March 2025, reached endowment level through a generous gift from the Rice family, whose contribution brought the fund to the level needed to establish the scholarship in perpetuity. The endowment will provide annual scholarship support to ASU-Beebe students pursuing degrees in agriculture, creating a lasting tribute to Chuck Wisdom, whose influence reached far beyond the classroom.
The Rice family has long been a dedicated supporter of ASU-Beebe and its mission of transforming lives through education. Their gift reflects not only commitment to agricultural education but also the deep friendship and admiration they shared with Wisdom, whose influence continues to be felt by students, fellow educators and the agricultural community across Arkansas.
The check presentation was a heartfelt gathering as members of the Wisdom family joined the Rice family, ASU-Beebe leadership, agriculture faculty, students, alumni and community supporters to celebrate Wisdom's remarkable life and legacy. Among those attending were members of the Wisdom family, Butch Rice and his sons, Colt and Garland Rice, agriculture instructors Caroline Lester and Bailey Crane, students Kasey Fraley, Augustus Harris and Skylar Acebedo, and additional agriculture students whose lives continue to be shaped by the program Wisdom loved so dearly.
Throughout the event, stories were shared of Wisdom's unwavering dedication to his students, his love of agriculture, his servant's heart and the countless lives he influenced across Arkansas.
"There are very few people who leave the kind of legacy Chuck Wisdom left behind," said Andrea Cole, associate vice chancellor for institutional advancement at ASU-Beebe. "Chuck didn't just teach agriculture โ he taught integrity, hard work, humility and service. He believed in his students long before they believed in themselves, and his influence can still be seen in farms, businesses, classrooms and communities across this state. The Rice familyโs gift ensures his passion for agriculture and education will continue to change lives for generations to come. We are deeply grateful to the Rice family and the many donors who helped make this permanent tribute possible."
During the presentation, Wisdom's mother, Gerre Wisdom, reflected on the blessing of sharing her love of education with her son during their years working together at ASU-Beebe.
"I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to share my passion for teaching alongside Chuck here at ASU-Beebe," she said. "I couldn't have been prouder of the man he became. ASU-Beebe and this community held such a special place in his heart, and knowing his legacy will continue through this scholarship means more to our family than words can express."
For Butch Rice, the gift represented not only support for agricultural education but also a tribute to a treasured friendship.
"Chuck was one of the finest men I've ever known," Rice said. "I was blessed to call him my friend. He invested his life in others, never sought recognition and always put his students first. It is an honor for our family to help ensure his legacy lives on through future agriculture students at ASU-Beebe."
Others who spoke during the gathering expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Rice family and the many donors whose generosity made the scholarship possible. Although the scholarship has now been permanently endowed, the ASU-Beebe Foundation will continue accepting contributions to grow the endowment, allowing Wisdom's legacy to impact even more agriculture students for generations to come.
"Chuck was more than a faculty member, he was a mentor, friend and inspiration to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him," said Dr. Jennifer Methvin, chancellor of ASU-Beebe. "His legacy of service, both inside and outside the classroom, will continue through every student whose life is changed because of this scholarship. That is a remarkable gift, and we are forever grateful to the Rice family and every donor who made this enduring tribute possible."
The Chuck Wisdom Jr. Agricultural Heritage Scholarship is named in memory of Chuck Wisdom Jr., who joined ASU-Beebe in 1995 and faithfully served as assistant professor of agriculture for nearly three decades. Known for his hands-on teaching style and genuine care for students, he transformed the ASU-Beebe farm into an outdoor classroom where learning extended far beyond textbooks.
Those wishing to honor Wisdom's memory may continue contributing to the Chuck Wisdom Jr. Agricultural Heritage Scholarship through the ASU-Beebe Foundation. Additional gifts will strengthen the endowment, increase its impact and allow even more agriculture students to benefit from the legacy of a man who devoted his life to serving others.
Contributions may be made online at www.giveasub.com/givenow
or mail www.asub.edu/donation-form to:
ASU-Beebe Foundation
Attn: Institutional Advancement
P.O. Box 1000
Beebe, AR 72012
Attn: Institutional Advancement
P.O. Box 1000
Beebe, AR 72012
For more information about scholarships and programs offered at ASU-Beebe, call (501) 882-3600 or view the website at www.asub.edu.
Pictured at the Chuck Wisdom Jr. Agricultural Heritage Scholarship Endowment presentation is, from left, Gus Wisdom, Callie Creed, Garland Rice, Colt Rice, Butch Rice, Karen Wisdom, Gerre Wisdom, Chuck Wisdom Sr. and Christi DeLine.
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