For Immediate Release

Arnell Willis, Sr. Donates $50,000 Endowment Scholarship to Shorter College

            Former City of Helena-West Helena Mayor Arnell Willis, Sr. established and endowed a scholarship of $50,000 for the Entrepreneurial Studies Program at Shorter College on December 3, 2021. The funds will be held by the Arkansas Community Foundation and disbursed annually to Shorter College. This scholarship will assist with the account balance of any Entrepreneurial Studies Student who maintains a 2.5 GPA, with a priority of selection given to Central High School of Helena-West Helena. 

Mr. Willis, accompanied by his family, Betty Willis (wife), Popi Willis (daughter), Jessica Lynn Richardson (daughter), Arnell Willis, Jr. (son), will present the Endowment daughter at the Shorter College campus on December 3, 2021, in the F. C. James Auditorium. Shorter College President O. Jerome Green received the gift on behalf of Shorter College.

Arnell Willis, Sr. accepted the position of Special Advisor to the President for Economic Development and Program Compliance. Since he has been here at Shorter College, he has found that the Shorter College Second Chance Pell Program has been an insurmountable benefit to the community it serves. Mr. Willis has owned several successful businesses and has spent over 30 years in government, focusing on the redevelopment of the economy of low-income communities. Mr. Willis wants to help others reach their full potential. “I hope that students will know the story of why I have established these scholarships and pay it forward too,” said Willis. “I had extraordinary examples in my life who taught me such valuable lessons, from my mother and aunt to Dr. Hazzard. I hope that these lessons can be passed on.”

Shorter College’s Entrepreneurial Studies Program focuses on business law, finance, and building better business practices amongst its students. Shorter College was established in 1886 by the African Methodist Episcopal Church in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Shorter College has 6 Degree Programs in which graduates can receive their Associate of Arts in Entrepreneurial Studies, Computer Science, Early Childhood Education, Church Ministry and Leadership, Criminal Justice, and General Studies. Shorter College has transferred hundreds of students to many of Arkansas’ Four-Year Institutions, with a large percentage qualifying for scholarships.