Warren Stephens knows investing.

The CEO of Stephens Inc. can analyze a prospectus and calculate a rate of return. He learned at the feet of his father and uncle, who built the largest off-Wall Street stock trading house in the country and energized post-war Arkansas.

This is what Warren Stephens said at Thursday night’s It’s Time for UALR gala about his family’s investments in the institution and the returns the community receives:

“Anyone who knows me knows that I am a huge advocate of economic development.  The free enterprise system – capitalism – is the greatest economic invention the world has ever seen. But economic success is not the whole story.  Educational opportunity is essential to making the American dream a reality.  And in our communities … where all of us live and work, UALR is the fuel for the economic engine.”

Debbie Walker knows compassion.

The executive director of the Fayetteville-based Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation is dedicated to finding programs that ease pain and suffering of the afflicted and give hope and opportunity to the less fortunate.

When her own family needed care and compassion for her elderly parents, she found that qualified and available nurses were not easy to find.

“By experiencing the necessity of quality nursing and recognizing the shortage facing our healthcare community, supporting UALR’s nursing program provided a perfect funding opportunity for the Walker Foundation,” she said. “Providing nursing scholarships meets the foundation’s healthcare and education cornerstones and provides dedicated students the opportunity to reach their full potential in their chosen career field.”

Derek Fisher knows opportunity.

The Los Angeles Laker point guard is a three time National Basketball Association world champion, whose peers elected him to represent them as president of the NBA Players Association.

But he said at Thursday’s gala that he knows he could never have reached the pinnacle of his profession without the experiences and education he received at UALR.

“I learned those skills right here in Little Rock at UALR, and I know I am not unique. I know there are other young people in Little Rock who have the talent and the drive and the intellect to reach the top of their game… whatever that game is,” Fisher said.

“I had to leave Little Rock to pursue my dreams in the NBA. But 92 percent of UALR’s graduates stay in Arkansas. UALR’s graduates are the backbone all industry and commerce here. UALR is an excellent investment. That’s why I invest in it.”

When Fisher learned that the Stephens family wanted to build an arena, he wanted to be a part of a structure that would enhance the lives of student athletes, the student population in general, and ultimately our community. Thursday’s gala was held at Fisher Practice Court in the Jack Stephens Center.

Warren Stephens told the gala guests, “When asked his philosophy on charitable giving, my dad once told a reporter, ‘There are only two pleasures associated with money. Making it. And giving it away.’”

“We all know people who have achieved the first pleasure.  We just need them to step up to the second pleasure, and make UALR an essential priority.  Our children and our grandchildren deserve nothing less.”