The former sheriff of Pulaski County and his wife have donated $25,000 to create an endowed scholarship for criminal justice students at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. 

Randy Johnson, who served as sheriff of Pulaski County from 1995 to 2006, and his wife, Dr. Dianne Johnson, a retired radiologist at Baptist Health Medical Center, established the scholarship to help students gain professional education for their careers.

“Having worked in law enforcement for over 30 years, I now realize how much that degree helped me attain a level of knowledge and professionalism necessary to do the best job possible,” said Randy Johnson, a 1977 graduate of UALR. “Dianne and I are endowing this scholarship so that others who pursue a career in criminal justice at UALR will have the same opportunity.”

The scholarship will allow the UALR Department of Criminal Justice to support students who are dedicated to their education and a career in public service, said Mary Parker, chair of the department.

“The ability to focus this scholarship on students with financial needs will help us help our students achieve their dreams of a college education and will propel them into their future careers in criminal justice,” Parker said.

For more information on private philanthropy to UALR, contact the Office of Alumni and Development at 501.569.8429.