Julie Brown Donates $60,000 for New UA Little Rock Accounting Scholarship
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has received a generous $60,000 donation from alumna and longtime supporter Julie Brown to establish a new endowed scholarship for accounting students.
The Count von Count Endowed Scholarship, named after the beloved number-loving character from “Sesame Street,” will provide financial support for students majoring in accounting at UA Little Rock.
“I already have one scholarship in my name, so I wanted to do something different and a little more lighthearted,” Brown said. “Accounting is a serious field, and I figured people might get a kick out of a scholarship named after a character who loves numbers. It’s a fun way to support a very worthy cause.”
Brown, a 1993 graduate of UA Little Rock with a bachelor’s degree in history, now resides in De Queen, Arkansas. Though she ultimately pursued a degree in history, she considered studying accounting early in her college career and used those skills as the owner of her family business, Southern LP Gas.
“There was a need, and I was glad to help,” she said. “I know how challenging it can be to juggle school, work, and life, especially when finances are tight. I hope this scholarship eases some of that burden for students who might otherwise struggle to finish their degree. If it helps just one student cross the finish line, earn their diploma, and take the next step toward building a better future, then it’s done exactly what I hoped it would.”
The Count von Count Endowed Scholarship marks Brown’s latest contribution to UA Little Rock. In 2022, she created the university’s first Chancellor’s Student Excellence Endowment, which gives the chancellor flexibility to fund high-impact student experiences and urgent needs. She also established a scholarship in memory of her grandmother, Lou Ellen Gray, for students from Sevier County, and supported an emergency student fund during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Julie Brown has been a truly remarkable friend and advocate for our university,” said Dr. Mark Funk, director of the School of Business at UA Little Rock. “Her gift to support accounting students reflects her deep understanding of the financial challenges students face today and her ongoing commitment to empowering their success. We are incredibly grateful for her generosity and creative spirit that continues to serve as an inspiration to our students and community.”
Brown’s generous gift is a part of the Centennial Campaign, a historic effort to raise $250 million for scholarships, student support, academic programs, and campus enhancements by the university’s 100th anniversary in 2027. Visit ualr.edu/centennial to learn more about the Centennial Campaign.