UA Alumnus Establishes Real Estate And Finance Chair In Walton College Of Business Administration

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - A former long-time executive in Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s real estate division has committed endowed funds to establish a chair in real estate and finance in the Sam M. Walton College of Business Administration. Thomas Patrick "Tom" Seay of Bentonville has given a total of $4 million to benefit the Sam M. Walton College of Business Administration and the men's basketball and football programs at the University of Arkansas.

Seay, a 1963 graduate of the Walton College, is now president of The Seayco Group Inc., a real estate development firm in Bentonville. He was a distinguished military graduate of the ROTC program and also received his MBA from the University in 1975.

The $4 million charitable remainder unitrust Seay has funded will provide for the Thomas P. Seay Endowed Chair in Real Estate and Finance in the Walton College and the Thomas P. Seay Endowed Dean's Fund for the college. In addition, a part of the gift will benefit the University's basketball program and the football program.

Seay said, "The University of Arkansas played a major role in my career success. Since most of my career has been in real estate and construction, establishing this chair seemed a logical way to support the Walton College."

UA Chancellor John A. White said, "Tom is one of our outstanding graduates. We are grateful for his interest in enhancing academic excellence at the University by enabling us to recruit superb faculty for the Walton College. It is encouraging to all members of the UA family when alumni honor their alma mater in such tangible ways, benefiting the faculty, staff, and future generations of students."

During Mr. Seay's lifetime, the unitrust will provide substantial tax and economic benefits, allowing him to fund the trust with appreciated securities, which can then be sold without capital gains tax and invested in a stream of income for his lifetime and for his wife's lifetime; the gift also generates an immediate income tax deduction and eliminates the assets from estate taxes.

Prior to forming The Seayco Group, Seay served as executive vice president of Real Estate, Construction, Development and Property Management for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and was a member of the Wal-Mart Executive Committee. He was an original member of the Wal-Mart Foundation board. Seay joined Wal-Mart in 1974 serving in various management positions in real estate for the company. He served two terms as a trustee for the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Seay was a captain in the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam, Germany and Korea. He was decorated with a Bronze Star.

Seay is married to Maria Seay. They are members of the University's Chancellor's Society and recent inductees in the University's new cumulative giving society, Towers of Old Main. He was a member of the Dean's Circle. Last year, he was honored by the Beta Gamma Sigma, a business honorary society in the Walton College. Previously, he has spoken to the College's strategic management classes.

Seay has four sons, Christopher, Michael, Eric and Javier. Michael is a 1990 graduate of the Walton College with a degree in general business.

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G. David Gearhart, vice chancellor for University advancement, 479-575-6800; gdgearh@comp.uark.edu

Hugh Kincaid, director of planned giving, 479-575-7271, kincaid@uafsysb.uark.edu

Dixie Kline, manager of development communications, (479) 575-7944, dkline@comp.uark.edu