John Brown University (JBU) in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, has announced a $6.5 million grant from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation to bolster the university’s cybersecurity program.

The gift includes $3 million to establish an endowment for student scholarships, $2 million in support of technology, and $1.5 million for a full-time program faculty. In 2020, JBU became the only university in northwest Arkansas to offer a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, and the program has nearly doubled its student numbers each fall.

The gift is the second-largest to JBU’s Steadfast Faith capital campaign, which aims to raise $100 million for academic programs, construction projects, scholarships, and operations. To date, JBU has received $67 million for the campaign.

“There is a critical need for cybersecurity professionals in Arkansas,” said JBU president Chip Pollard. “JBU undergraduate and master-level students will benefit greatly from the dedicated faculty, the up-to-date software and hardware, and the scholarships this generous grant provides.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Anna Stills)