For the Fricke family, University Recreation (UREC) + Wellness at the University of Arkansas has always been more than a workplace or fitness center — it’s been a second home and a foundation for growth, community and Razorback pride.
Now, thanks to a $25,000 gift establishing the Fricke Family Endowed Scholarship, their legacy will continue for generations of students to come.
Administered by the Division of Student Affairs, the scholarship is awarded annually to undergraduate student employees of UREC who demonstrate financial need, maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA, and show a strong commitment to UREC’s mission. It is the first scholarship at the university dedicated specifically to students working within University Recreation + Wellness.
For Life Member Linda Fricke, a retired UREC Membership Coordinator who served for more than a decade, the decision to give back was deeply personal. Her connection to UREC spans professional and family lines — both her daughter, Hannah B.S.B.A.’14, and she were employed by UREC, and her son, Zach B.S.Ch.E.’11, is also a proud U of A graduate.
For Linda, the greatest reward is knowing the Fricke family legacy will live on in the lives of students who might otherwise struggle to stay in school while supporting themselves.
“Many people might not realize the impact these students have,” she said. “But I’ve seen it. I’m still in contact with many of them, and they continue to enrich my life.”
“The scholarship monetarily may be a small thing,” she added. “But to our family, it is a very proud accomplishment. And hopefully, it will be the same for future recipients.”
*This post is condensed from a longer article by Robyn Sterling Ledbetter published in the fall 2025 issue of Arkansas Magazine. Ledbetter is the senior director of communications and marketing in the University of Arkansas Division of Student Affairs.
