Bell Tower | Community | GivingMay 01, 2026

The Civic Duty of Ben Shipley

Written By: Tina Alvey Dale

Ben Shipley learned civic responsibility and the power of reinvesting into the community at an early age.

“My father was a strong supporter of the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith. It was Westark College then. I remember him taking me to dinner for all the scholarship students. He was super enthusiastic about it, seeing what all these students were doing to succeed,” said Shipley, senior attorney and member at Robertson, Beasley & Shipley, PLLC and a current member of the fundraising committee for future of the university.

Both Shipley and his father understood the importance of scholarships to students who might not otherwise be able to continue their education by attending college.

“My desire to support UAFS really started with my dad. He always believed UAFS was a critically important part of the community,” he said

Shipley’s grandfather, who started Shipley Baking Co. in Fort Smith, also taught him the importance of contributing to the community.

A gift from Shipley and his wife, Lane to UAFS's Intrepid Ambition campaign has been commemorated as the Shipley Family Collaborative Space at the UAFS Center for Economic Development, housed in The Bakery District, the repurposed 35,000-square-foot facility originally built in 1921 as the Shipley Baking Company.

“Supporting the university is reinvesting in your community. You are helping educate the people who will then be contributing to the viability of our community,” he said.

UAFS’s work with existing leading manufactures, Fort Smith Public Schools and the region at large to help fill needs is making an impact on the River Valley, Shipley said.

“My work on the Foundation Board was inspiring. I believe supporting the university is a vital part of civic responsibility,” he said.”

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