Anonymous Gift Establishes Rom Horticulture Fund for Experiential Learning & Projects

An anonymous $25,000 gift to the U of A's Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences will provide support for students pursuing concentrations in the Department of Horticulture.

The gift establishes the Rom Horticulture Fund, which is named for University Professor Curt Rom, who has been a faculty member since 1989.

The fund will provide enhanced resources to upgrade and purchase necessary equipment and materials for labs and classroom activities, and facilitate the creation of immersive projects that simulate real-world horticulture scenarios.

"Dr. Rom helped me realize what horticulture truly embodies," the donor, who has previously supported horticulture, said. "His teaching went far beyond the classroom and shaped how I see the role of plants in our lives. Inspired by his guidance, I've come to think of 'PLANTS' as 'Plants (are) Life And Nourishment (for) The Soul.' I wanted to honor Dr. Rom for that inspiration and the lasting impact he's had on my education, perspective and quality of life."

"Teaching and working with students is both gratifying and fulfilling," Rom said. "I really enjoy seeing their 'ah-ha' moments and watching them develop the knowledge and skills to be professionals. Our graduates and alums give me enormous pride. I am very honored by this endowed fund that will further students immersive learning and real-world experiences." 

The department offers opportunities for students to emphasize sustainable horticulture, landscape and ornamentals, production (fruits, vegetables and ornamentals) or turfgrass science.

Rom, the son of a pomologist who later returned as a trained pomologist himself, grew up on a family-owned farm in Fayetteville and is a lifelong Razorback.

Rom served director of the Bumpers College honors program from 2010-15, was interim dean of the Honors College from 2014-15, associate dean for international education in U of A's Graduate School and International Education for six years and as interim dean of GSIE from 2022-25.

An active member of numerous professional organizations, Rom is a past Fulbright Fellow, a Fellow of the American Society for Horticultural Science and served as a Presidential Fellow for the Association of International Education Administrators.

Rom earned a bachelor's degree in horticulture from the U of A in 1980 and received his master's and doctoral degrees from The Ohio State University, where he focused on orchard production and tree physiology. He joined the U of A faculty in 1989 and became a full professor in 2005.

"Dr. Rom brings a wealth of broad experience, knowledge, enthusiasm and a genuine love of teaching and commitment to students' learning to his classes and his interactions with students," said Mary Savin, head of the Department of Horticulture. "As a department, horticulture is committed to providing resources to enhance students' experiences and provide relevant education for our alumni to succeed in their chosen careers. We are excited and honored to be receiving this donation in the name of one of our long-time faculty members who has deservedly been recognized with multiple accolades in teaching."

Rom was inducted as a member of the U of A Teaching Academy in 1996 and served as the organization's president from 2004-06. He has received more than 20 awards for his research, service and teaching during his time at the U of A, including the Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award from the Honors College, Outstanding Gold Medal Faculty Mentor Award presented by the University Office of Nationally Competitive Awards for student mentorship. The Associated Student Government recognized him with the Outstanding Faculty Award in 2013. 

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture. For more information about Bumpers College, visit our website, and follow us Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and X at @BumpersCollege.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas' economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.