"Hundreds of thousands of people in future generations will join you and me in saying ‘Thank you, Jack Stephens,’" President Carter told a crowd of more than 600.

The Spine and Neurosciences Institute was established and built thanks to a $48 million gift from Jackson T. Stephens of Little Rock. His gift is the largest in the 124-year history of UAMS.

President Carter, who earlier told news reporters he hopes to be remembered "as someone who was persistent in trying to promote peace and human rights," said Mr. Stephens has supported the Carter Center in Atlanta, which last year distributed medicines to 9.2 million people in Africa an Latin America.
"Jack Stephens has been a full partner with us in everything we’ve done," he said.

President Carter and Mr. Stephens became friends as students at the U.S. Naval Academy 60 years ago. President Carter said he and Mr. Stephens both "grew up on farms in the middle of the woods in the Depression." They picked cotton as youth, "which would have been enough to keep spine institutes in business," he joked.

Mr. Stephens attended the dedication ceremony with his family, including his two sons, who each spoke briefly. Jackson T. "Steve" Stephens, Jr., thanked his father for the example of business acumen and philanthropy which he has set. Warren Stephens told President Carter, "we appreciate what you have accomplished and the work you continue to do."

UAMS Chancellor I. Dodd Wilson, M.D., presided over the dedication ceremony, making special mention of "everyone who will work in this building." He thanked Mr. Stephens for supporting UAMS for "many years."

"Most Arkansans are aware of the almost legendary story of Jack and his brother, the late Witt Stephens, two young men from Prattsville, Arkansas, who through determination and hard work built Stephens, Inc., into one of the largest investment firms in the nation. What many of you may not be aware of is the generous and philanthropic side of Jack Stephens. For while Jack was cutting a very dynamic figure on Wall Street and in the boardroom for many years, at the same time he was working very quietly and methodically behind the scenes to help create and often fund many programs and buildings and projects to benefit his fellow Arkansans and Americans as well as people throughout the world," Chancellor Wilson said.

Governor Mike Huckabee predicted that someday patients who come to the institute after suffering spine injuries will "walk out of this building thanks to a benefactor they will never meet.

"God bless you, Jack Stephens," he told Mr. Stephens.

T. Glenn Pait, M.D., the founding director of the institute and an associate professor in the Department of Neurosurgery in the UAMS College of Medicine, echoed the praise of Mr. Stephens, whom he called "a very special individual." He called the opening of the institute "full of promise and hope" for persons with spine and neurological injuries and illnesses.

The following special guests participated in the dedication ceremony: Bill Clark, chairman of the University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees and president of CDI Contractors; President B. Alan Sugg, Ph.D., of the UA System; Harry P. Ward, M.D., UAMS chancellor emeritus; John P. Shock, M.D., executive vice chancellor and director of the Harvey and Bernice Jones Eye Institute; E. Albert Reece, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., dean of the College of Medicine; James Suen, M.D., director of the Arkansas Cancer Research Center at UAMS and chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology in the UAMS College of Medicine; Gene Levy of Cromwell Architects and Engineers; the Rev. Steve Hancock of Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock; and Nikki Parrish of Little Rock, who led the audience in singing the National Anthem.

Several state office-holders attended the dedication, including Attorney-General Mike Beebe and state Sens. and former House speakers Shane Broadway and Bob Johnson.

President Carter told the audience that he and his wife, Rosalynn Carter, "dedicate our life" to the Carter Center, which works for democracy, human rights, health care, and environmental quality in 65 nations, including 25 in Africa.

President Carter, who served in the White House from 1977 to 1981, is chairman of the Carter Center in Atlanta, a not-for-profit nongovernmental organization that advances peace and health care worldwide. On Dec. 10, 2002, the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded him the Nobel Peace Prize "for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts to advance democracy and human rights and to promote economic and social development."

Jack Stephens of Little Rock (left) greets Dr. T. Glenn Pait of UAMS before the dedication. (JohnPaul Jones) Click on photo for larger view. 

Sons Jackson T. “Steve“ Stephens, Jr. (left) and Warren Stephens (right) with Jack Stephens (JohnPaul Jones) Click on photo for larger view.

Dr. T. Glenn Pait (left) presented President Carter with a memento of the dedication. (JohnPaul Jones) Click on photo for larger view.

 Governor Mike Huckabee (Ramanda Cody) Click on photo for larger view.

Jack Stephens (Ramanda Cody) Click on photo for larger view.

UAMS Chancellor I. Dodd Wilson, M.D. (center), and Governor Mike Huckabee greeted President Jimmy Carter. (JohnPaul Jones) Click on photo for larger view.

A Closer Look at the Jackson T. Stephens Spine and Neurosciences Institute APRIL 1, 2003 Photo Album: Topping Out the Stephens Institute FEB. 21, 2002 President Clinton, Stephens Family Help "Top Out" Stephens Institute Building at UAMS FEB. 19, 2002

Significant accomplishments of his presidential administration included the Panama Canal treaties, the Camp David Accords, the treaty of peace between Egypt and Israel, the SALT II treaty with the Soviet Union and the establishment of U.S. diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. At home, his administration's achievements were many and included a comprehensive energy program conducted by the Department of Energy, major educational programs under a new Department of Education and major environmental protection legislation including the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act.

He has written 17 books, including a novel, The Hornet’s Nest, to be released in November.

The institute will contain the Center for the Athletic and Aging Spine, which will focus on spine and back problems for patients of all ages, and it will include facilities for "pre-habilitation" programs that prepare surgery patients for post-operative success and recovery. The Departments of Neurosurgery, Neurology, and Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery of the UAMS College of Medicine will be located on three of the planned 12 floors along with interdisciplinary programs related to problems of the spine and in the neurosciences. Basic and clinical research labs, outpatient clinical facilities, information technology support systems, and conference facilities for educational seminars and symposia will be incorporated into the building.



Links on This Page

Stephens Institute: http://www.uams.edu/stephensinstitute/
Photo Album: http://www.uams.edu/today/2002/022102/StephensPics.htm
President Clinton: http://www.uams.edu/today/2002/021402/stephens.htm

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