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Gill Family establishes new endowment at UA - Pulaski Tech to honor longtime paralegal

The University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College Foundation announces a new endowment established by John P. Gill along with his wife, Marjem, and their children, Elizabeth, Ward, and David Gill. The new Chair of Paralegal Technology in the college's School of Technical and Professional Sciences honors a career of exceptional legal service.

The endowment was created to recognize Desi Diane Gipson, a paralegal who has worked alongside Gill for more than 40 years. John P. Gill, a founding partner of the Gill Ragon Owen law firm, established the gift along with his family.

“The Gill family has valued Desi's years of service beyond words,” said John Gill. “Thus, this heartfelt gesture that honors her and benefits the UA-PTC Paralegal Technology Program with the hopes of ‘creating more Desis.’”

The gift provides a significant boost to the UA-PTC Paralegal Technology program, which prepares students for the legal field through an Associate of Applied Science, a Technical Certificate, and a Certificate of Proficiency. The curriculum focuses on essential skills including legal research, document preparation, and professional ethics.

This new fund builds upon a long-standing relationship between the Gill Ragon Owen firm and the college. The program is also supported by the existing Charles C. Owen and Carolyn D. Owen Endowed Scholarship, which was created by the firm to honor its President Emeritus and longtime administrator. Learn about this and other UA-PTC Foundation scholarships here: uaptc.edu/foundation/scholarships.

“We are deeply grateful to the Gill family for their generosity and their vision,” said UA-PTC Vice Chancellor for Advancement Laurie Ann Ross. “By investing in our students, they are ensuring that the next generation of paralegals is equipped with the same dedication and skill that Ms. Gipson has modeled for four decades.”

For more information about the Paralegal Technology program or the UA-PTC Foundation, visit uaptc.edu/business-info-tech/paralegal-technology.