2012 Alumni Trio to be Honored as Emerging Philanthropists

A trio of 2012 University of the Ozarks graduates - (pictured, from left) Emily Towe of Little Rock, Ark.; Taylor Jacks of Little Rock; and Morgan Jackson of Fayetteville, Ark. - have been chosen to receive the 2025 Emerging Philanthropist Awards by the University's Office of Advancement and Alumni Engagement.

The awards will be presented during the Ozarks Awards Ceremony, scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17, in the Rogers Conference Center. The ceremony is part of Homecoming Week 2025.

The Emerging Philanthropist Award was established in 2019 by the University to recognize individuals age 40 or under who have demonstrated a record of exceptional generosity in support of Ozarks' mission and who have inspired others to give similarly.

Towe has supported her alma mater for eight years, including through the License Plate Program, the Ozarks Annual Fund and the Wilson Athletic Complex. Originally from Cabot, Ark., Towe graduated Magna Cum Laude from U of O with a degree in political science. She later graduated Cum Laude from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law in May of 2021. During law school, Towe was a member of the moot court board and earned top paper awards in multiple classes. In April 2021, she was appointed to the U of O Alumni Association Board of Directors, and she currently serves on the Board's Alumni Connections Committee. She was also selected as a finest honoree with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in 2025. She is an attorney at Reddick Law Firm, representing families and loved ones in nursing home neglect and wrongful death cases in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Missouri.

Jacks has supported Ozarks for 10 consecutive years in areas such as the License Plate Program, Ozarks Annual Fund and the Presbytery of Arkansas Scholarship. He is a producer at Waymack and Crew, a nationally recognized content production company based in Little Rock. At Ozarks, Jacks earned a triple major in Radio/Television/Video communications, accounting, and marketing. Since 2021, he has served on the University's Alumni Board. Dedicated to using his craft for impact, Jacks has created video projects for numerous nonprofit organizations, including Centers for Youth and Families, Jericho Way, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. His work continues to highlight stories that inspire, connect, and create positive change in the community.

Jackson has also supported Ozarks for 10 consecutive years through the Ozarks Annual Fund, the Aerie Club and the Wilson Athletic Complex. She currently serves as senior director of international transportation and global logistics at Walmart, leading a diverse global team, managing complex supply chains across multiple countries. She earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Ozarks before going on to earn an MBA from Arkansas State University and a micromaster's degree in supply chain operational practical education (SCOPE) from MIT's Center for Transportation and Logistics. Beyond her professional achievements, Jackson actively contributes to her community. She serves as an advisory council member for the National Shipper Advisory Committee under the Federal Maritime Commission and is the vice-chair of the Arkansas Trucking Association 40 Under 40 Council. She and her husband, Hunter, have twin daughters, Anna and Ellie.

To kearn more about Homecoming 2025 or to pre-register, please visit HERE.

Topics: Giving