Donald W. Reynolds
Encyclopedia
Donald W. Reynolds was an American
businessman and philanthropist
. During his lifetime, he was best known for his involvement in the Donrey Media Group.
and got his first job in the newspaper business selling papers at the local railroad station.
In high school, Reynolds decided he wanted to attend the University of Missouri
's Missouri School of Journalism
, and he worked during high school and successive summers at a meat packing plant to pay for his studies. While at the University of Missouri he was initiated into Pi Kappa Alpha
. He graduated in 1927.
Reynolds' first business venture was a photo engraving plant. He then purchased and sold the Quincy Evening News in Massachusetts
, using the proceeds from that sale to buy the Okmulgee Daily Times in Oklahoma
and the Southwest Times Record in Arkansas
. Those two papers launched the Donrey Media Group. Operating mostly in small towns, the group grew to include more than 100 businesses, including newspapers, radio stations, television stations, cable television operations, and billboard companies.
Reynolds interrupted his newspaper career to serve in the military during World War II, initially in military intelligence and, later, as the officer in charge of the Pacific and London editions of the "soldiers' newspaper, “YANK.” He attained the rank of major, received the Legion of Merit, Purple Heart and Bronze Star during his military service, and returned to civilian status in 1945.
He focused his business acumen on businesses located in small but growth-oriented communities, and these communities often were the recipients of the Foundation’s earliest charitable grants.
Reynolds died in 1993, and a large sum of money from his business ventures went to the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation. There are currently a number of buildings named for Reynolds, including the Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
, the D. W. Reynolds building at Hendrix College
, the Reynolds Center at Harding University
, the Donald W. Reynolds Performing Arts Center at the University of Oklahoma
, the Donald W. Reynolds Performance Hall at the University of Central Arkansas
, Donald W. Reynolds YMCA in Warren, Arkansas, the Donald W. Reynolds Alumni Center and the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute at the Missouri School of Journalism
, the Donald W. Reynolds School of Journalism
at the University of Nevada, Reno
, the Donald W. Reynolds Center
at the University of Tulsa
, the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Business and Economic Development at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock
, the Donald W. Reynolds Science Center at Henderson State University
, the Donald W. Reynolds School of Architecture at Oklahoma State University, The Donald W. Reynolds Campus and Community Center at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, AR, the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture
in Washington, DC., and the Donald W. Reynolds Emergency Shelter and Recreation building at the Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter
Donald Worthington Reynolds left three children on his death: Nancy, Donald and Jonathan. Forbes Magazine notes that Reynolds's three children will receive trust income of $ 50,000 a year for life, but will be left only $ 1 if they unsuccessfully contest his will. The bulk of the Estate was left to The Donald W Reynolds Foundation.
The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation continues his lengthy legacy of charitable giving with funding programs for capital grants, aging and quality of life, cardiovascular clinical research, and journalism.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
businessman and philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
. During his lifetime, he was best known for his involvement in the Donrey Media Group.
Biography
Reynolds was the son of Gaines W. Reynolds, a wholesale grocery salesman, and his wife, Anna Louise. He grew up in Oklahoma CityOklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
and got his first job in the newspaper business selling papers at the local railroad station.
In high school, Reynolds decided he wanted to attend the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
's Missouri School of Journalism
Missouri School of Journalism
The Missouri School of Journalism at University of Missouri in Columbia, claims to be the oldest formal journalism school in the world. Founded in 1908, only the Ecole Supérieure de Journalisme de Paris established in 1899 may be older...
, and he worked during high school and successive summers at a meat packing plant to pay for his studies. While at the University of Missouri he was initiated into Pi Kappa Alpha
Pi Kappa Alpha
Pi Kappa Alpha is a Greek social fraternity with over 230 chapters and colonies and over 250,000 lifetime initiates in the United States and Canada.-History:...
. He graduated in 1927.
Reynolds' first business venture was a photo engraving plant. He then purchased and sold the Quincy Evening News in Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, using the proceeds from that sale to buy the Okmulgee Daily Times in Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
and the Southwest Times Record in Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
. Those two papers launched the Donrey Media Group. Operating mostly in small towns, the group grew to include more than 100 businesses, including newspapers, radio stations, television stations, cable television operations, and billboard companies.
Reynolds interrupted his newspaper career to serve in the military during World War II, initially in military intelligence and, later, as the officer in charge of the Pacific and London editions of the "soldiers' newspaper, “YANK.” He attained the rank of major, received the Legion of Merit, Purple Heart and Bronze Star during his military service, and returned to civilian status in 1945.
He focused his business acumen on businesses located in small but growth-oriented communities, and these communities often were the recipients of the Foundation’s earliest charitable grants.
Reynolds died in 1993, and a large sum of money from his business ventures went to the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation. There are currently a number of buildings named for Reynolds, including the Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium is an American football stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas and serves as the home field of the University of Arkansas Razorbacks football team since its opening in 1938. The stadium was formerly known as Razorback Stadium since 1941 before being renamed in 2001...
, the D. W. Reynolds building at Hendrix College
Hendrix College
Hendrix College is a private liberal arts college located in Conway, Arkansas. The student body averages around 1,400 and currently represents forty-three states and fourteen foreign countries. In US News and World Report's America's Best Colleges, Hendrix is ranked annually in the top tier of...
, the Reynolds Center at Harding University
Harding University
Harding University is located in Searcy, Arkansas, in the United States, about north-east of Little Rock. It is a private liberal arts Christian university associated with the Churches of Christ. The university takes its name from James A...
, the Donald W. Reynolds Performing Arts Center at the University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
, the Donald W. Reynolds Performance Hall at the University of Central Arkansas
University of Central Arkansas
The University of Central Arkansas is a state-run institution located in the city of Conway, the seat of Faulkner County, north of Little Rock and is the fourth largest university by enrollment in the U.S. state of Arkansas, and the third largest college system in the state. The school is most...
, Donald W. Reynolds YMCA in Warren, Arkansas, the Donald W. Reynolds Alumni Center and the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute at the Missouri School of Journalism
Missouri School of Journalism
The Missouri School of Journalism at University of Missouri in Columbia, claims to be the oldest formal journalism school in the world. Founded in 1908, only the Ecole Supérieure de Journalisme de Paris established in 1899 may be older...
, the Donald W. Reynolds School of Journalism
Donald W. Reynolds School of Journalism
The Reynolds School of Journalism is a professional school of the University of Nevada, Reno. Established in 1984, it counts six Pulitzer Prize recipients among its alumni.-Recent innovations:...
at the University of Nevada, Reno
University of Nevada, Reno
The University of Nevada, Reno , is a teaching and research university established in 1874 and located in Reno, Nevada, USA...
, the Donald W. Reynolds Center
Reynolds Center
Reynolds Center is an 8,355-seat multi-purpose arena in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The arena opened in 1998 and is named for Donald W. Reynolds. It is home to the University of Tulsa Golden Hurricane basketball and volleyball teams. It hosted the 2001-03 Western Athletic Conference men's basketball...
at the University of Tulsa
University of Tulsa
The University of Tulsa is a private university awarding bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA. It is currently ranked 75th among doctoral degree granting universities in the nation by US News and World Report and is listed as one of the "Best 366 Colleges" by...
, the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Business and Economic Development at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
University of Arkansas at Little Rock , is a public research university located in Little Rock, Arkansas, United States, and the second largest university by enrollment in the state of Arkansas....
, the Donald W. Reynolds Science Center at Henderson State University
Henderson State University
Henderson State University, founded in 1890 as Arkadelphia Methodist College, is a four-year public liberal arts university located in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, United States. It is Arkansas's only member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges...
, the Donald W. Reynolds School of Architecture at Oklahoma State University, The Donald W. Reynolds Campus and Community Center at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, AR, the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture
Old Patent Office Building
The historic Old Patent Office Building in Washington, D.C. covers an entire city block defined by F and G Streets and 7th and 9th Streets NW in Chinatown. After undergoing extensive renovations, the building reopened on July 1, 2006 and was renamed The Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art...
in Washington, DC., and the Donald W. Reynolds Emergency Shelter and Recreation building at the Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter
Donald Worthington Reynolds left three children on his death: Nancy, Donald and Jonathan. Forbes Magazine notes that Reynolds's three children will receive trust income of $ 50,000 a year for life, but will be left only $ 1 if they unsuccessfully contest his will. The bulk of the Estate was left to The Donald W Reynolds Foundation.
The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation continues his lengthy legacy of charitable giving with funding programs for capital grants, aging and quality of life, cardiovascular clinical research, and journalism.