Incoming Freshman Class Of Prestigious Honors College Fellows Named

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. --- Seventy-five nationally competitive high school seniors have accepted University of Arkansas Honors College Fellowships. Each will receive funding totaling $50,000 over four years, covering tuition, room and board and allowing for the purchase of a computer as well as monies for study abroad and other important educational opportunities.

That these talented students have chosen the University of Arkansas is one of the results of the generosity of the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation of Bentonville. $75 million of the historic $300 million dollar gift given in April of last year to the University was used to endow the Honors College Fellowships. The program will eventually include 300 Fellows. In the fall, this new class will bring the current number to 135.

"What a pleasure it is to see these bright, eager faces coming in for summer orientation," Chancellor John A. White said. "These young men and women represent the best academic talent our state, region, and country have to offer. Many distinguished colleges and universities have been trying to recruit them. Fortunately for our state, they have chosen to attend the University of Arkansas, where they will find educational opportunities equal to the best our nation has to offer."

Honors College Fellows are housed in the Pomfret Honors Quarters for their freshman year and participate in the First-Year Experience. Many Fellows from last year’s inaugural class are already taking full advantage of the opportunities made available by their fellowships. Some are spending the summer studying abroad; others are participating in internships or National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates.

"As a freshman, the Honors College Fellowship has already opened unexpected doors for me," Justin Vines, an Honors College Fellow (Class of 2006) from Little Rock said. "This summer I am participating in a summer NSF research program in Iowa, an opportunity usually reserved for older students. It’s just been terrific."

Approximately $75 million of the Walton gift is part of an endowment used to support these students who are enrolling at a rate averaging 75 students per year and will in two years be a full strength with approximately 300 Fellows enrolled on the campus. To qualify for an invitation to interview, students must score at least a 32 (out of a possible 36) on the ACT exam and have a 3.7 (on a 4.0 scale). The application, letters of recommendation and courses taken are also extremely important in the selection process.

According to Bob Smith, Provost and Interim Dean of the Honors College, the University’s ability to attract the best students has grown dramatically each year since 1985 when the first five Sturgis fellows joined the University of Arkansas campus.

"They made an immediate impact and that program quickly grew in reputation and size," Smith said. "The Bodenhamer Fellows soon followed, adding to the luster of our student body. Now with the Honors College Fellows we have increased our abilities to recruit these students five-fold."

"This new class of Honors College Fellows will join a large cohort of dedicated, accomplished students. Over 1600 undergraduates are currently participating in the Honors College and almost 700 students joining us at orientation qualify for the program. Currently, they join approximately 40 Sturgis Fellows, 40 Bodenhamer Fellows, 4 Boyer Fellows, and 1000 Chancellor’s Scholars. These students are pushing us all to perform at the highest level."

Suzanne McCray, associate dean of the Honors College, stresses that the fellowships are not just about grades and scores. "These students are committed to community service. They are actively involved in campus concerns. Their work ethic is impressive. Just last year, the first class of Honors College Fellows brought with them 591 hours of Advanced Placement credit. They know how to roll up their sleeves and get to work, and because of that, they have a head start. We cannot wait to see what they will accomplish over the next four years."

The purpose of these Fellowships and of the Honors College itself is to capture for Arkansas those high achieving high school students who have in previous years been lured by out-of-state colleges and universities, while also attracting students of equal ability from other states.

"Wherever they come from, their graduation from the University of Arkansas will increase significantly the likelihood that they will live and work in the state," Smith said. "As they do, their talents will contribute greatly to improving the economy and quality of life in Arkansas."

The University of Arkansas Honors College Fellows Class of 2007 is included below, listed alphabetically by hometown. Individual bios and photos are available on request.

Alma, AR
Mason Kirksey

Anderson, MO
Matthew Burch

Arkadelphia, AR
Jonathan Bunn

Bartlesville, OK
Catherine Shock

Batesville, AR
William Cantrell

Benton AR
John Faver
Jonathan Gardner

Billings, MO
Tara Hoffman

Birch Tree, MO
Theresa Warner

Bridgeton, MO
Elizabeth St. John

Broken Arrow, OK
Melanie Nolen
Cole Penick

Cabot, AR
Aaron Moulton

Camden, AR
Brandon Thorne

Carthage, MO
Jeremy Choens

Collierville, TN
Adam Keeley

Conway, AR
Drew Bell
Blake Edwards
Robert T. Jones
Emily West
Leslie Crain
Matthew Goode

DeQueen, AR
Summer Scott

Dover, AR
Adrielle Churchill

Edgemont, AR
Miranda Schreiber

Eureka Springs, AR
Justin Peek

Fairview, OK
Laici Wedel

Fayetteville, AR
Fred Denny
Laura Jordan
Allison Ivey
Christopher Mee
Gregory Ziser

Fort Smith, AR
Christina Cadell
Latosha Johnson
Andrew Kincannon

Heber Springs, AR
Kristi Hunter

Helena, AR
John Brothers

Hot Springs, AR
Zac Henley
Tyler House
Eric Braun

Houston, TX
Elizabeth Wilson
Andrew Montgomery

Howe, OK
Danielle Williams

Jackson, AR
Megan Evans

Little Rock, AR
Seth Borin
Lauren Holloway

Magnolia, AR
David Norris

Marianna, AR
Tyler McClendon

Maysville, KY
Laura Stump

Mesquite, TX
Allen Curtis Hall

Mountain Home, AR
Meredith Griffin
Kurtis Markowski

North Little Rock, AR
Philip Pounders
Alicia Austin
David Gershner
Jay Staley
Kelly Sullivan
Casey Bailey
Sheena Ora

Plano, TX
Anna Bjorkman

Rogers, AR
Libby Bridges
Kent Miller
Christopher Weber
Brian Williams

Scranton, AR
Ashley Sims

Searcy, AR
Heath Himstedt

Springdale, AR
Sarah Applegate
Cari Bogulski
Clark Donat
Jason Hartsfield
Masha Grabovski
Jonathan Pryor

Tulsa, OK
Adam Kaltenbach

Van Buren, AR
Daniel Elkins

White Hall, AR
Katharine Tully

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