Junior Mac Stephen Named to USA Today's All-USA College Academic Second Team

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Mac Stephen, a junior majoring in biology, anthropology and Latin American studies, has been named one of 20 members of the USA Today’s All-USA College Academic Team. Judges considered the grades, leadership activities and the ways in which students extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom when choosing members from the thousands across the U.S. who apply for the honor each year.

Stephen, a Bodenhamer Fellow in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas, is currently studying at Cambridge on a Libby Finch Honors College Study Abroad Scholarship. Also a premedical student, Stephen has studied the development of a medical community in the Dominican Republic and has volunteered with Peacework in Belize. He is a member of STAND, or Students Taking Action Now: Darfur and is interested in public health policy. He is the second student from the university to be selected to the Second Team.

“This is an amazing honor for Mac Stephen,” said Suzanne McCray, interim dean of the Honors College. “Hundreds of top students from all over the country apply for this award, but only 60 are recognized. That he made the top 40 students in the country is incredible. We have had only two students make the second team in the past and one who made the first team though we have had many honorable mentions. Students selected have ambitious academic records and have demonstrated extraordinary leadership and commitment to service.”

His parents are Judy and Fred Stephen of Fayetteville.

Although there is no cash award associated with the Second Team, members and their universities will be published April 29, 2009, in USA Today and on USAToday.com