Top High School Students Receive Honors College Fellowships From University of Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – From a field of 600 applicants, 81 outstanding high school seniors have been chosen to join the seventh class of Honors College Fellows at the University of Arkansas. Each student will receive a total of $50,000 over four years to cover tuition, room and board, as well as the cost of books and a computer. The funds can also be combined with Honors College research and study abroad grants to broaden educational opportunities.

“It’s a pleasure to see so many talented students choose to attend this institution” said G. David Gearhart, University of Arkansas chancellor. “Not only do the fellows have impressive academic records, but they are also very civic-minded, devoting an amazing number of hours to public service organizations during their high school careers. These students will give back to their communities again and again. It’s very rewarding to see the Walton family’s gift continue to bring students with such enormous energy to our campus, to the Fayetteville area and to our state.”

The Honors College Fellowships are made possible by a portion of the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation’s historic $300 million gift to the university.

Competition for the fellowships is rigorous. More than 150 finalists were interviewed in March with approximately 50 university faculty members participating in those interviews. To qualify as a finalist, a student must score at least 32 on the ACT exam and have a 3.8 grade point average. The student’s application, letters of recommendation, course of studies and community involvement are also extremely important in the selection process. In this 2012 class of fellows the average grade point average is 4.17; the average ACT score is 33.

“These students chose the University of Arkansas because they don’t intend to rest on their laurels. They know we will challenge them immediately with compelling course work and community service, as well as study abroad and research opportunities,” said Gearhart. “We want every door open to all our students, and we know engagement is critical to their success.”

Suzanne McCray, interim dean of Honors College, agrees the fellowships have attracted students who would be at home at any institution in the country, and said they will find opportunities to match their abilities.

"The Honors College Fellowships program is relatively new yet it is already a nationally recognized scholarship. These new fellows will connect with students and faculty who will challenge them to reach higher. They are joining a community where engagement in and outside the classroom is a way of life,” McCray said.

Honors College Fellows are housed in the Pomfret Honors Quarters for their freshman year, and participate in the university’s First-Year Experience program.

The University of Arkansas Honors College Fellows Class of 2012 are: