Four Students Awarded ASG Presidents' Council Scholarship

Associated Student Government is pleased to announce the winners of the ASG Presidents' Council Scholarship for the 2015-16 academic school year. Each winning student receives a $500 scholarship, with the awards split into two $250 scholarships for the fall and spring semesters. This year's winners are Anthony Eller of Lee's Summit, Missouri; Toni Jankovski of Kriva Palanka, Macedonia; Paul Marsh of Bentonville, Arkansas; and Summer Sherrod of Keller, Texas.

Eller is currently a senior in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences and is planning on graduating in the spring with a bachelor's degree in biochemistry. He serves as a secretary for the Volunteer Action Center and helps plan events such as Make a Difference Day and Race for the Cure. He coordinated and participated in a Global Medical Brigades medical mission to Honduras where they provided medicine, dug a well, and taught children how to brush their teeth. He has plans to attend medical school and says he is inspired by his grandmother who served in hospices and homeless shelters. Eller wrote, "I am committed to volunteering because I firmly believe that each and every student blessed with the opportunity to continue their education, unlike thousands of less-fortunate kids across the nation, should invest part of their time in service to others."

Jankovski, a senior in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences and second-time recipient of the ASG Presidents' Council Scholarship award, is planning to graduate in the spring with a bachelor's degree in agricultural economics. While maintaining a 4.0 grade point average, he has served as the president of the International Students Organization, is a current member of the International Culture Team, the Student Alumni Association, the Agricultural Business Club, and the Ozark Society. He volunteers with the Volunteer Action Center, the Full Circle Food Pantry, and the "Recycling with the Razorbacks" program. He is also a part of the Friendship Family Program, which helps students connect with a local family and get more involved in the local community. Jankovski wrote, "I know that I am on the right path to achieving my goal of obtaining a quality education, and the University of Arkansas is not only always there genuinely willing to help in a variety of ways, but also this great academic institution is constantly expanding all my horizons further each day."

Marsh is a senior studying criminal justice in Fulbright College. He has worked as a Hog Caller for a year and a half, contacting alumni, parents, and supporters of the university to encourage donations to various departments. During his time as a Hog Caller he has helped raise $11,000. He also serves as sponsorship chair for the Student Alumni Board, collaborating with the vice president of the SAB to plan events and secure sponsorships from companies. Marsh wrote, "Thank you all so very much for your benevolence, and Woo Pig Sooie!"

Sherrod, a junior in Bumpers College, is completing a bachelor's degree in environmental soil and water science. Not only has Sherrod maintained a 4.0 grade point average while in the Honors program, she has also been actively involved on campus. She is president of the Student Sustainability Club, a member of the women's rugby team, and volunteers with organizations such as TriCycle Farms and the Beaver Watershed Alliance.  She worked with the Office of Sustainability to conduct research on how to move the university towards its goal of Zero Waste by 2021. Sherrod wrote, "I expected to come to Arkansas and leave with an education but I have pulled the winning ticket here because I will be leaving with so much more: a new vision for myself as a professional sustainability leader in the world, a sincere love and appreciation for Fayetteville and the tight-knit supportive community that characterizes it, great friends, and fond memories."

"Congratulations to Summer Sherrod, Paul Marsh, Toni Jankovski and Anthony Eller on winning the 2015 Associated Student Government Presidents' Council Scholarship," said former ASG President Daniel McFarland, who chaired last year's council. "At the beginning of this year, one of my largest initiatives was to increase the number of President's Council Scholarships from two $500 awards to four to reach out to more students than ever. These four individuals have accomplished a plethora of accomplishments not only in the classroom, but also in extracurricular activities during their tenure at the University of Arkansas. It is with great pleasure that we award these well deserving individuals."

The ASG Presidents' Council Scholarship was established in the 2010-2011 academic year by then ASG President Billy Fleming. The ASG Presidents' Council Scholarship is currently funded through annual contributions from former ASG presidents who also participate in the application review process each year. In order to provide permanent scholarship support for generations to come, the Division of Student Affairs and ASG are working collaboratively to endow the scholarship. For more information about the ASG Presidents' Council Scholarship, contact ASG President Tanner Bone at asgpres@uark.edu.

The Associated Student Government at the University of Arkansas is a student-led organization that acts as an organized voice for all students and strives to effectively represent student interest.

Questions about ASG can be directed to 479-575-5205, asg@uark.edu or asg.uark.edu.