FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas Honors College has selected its fifth class of Honors College Fellows. After completing a rigorous application and interview process, 80 outstanding high school seniors from the state and from across the country will join this distinguished group of scholars.

“The new Honors College Fellows were chosen from a highly competitive pool of applicants. We could have selected almost anyone from that pool and been happy with the results. That we are attracting such amazing students is in part due to the fellowship support, but these students know that a scholarship award is only as valuable as the programs it supports,” said Chancellor John A. White. “They had many options, but they chose the University of Arkansas because they can find educational opportunities here that are equal to the best anywhere in the world.”

Honors College Fellows are housed in the Pomfret Honors Quarters for their freshman year and participate in the First-Year Experience. Many upper-class fellows have already spent time studying abroad or participating in internships or completing undergraduate research.

More than 150 Honors College Fellowship finalists were interviewed in March with approximately 50 UA faculty members participating in those interviews. To qualify for an invitation to interview, students must score at least a 32 on the ACT exam and have a 3.8 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale). The application, letters of recommendation and courses taken are also extremely important in the selection process. The average GPA of the new class of fellows is 4.16.

“The Honors College Fellows along with the Sturgis, Bodenhamer, Toller and Boyer Fellows and Chancellor’s Scholars continue to transform our campus, helping raise the quality of the classroom experience and shaping our national reputation as an institution that provides its undergraduates with exceptional opportunities, leading to success at the highest levels,” continued White.

“Take the Barry Goldwater Scholarship for example, a nationally competitive award reserved for the very best undergraduates in math, science and engineering,” he said. “Our record of recipients compares to any in the country. We have had 33 Goldwater Scholars; of that group, 18 were also fellows and 12 were Chancellor’s Scholars. Just this year fellows were recognized by the Truman, the Gates Cambridge, the Goldwater and the Fulbright Scholarship programs.  These incoming freshmen are joining an established and proud tradition of success, and we know they will thrive and add to that tradition.”

Bob McMath, dean of the Honors College, agreed the fellowships have attracted students comparable to any in the country: “Any university would be delighted to have them, and Honors College Fellows attract other good students to the university as well. They are raising the bar in classes all across campus. The Honors College is eager to continue enriching their experiences with increased course offerings and research opportunities. Energetic, engaged students deserve challenging, insightful programs that will help them prepare for an ever changing workplace. If we do our part, these students will make lasting contributions in our communities.”

Each will receive funding totaling $50,000 over four years. That money covers tuition, room and board and allows for the purchase of a computer as well as monies for study abroad and other important educational opportunities.

The University of Arkansas Honors College Fellows Class of 2010 include Suzanne Area, Tulsa, Okla.; Stephen Baughn, Cape Girardeau, Mo.; Aaron Belknap, Rogers, Ark.; Jazmin Berlanga Medina, Green Forest, Ark.; Colin Brooks, Norman, Okla.; Molly Bunch, Lawrence, Kansas; Geri Burkett, West Memphis, Ark.; Susan Campbell, Russellville, Ark.; Jimmy Chancellor, Conway, Ark.; Courtney Chandler, Tulsa, Okla.; Helen Chase, Tahlequah, Okla.; Mee Leem Choi, Fayetteville, Ark.; Taylor Christian, Benton, Ark.; Samuel Christman, Prairie Grove, Ark.; Johnathan Conley, Morrilton, Ark.; Phillip Costello, Wesley, Ark.;

Tyler Davis, Joplin, Mo.; Kathryne Dunlap, Hot Springs, Ark.; Jamie Edwards, North Little Rock, Ark.; Zackary Eubanks, Little Rock, Ark.; Justin Fengler, Tulsa, Okla.; Brian Garner, Fayetteville, Ark.; Scott Geurin, Little Rock, Ark.; Noel Gieringer, Little Rock, Ark.; Adam Glasier, Little Rock, Ark.; Marisa Grippo, Hot Springs, Ark.; Christi Hankins, Cabot, Ark.; Shayne Henry, Broken Arrow, Okla.; Emily Hickman, Jonesboro, Ark.; Tori High, Little Rock, Ark.; Lukas Hockman, Diamond, Mo.; Michelle Hodges, Mountain Home, Ark.; Lana Hong, Broken Arrow, Okla.; Rebekah Hotz, Russellville, Ark.;

Stephen Ironside, Fayetteville, Ark.; Amen Ismail, Bella Vista, Ark.; Jill Ivey, Fayetteville, Ark.; Patricia Jackson, Fayetteville, Ark.; Erin Jameson, Columbus, Kansas; Kevin Lammers, Conway, Ark.; Jesse Lassiter, Rogers, Ark.; Elizabeth Lindly, Mena, Ark.; Troy Long, Fayetteville, Ark.; Owen Love, Stilllwater, Okla.; Andrew Martin, Fort Smith, Ark.; Leanna Mathews, Rudy, Ark.; Elizabeth McCallion, Tulsa, Okla.; Matthew McKnight, Fort Smith, Ark.; Samantha Meadors, Benton, Ark.; Angela Mehner, Lake Jackson, Texas; Gregory Morris, Little Rock, Ark.; Charlotte Muse, Lonoke, Ark.; Rachel Newberry, Harrison, Ark.; Catherine Nipper, Fairview, Texas; Colin Paul, Tulsa, Okla.; Logan Payne, Fort Scott, Kansas;

Mary Reinhardt, Little Rock, Ark.; Katherine Rhoades, Springfield, Mo.; Katherine Shreves, Warrensburg, Mo.; Kayla Shrum, Conway, Ark.; Gary Sloan, Harrison, Ark.; Karl Sonntag, Lowell, Ark.; Dia St. John, Claremore, Okla.; Charles Starbird, Van Buren, Ark.; Mallory Taylor, Cordova, Tenn.; John Teague, Jonesboro, Ark.; Andrew Thompson, Benton, Ark.; Elizabeth Thurman, Arlington, Texas; Paul Valentine, Bentonville, Ark.; Bryant Virden, Morrilton, Ark.; Daniel Weatherall, Dallas, Texas; Robert Webb, Conway, Ark.; Samantha Wempe, Fayetteville, Ark.; Kimber Wenzelburger, Girard , Kansas; Rebecca West, Roland, Ark.; Helen Wick, Stilwell, Okla.; William Williams, Alexander, Ark.; Sidney Winford, Greenwood, Ark.; Stephanie Wise, Sherwood, Ark.; Donald Woods, Poplar Grove, Ark.