SUZANNE MCCRAY NAMED PRESIDENT OF NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FELLOWSHIPS ADVISORS FOR 2003-2005

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - At this summer’s National Association of Fellowships Advisors Conference held in Denver, Colorado, University of Arkansas Honors College Associate Dean Suzanne McCray was named president. More than 250 member institutions and scholarship foundations attended the conference titled Beyond Winning: National Competitions and the Student Experience.

"Participating in the National Association of Fellowships Advisors (NAFA) has been very rewarding," said Suzanne McCray, who also serves as the director of the Office of Post-Graduate Fellowships. "NAFA is a great resource of information and support. The foundations have been extremely helpful in providing access to these elite scholarships to talented students at all universities, and the University of Arkansas wants to be right there reminding all concerned that our students are among the best in the country."

At the conference, heads of the Rhodes, Marshall, Truman, James Madison, Soros, Gates-Cambridge, and Fulbright scholarship programs were on hand to provide insider tips on application and interview preparation. Representatives from the Morris Udall, Barry Goldwater, NSEP, and others provided workshops. John Rowett, Warden of Rhodes House and head of the Rhodes Trust, spoke on the Rhodes Scholarship effort and on other new Rhodes initiatives like the Mandela-Rhodes Trust. The Rhodes Trusts hosted a reception after his talk to celebrate the Rhodes 100^th anniversary. Jonathan Taylor, head of the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission, announced new scholarships being offered in honors of the 50^th anniversary of that scholarship.

The goals of the NAFA are to provide its membership with access to necessary and not always apparent information concerning national undergraduate and graduate grants, scholarship and fellowships, and to encourage collegiality, to create connections with foundation, and to provide ethical guideline. NAFA connects members through a listserv (originated and maintained by the University of Arkansas) a Web site, a newsletter and beginning this year, a new journal publication.

McCray served as vice-president for NAFA for the previous two years, and at the most recent conference, coordinated a session entitled "What Students Need: An Ethical Approach to Advising." Gordon Johnson, Provost of the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, provided the point of view of the foundations, and various advisors proposed possible solutions for problems advisors sometimes face.

"We are especially proud of Suzanne for her tireless efforts and passion for our student body," Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Bob Smith said. "With so many programs implemented, and people like Suzanne and her dedicated staff at the lead, the future looks bright for not only the UA Honors College, but all students choosing the University of Arkansas."

As associate dean of the Honors College, McCray helped to create the new student lounges and office space now housed in the administration building and to establish honors housing in the Pomfret Honors Quarters. She works closely with both Dr. Smith and Chancellor John A. White managing existing programs and planning proposals for the future in order to serve the more than 1600 outstanding University of Arkansas students now participating in the Honors College.