Bennett

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Three University of Arkansas students have won National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowships, while four more have received honorable mention.

This year’s UA students selected include Ashlea Rae Bennett , an industrial engineering major holding both a Chancellor’s and Governor’s Scholarship from Malvern; David Norris, a physics major and a Bodenhamer Fellow and Governor’s Scholar from Benton; Christy White, a chemical engineering major and a Chancellor’s and a Governor’s Scholar from Maumelle.

The four students earning honorable mentions are Karen Naufel, a psychology major and Chancellor’s Scholar from Broken Arrow, Okla.; Robin Prince, a mechanical engineering major and a Chancellor’s Scholar from Farmington; Eric Skaug, a computer science major and a Sturgis Fellow and Governor’s Scholar from Fayetteville; and Courtney Wilkins, a microbiology major and a Chancellor’s and Governor’s Scholar from Jacksonville.

Prince

"It has been another great year for University of Arkansas students," said UA Chancellor John A. White. "For the University to claim three National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship recipients in one year is evidence of the academic talent in our student body. And what amazing students they are. Ashlea excelled in my engineering economic analysis course as she has in all her classes. David has already received a Morris Udall Scholarship and a Barry Goldwater Scholarship. Christy has been taking 4000 level engineering and mathematics courses since her sophomore year. The four students who received honorable mention are equally talented. We will be reading about the accomplishments of these students in the years ahead."

In 2002, four UA students received NSF Fellowships and two earned honorable mentions.

The graduate fellowship program is one of NSF’s oldest and most highly competitive, with roots in NSF’s original 1950 charter, offering support for graduate study in all scientific disciplines. NSF graduate fellows are promising young mathematicians, scientists and engineers who are expected to pursue lifelong careers marked by significant contributions to research, teaching and industrial applications in science, mathematics and engineering.

Skaug

Donald Bobbitt, interim dean of the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, said, "Our students are consistently competing for and winning such national honors. I’m proud of them and of all UA students being recognized by the National Science Foundation. This honor demonstrates once again the continuing success of our students and the high quality education they receive at the University of Arkansas."

Awards made in March 2003 carry a stipend for each fellow of $21,500 for a 12-month tenure (prorated monthly at $1,791 for lesser periods). In addition to the funds for stipend payments, the NSF provides the fellowship institution, on behalf of each fellow, a cost-of-education allowance of $10,500 per tenure year.

Neil Schmitt, interim dean of the College of Engineering, said, "We thrilled that students in the engineering disciplines continue to be competitive in national scholarship competitions. We’re thrilled, but not surprised. With the valuable educational and research opportunities available to our students, they are being provided with the tools they need to stand out here, and nationally."

The new fellowships will be for maximum tenure periods of three years usable over a five-year period. Recipients may begin fellowship tenure in the summer or fall term. Tenure must be completed before the beginning of the 2008 fall term. Normal tenure for a Fellow is 9 to 12 months for each fellowship year; funds for unutilized months are forfeited. A Fellow may reserve any two years over the five-year period to use an alternative means of support or to engage in activities other than graduate study. No individual will be eligible for more than three years of NSF Graduate Fellowship support.

"We are delighted that the word is getting out to our students about these national competitions. More students are applying each year and are being rewarded in ever increasing numbers," said Suzanne McCray, associate dean of the Honors College. "The most compelling reason our students are competitive is the emphasis placed on research. Undergraduates are encouraged to participate. Faculty generously open their labs or their offices, encouraging student to explore their ideas in a systematic way. These research experiences inspire confidence, making it clear to foundations that the student is ready to embrace the rigors of graduate school."

The University’s NSF Graduate Fellowship history includes: Matt Covington, physics, 2002; Amber Lehrman, industrial engineering, 2002; Laney Philpott, chemical engineering, 2002; Whitney Townsend, graduate studies, 2002; Amber Straughn, (honorable mention), physics, 2002; Christy White (honorable mention), chemical engineering, 2002; Elizabeth Dunn, biochemistry, 2001; Laura Fields, physics, 2001; Timothy Ferguson, mechanical engineering, 2000; Jason Reed, (honorable mention) mathematics, 2000; Carl Somers, (honorable mention) sociology, 2000; Christina Wills, (honorable mention) ecology, 1999; Anne Taunton, (honorable mention) geoscience, 1999; Timothy Ferguson, (honorable mention) mechanical engineering, 1999; Lori Galloway, psychology, 1998; and David Tabb, microbiology, 1996.