FAYETTEVILLE,
Ark. — Amanda C. Jones, a junior in the Sam
M. Walton College
of Business at the University of Arkansas,
has received a $5,000 Lagrant Foundation scholarship. The Los Angeles-based
foundation awards only 10 of these scholarships nationally each year to
undergraduates.
Chanta
L. Givens, also a Walton College
junior, has received a scholarship grant worth $18,000 from the William G.
McGowan Charitable Fund Inc. of Washington, D.C.
Amanda C. Jones
|
Chanta
L. Givens
|
“Both
of these young women are outstanding students,” said Barbara Lofton, director
of the Walton College Office of Diversity Programs. “They are very excited
about how these scholarships will greatly enhance their educational
opportunities in their last year of college.”
The Lagrant
Foundation’s mission is to increase the number of ethnic minorities in the
fields of advertising, marketing and public relations by providing scholarships,
career development workshops, enrichment programs, professional development,
mentors and internships to African Americans, American Indians/Native
Americans, Asian Pacific Americans and Hispanics/Latinos. The foundation is
based in Los Angeles, Calif.
As part of the
scholarship, Jones will travel to New York City
this summer for three days where she will receive her award. She will also have
access to career mentoring and attend a career development workshop.
Jones is a
marketing management major from North Little Rock.
She is in the Walton College Honors Program and serves as vice president of
Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Last spring, she was chosen as a finalist in the
Saatchi & Saatchi X Northwest Arkansas Diversity Internship Challenge. She
won an internship for the summer working for Tyson Foods Inc. in brand
management. She will graduate in 2008, and she hopes to go into sports
management.
Givens,
an accounting major from Little Rock,
will use part of her scholarship to study abroad in Brazil
this summer. She is in the Walton College Honors Program and treasurer this
year for the National Association of Black Accountants.
William
G. McGowan was the founder of MCI Communications Corp. in 1968. He introduced competition
into what had previously been a closed monopolistic industry. He recognized in
education a unique means for instilling and fulfilling vision. He also believed
in finding ways to access the untapped treasures housed in the minds and
spirits of the young and putting to good use that crucial human resource.
The
McGowan Charitable Fund established the McGowan Scholars to provide selected
colleges and universities with scholarships to help students who wish to pursue
a business education. The program is based on the experience of McGowan during
his college days. Though admitted to Harvard
Business School
to study for an MBA degree, he did not have sufficient funds to complete his
studies. He won Harvard's Baker Scholars award, which provided the funds
necessary for him to earn his degree and launch a successful business career.
The
McGowan Scholars program recognizes the academic achievements and excellence of
students pursuing a major offered by an accredited business school. It is
designed to encourage leadership ability, interpersonal skills and a
significant involvement in academic, campus and community activities. It also
recognizes excellence of character, a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurial
potential.