UA LAW SCHOOL AWARDS RODNEY E. MOMON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas has announced its first Rodney E. Momon Scholarship recipient, Maurice Rigsby of Rosston.

The Rodney Edrick Momon Memorial Scholarship was established in 1999 by Rodney's parents, Robert and Alberta Momon of Ivan, Ark.  The scholarship is awarded on an annual basis to a first-year, African-American law student at the University of Arkansas based on the interest available from the endowment.

"It means a lot, knowing the things Rodney stood for," Rigsby said. "He was committed to education and civic activities. I'm obligated to do the same thing he did for other students and want to be a good representation for other students."

Rigsby, the son of Ruthenia Rigsby and Robert Johnson, is a first-year law student who got his undergraduate degree from Philander Smith College in Little Rock. After getting his undergraduate degree, he worked in Little Rock at the capital as a congressional legislative assistant.

"Maurice is a very deserving recipient of the Rodney E. Momon Memorial Scholarship," said Lonnie Williams, assistant vice chancellor for student affairs. "Like Rodney, he has a passion for public service, is articulate and intelligent and is just an all-around great person. It was very thoughtful of Rodney to set aside funds for this scholarship in his will and a very loving deed on the part of Mr. and Mrs. Momon to raise the endowment to its current level."

Momon attended the University of Arkansas from 1986-1991 and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering. After completing his active duty requirement with the U.S. Air Force, he returned to the University in the fall of 1996 to begin law school. He was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, where he served as chapter president, and was a proud member of Masonic Lodge #347 in Fayetteville. 

During his first semester in law school, he was diagnosed with cancer and withdrew in the spring of 1997. He died Sept. 23, 1997.

He left $10,000 in his will and asked his parents to establish a scholarship to help a first-year, African-American law student. With the help of friends, the Momons raised an additional $11,000 to bring the endowment to $21,000.

Rigsby said the scholarship enabled him to attend law school and without it would not have come to the Fayetteville campus.

"When I was first accepted into law school, I couldn't afford it," Rigsby said. "The scholarship helped me not worry about finances and gave me the opportunity to be in law school and advance my education. In graduate and law school there is so much to do, you don't need to worry about financial burdens. I am very honored."

The team of Maurice Rigsby and another first-year law student, Rachel Dockery, recently won the regional rounds of the American Bar Association's Client Counseling Competition, held at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.  The team will next compete in the national finals in Sacramento, California in March.