University of Arkansas Student Makes USA Today All-USA College Academic Team

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- The USA Today All-College Academic Team of 2004 has selected Leremy Colf, a University of Arkansas honors senior from St. George, Utah, as one of 100 top students in the United States.

Colf made the third team and joins a distinguished group of U of A students who have previously received such recognition. Students are chosen based on their academic records, awards, activities, leadership roles and public service. Colf is a Chancellor’s Scholar majoring in biochemistry in Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.

"It was a happy surprise to be included in this group," Colf said. "The support I have received at the university has really been second to none. Faculty members like Dr. Joshua Sakon and Mark Parcells have allowed me the freedom to learn through my own experience, while always being available when I needed help. Participating in undergraduate research has been crucial in my preparation."

Chemistry Professor Sakon described Colf as "one of the most independent, reliable, diligent, motivated and delightful researchers I’ve ever worked with."

Colf’s selection was no surprise to Fulbright College Dean Don Bobbitt, who said: "Leremy has made the most of every opportunity. He searched the internet for summer programs and soon had an enviable internship with the National Institutes of Health. They were certainly impressed with him and asked him back for another summer. He participated in experiments at the Argonne National Lab and has worked with faculty on a variety of projects. And now many graduate programs including Harvard are offering him fellowships to continue his work on their campuses. I truly admire Leremy and his accomplishments. In addition, he is a great person to know."

Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Bob Smith supported Leremy’s application for the team. "Leremy’s level of expertise in virology as an undergraduate is unprecedented in my experience," Smith said. "He was really a perfect choice for this award because, not only is he accomplished in the sciences, but he is well-rounded. He is fluent in Dutch, he tutors, he loves Renaissance painters, and he is involved on campus in a variety of ways."

Previous UA students on this top 100 list include Stephanie Gosnell (Finance, 2003), Ben Hood (Physics/Computer Science Engineering, 2002), Jared Henderson (Physics, 2002), Michael Berumen (Zoology, 2001), Jason Reed (Mathematics, 2000), Angie Maxwell (International Relations, 2000), Amy Drake (Chemistry, 1999), Jamie Wilson (Chemistry, 1999), Ildiko Stone (Biology, 1999), Warwick Sabin (Political Science, 1998), Anna Terry (Chemistry/German/European Studies, 1998), Nam Le (Chemistry, 1995), and Joanna Long (Chemistry, 1990).

Of those students, one has graduated with a Ph.D. from MIT and two have MDs earned at Johns Hopkins and Washington University. Additionally, two have M.Phils from Oxford.

The others are still in graduate schools including St. Andrews in Scotland, Oxford, James Cook University in Australia, Washington University and Harvard.

U of A students recognized by the USA Today All-College Academic Team have been selected by other nationally competitive scholarship programs as well. Three were Truman Scholars. One was a Rhodes Scholar, and two have been Marshall Scholars. Five, including Colf, were Goldwater Scholars.

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