Razorback Bridge Scholarships Awarded to Incoming Freshmen

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The first group of Arkansas high school students to earn Razorback Bridge Scholarships will begin studying at the University of Arkansas when classes begin Aug. 23. A total of 24 students from underrepresented populations across the state have been chosen to receive the renewable scholarship and enter an academic program specifically designed to enhance their educational experience and performance.

The Razorback Bridge Scholarship program was established by the university this year. It is sponsored by the Office of Diversity and coordinated by the University of Arkansas Multicultural Center. The program was enhanced by a $400,000 gift to the university from alumnus Richard E. Greene. His gift will fund six Camden E. and Dortha Sue Greene Foundation scholarships, named in honor of his parents. In addition to the scholarship, Greene’s gift will provide these students with funding for trips to visit significant historic sites.

The remaining students will receive Richard E. Greene Razorback Bridge scholarships. All 24 scholarships are for $3,500 a year, renewable as long as the student remains academically qualified.

“The Razorback Bridge program is proof of the University of Arkansas’ commitment to diversity on campus, and to serving underrepresented populations in the state,” said Charles Robinson, vice provost for diversity. “This commitment goes beyond simply bringing these exceptional students to our campus. We are also committing the resources to help them succeed.”

Financial support is only part of the Razorback Bridge program. The students will be provided with many educational resources to guarantee that they have the best opportunity to be personally, socially and academically successful at the university. Those resources include regular meetings with peer and faculty mentors; introduction to academic resources that can ensure high academic achievement; and professional development to help prepare students for life beyond college.

The program will also enable Razorback Bridge students to develop valuable relationships with student and faculty mentors, providing the students with a comfortable and welcoming environment. The academic and social aspects of the program are designed to increase the chances that the students will succeed and stay at the University of Arkansas.

The inaugural class of the Razorback Bridge Scholarship program is made up of Arkansas students who have achieved academic excellence in their high schools and will contribute significantly to the diversity of the university.

“It is important that we as educators continue to understand the importance of attracting in-state, ethnically diverse students to the University of Arkansas by developing and implementing programs to help them attend and be academically successful here,” said Veronikha Salazar, associate director of the Multicultural Center. “This is a group of outstanding students, with ACT scores and grade point averages significantly higher than the national average. They have proven themselves to be hardworking and gifted young people who value education as a method for enhancing society. The university and the city of Fayetteville will be better for having them as part of our community.”

Salazar is leading the Razorback Bridge program with assistance from graduate assistant Jonathon Modica.

The inaugural class members of the Razorback Bridge Scholarship program have a broad range of academic interests and will be represented in all but one college on campus.

J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences

• Corsalyn Allen, from Earle, a graduate of Earle High School, plans to study biology.

• Magdalena Arroyo, from Rogers, a graduate of Rogers Heritage High School, will be an anthropology major.

• Rachel Batson, from Fayetteville, a graduate of Elkins High School, has not chosen a major.

• Eric Caldwell, from Pine Bluff, a graduate of Pine Bluff High School, plans to be a biology major.

• Julia Holiday, from Searcy, a graduate of Searcy High School, is enrolled as a biology major.

• Sara Mantooth, from Lavaca, a graduate of Lavaca High School, will be a mathematics major.

• Jameeka McCray, from Little Rock, a graduate of Hall High School, plans to be a biology major.

• Miguel Negrete, from North Little Rock, a graduate of Catholic High School for Boys, plans to study French and Spanish.

• Gipsye Rothwell, from Fayetteville, a graduate of Fayetteville High School, is enrolled as a pre-physical therapy major.

• Samantha West, from Perry, a graduate of Perryville High School, plans to enter the pre-medical studies program.

• Kenya Weatherspoon, from West Memphis, a graduate of West Memphis High School, plans to be an art major.

Sam M. Walton College of Business

• Edgar Barrales, from Springdale, a graduate of Springdale High School, plans to study international business.

• Chelsea Flowers, from Little Rock, a graduate of Episcopal Collegiate School, is enrolled as a finance major.

• Dania Herrera, from Gentry, a graduate of Gentry High School, plans to be a general business major.

• Jaquelin Sandoval, from Springdale, a graduate of Springdale High School, plans to study business economics.

Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

• Alejandra Gonzalez, from Rogers, a graduate of Rogers Heritage High School, will be an apparel studies major.

• Patricia Lowery, from Western Grove, a graduate of Western Grove High School, plans to be a poultry science major.

• Carmen Perry, from Wynne, a graduate of Wynne High School, is enrolled as a food, nutrition and hospitality major.

College of Engineering

• Students enrolled in the College of Engineering do not pick a major until their sophomore year.

• Kaprisha Fields, from Little Rock, is a graduate of Little Rock Central High School.

• Jarret Franklin, from Maumelle, is a graduate of Academics Plus Charter School.

• Kristen Johnson, from Pine Bluff, is a graduate of Pine Bluff High School.

• Jonathan Martinez, from Fayetteville, is a graduate from John Burroughs High School, St. Louis.

• Gerald Mitchell, from Lonoke, is a a graduate of Lisa Academy.

Fay Jones School of Architecture

• Marquis Brown, from Little Rock, a graduate of Little Rock Central High School, plans to study architecture.