The University of Arkansas Staff Senate is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2011-2012 Staff Senate Scholarships.

The Staff Senate scholarship committee awarded six scholarships for the 2011-2012 academic year.  The senate annually awards at least three scholarships: the Rick A. Haley Memorial Scholarship, the Barbara G. Taylor Scholarship and the Susan Imes Yell Scholarship.

The recipients of the three named scholarships were awarded to Melinda Dunlap, the Susan Imes Yell Scholarship; Susan Stiers, the Rick A. Haley Memorial Scholarship; and Phyllis Todd, the Barbara G. Taylor Scholarship. Three additional general Staff Senate Scholarships were also granted to Catherine E. Donnelly, Jacquline Micheletto and Kenetheia Reed.

"The need for these scholarships is apparent as you review the applications. We feel confident the scholarships will encourage staff members to continue their quest for a degree," said Michele Payne, scholarship committee chair.

The recipients were presented with certificates on Thursday, July 14, during the regularly scheduled staff senate meeting. Provost Sharon Gaber and recipient's supervisors were in attendance.

"The University of Arkansas’ mission is education and this mission includes our staff members. It is rewarding to see our staff members being able to pursue their education. I applaud staff senate for their efforts in supporting our staff," Gaber said.

These scholarships were developed to promote and encourage staff development through higher education in undergraduate and graduate studies. At least three need based scholarships are granted to degree seeking staff members each year.

Applicants must be a 100 percent appointed, full-time University of Arkansas, Fayetteville staff employee for at least one year prior to the scholarship deadline and demonstrate financial need. Additional criteria are listed on the website.

The Staff Senate is an employee group on the University of Arkansas campus whose primary function is to work with university administrators to address staff concerns related to the quality of work life on the UA campus. The Staff Senate represents nearly 3,600 employees on the Fayetteville campus.

Further information may be found on the Staff Senate website.  Questions may be referred to Michele Payne, Staff Senate Scholarship Committee chair, at payne@uark.edu or 479-575-4436.