University of Arkansas Students Earn Almost $2 Million in Awards

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – More than 200 University of Arkansas students received nearly $2 million in competitive scholarships, fellowships and grants during the 2011-12 academic year. The awards came on both the state and national level, and were earned on the basis of such factors as academic achievement, research and community involvement. The students will use the funding to help pay for either their undergraduate studies or future graduate work.

The university’s office of nationally competitive awards honored these students and their faculty mentors on Monday, April 30, during its annual reception at the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House. Provost Sharon Gaber and Dean Bob McMath presented awards to the students and faculty mentors.

In her opening remarks, Gaber praised University of Arkansas faculty for helping students frame research questions, supporting their investigative and creative efforts, assisting them through applications, writing recommendation letters — all while teaching and conducting their own research. She commended the students for their continued success with the nation’s most prestigious and competitive honors including the Barry Goldwater, Harry S. Truman, and Morris K. Udall Scholarships, and the National Science Foundation Fellowship.

Overall, the university has produced 46 Goldwater Scholars, 56 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellows, 45 Fulbright Scholars, 16 Truman Scholars, 6 Marshall Scholars, 5 Madison Scholars, 6 Morris Udall Scholars, 2 Gates Cambridge Scholars, and 10 Rhodes Scholars since the first Rhodes Scholarship was awarded to a University of Arkansas student in 1904

“What our students win at the state and national level each year is nothing short of amazing,” said Gaber. “They are excellent students, and they work collaboratively with talented, well-known faculty members. It’s a winning combination. This annual event allows us to celebrate their successes.”

Honors directors in each undergraduate college or school were introduced by 2012 Truman Scholar, Mike Norton, a junior from the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences. They were recognized for the ongoing contribution to high achieving students. Saba Naseem, a senior from the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences who will study in Jordan this summer as a 2012 Critical Language Scholar, presented the advising team in the office of study abroad with special awards as well.

Each year the office of nationally competitive awards selects six to seven faculty mentors for special recognition for their dedicated service to students. Suzanne McCray, director of the office and emcee of the event, presented Faculty Gold Medal Awards to:

• Curt Rom, Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

• Lanier Nalley, Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

• Freddie Bowles, College of Education and Health Professions

• Bob Beitle, College of Engineering

• David Zaharoff, College of Engineering

• Hope Christiansen, J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences

• Molly Rapert, Sam M. Walton College of Business

The Departmental Gold Medal went to the department of marketing in the Walton College. Previous recipients include international relations, biological sciences, chemical engineering, history, political science, economics, world languages and physics. 

Nan Smith-Blair, who is stepping down this year as director of the nursing program and returning to teaching in the College of Education and Health Professions, received a lifetime achievement award.

“The recognition and funding that these students receive is not the end goal,” said McCray. “The funds help them realize important goals as they head into careers in business, STEM fields, medicine, international relations, architecture, social sciences, the arts and much more, where they want to make a real contribution to their disciplines and to their communities. The support they receive from faculty helps make that possible.”

The office of nationally competitive awards is a part of the Division of Enrollment Services and provides advising and support for University of Arkansas students and recent graduates who are interested in applying for state and national level scholarships and grants. Students interested in learning more should visit awards.uark.edu or call 479-575-7940.