African and African American Studies Announces 2014-15 Scholarship Recipients

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The African and African American studies program in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts has awarded more than $50,000 to 20 scholarship recipients for the 2014-15 academic year, including nine summer 2014 scholarships to support students participating in the program’s faculty-led study abroad to Ghana. The awardees were chosen for their outstanding academic performance, program involvement and campus/community leadership.

“The excellence that our students have achieved over the last several years has been astounding,” said Calvin White Jr, associate professor of history and director of African and African American studies. “Our students have been admitted to top Ph.D. programs and law schools, completed nationally competitive internships and secured employment in the home offices of businesses such as Tyson Foods, J.B. Hunt Trucking and Walmart. Scholarship support from donors and the University of Arkansas make this possible.”

“Our scholarships help our program achieve one of its core objectives, to ensure accessibility to higher education and to study abroad experiences to Arkansas students,” said James Gigantino, assistant professor of history and chair of the program’s scholarship committee. “I am proud of all of our students for achieving so much during their time with us.” 

Kevin McClenney received the L.E. Gene and Jean Read Hudson Access Arkansas Scholarship. A native of Winston-Salem, N.C., majoring in Africa and African American studies and history, McClenney has earned a 4.0 grade point average in all major courses and is an extremely involved member of the program. Additionally, McClenney is a veteran of the United States Air Force.

“AAST has been an essential part of my great UA experience,” McClenney said. “The professors are personable and have gone out of their way to help me in every way, and all the classes are all top-notch in terms of curriculum, teaching styles and subject matter.” 

McClenney will be a part of the program’s study abroad program, “Ghana: From Kingdom, Slavery, Colonialism, Independence and Modern Development,” which is held in the summer of even-numbered years. During their pre-departure studies and their three weeks in Ghana, students discuss Ghana’s involvement in the trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, colonialism, pan-Africanism and the modern world. The summer of 2014 will mark the program’s third trip to Ghana and will be co-led by White and Gigantino.

Ayana Gray, recipient of the Bayard Rustin Endowed Scholarship, will also participate in the Ghana course. An Honors College junior pursuing a combined major in African and African American studies and political science, Gray has been an active member of the program since coming to the university.

“The African and African American Studies program effect on me is multifaceted,” Gray said. “Academically, it’s been nothing short of refreshing to study in depth the continent of Africa as well as the integral role African Americans have played in America’s history.”

Gray credits the program’s influence for her decision to pursue a career in civil rights and immigration law. As part of her scholarship, she will volunteer this year at the Omni Center for Peace, Justice and Ecology .

Scholarship recipients include:

2014-2015 Endowed Scholarships

• LaChassity Phillips, Ronnie Brewer Endowed Scholarship
• Michael Day, Ronnie Brewer Endowed Scholarship
• Ayana Gray, Bayard Rustin Endowed Scholarship
• Tomario King, Dillard’s and CDI Contractors, LLC Endowed Scholarship
• Kassidy Boyle, Dillard’s and CDI Contractors, LLC Endowed Scholarship
• Kevin McClenney, L.E. Gene and Jean Read Hudson Access Arkansas Scholarship

2014-2015 Academic Scholarships

• Tonisha Brown
• Kadeesia Crutchfield
• Antonio Igbokidi
• Tabitha Orr
• Reginald Thurman
• Kassidy Boyle
• Rachel Dukes
• Whitney Frierson
• Laylah Leon
• Dara Gaines

2014 Ghana Study Abroad Scholarships

• Iesha Green
• Kevin McClenney
• Malachi Nichols
• Shareika Pendleton
• Janet Shields
• Sarah Sloan
• Christopher Warren
• Ayana Gray
• LaChassity Phillips

Scholarship awards are given annually to eligible students who have declared a combined major or a minor in African and African American studies. These competitive scholarships help defer the cost of books, tuition and study abroad expenses.

The African and African American studies program expands on the core disciplines of a traditional liberal arts education. Through interdisciplinary study, students may explore the legacy of the African diaspora and African-descended people’s global experiences and the importance of race with a focus on Africa, the United States and the Caribbean.