Sponsored Student Programs Appreciation Award Recipients Announced

University of Arkansas sponsored students.

From left, Gloria Flores Passmore, director of the Office of Sponsored Student Programs; R. Paneer Selvam, 2015 Faculty Award recipient; Kim LaScola Needy, dean of the Graduate School and International Education.

Gloria Flores Passmore, director of the Office of Sponsored Student Programs; Jean-François Meullenet, 2014 Faculty Award recipient; Kim LaScola Needy, dean of the Graduate School and International Education; Patricia Koski, associate dean.

Gloria Flores Passmore, director of the Office of Sponsored Student Programs; Nami Bagirimvano and Cameron Caja, 2015 Staff Award recipients, and Dean Kim Needy.

Photo Submitted

Sponsored students at the University of Arkansas

The University of Arkansas Graduate School and International Education is pleased to announce the recipients of the annual Sponsored Student Programs Appreciation Awards for the 2014-15 academic year. 

Since 2010, an award has been presented each year to faculty and staff members who have facilitated an aspect of the sponsored student process, encouraged or mentored sponsored students and exemplified outstanding contributions to the sponsored student program. 

This year's award recipients are:

Fall 2014 

• Faculty Appreciation: Jean-Francois Meullenet, head of the Department of Food Science 
• Staff Appreciation: Jeremy Youmans, online program coordinator operations management

Spring 2015

• R. Panneer Selvam, University Professor and graduate coordinator of civil engineering
• Staff Appreciation: Nami Bagirimvano, associate director for retention programs in the Office of International Students and Scholars and Cameron Caja, visiting student program coordinator in the the Office of International Students and Scholars

In addition to recognizing outstanding faculty and staff, the event honors sponsored students who will complete their studies at the University of Arkansas during the 2014-15 academic year.

"I have not only learned much from my experience in the USA and the University of Arkansas, but now I realize how much more I have learned about my own culture," said Natasa Danilovic, a sponsored student from Serbia.  

Several sponsored students said they were glad to have been a member of the U of A community during the time of their scholarship and that they loved the time they spent in Arkansas.

"I want to thank all of the University of Arkansas faculty and staff for providing a wonderful academic environment," said Mahmut Tutam, a sponsored student from Turkey. "I would like also to thank the staff of the Office of Sponsored Student Programs for helping me and my peers immediately when we needed their help."

Sponsored students are those who are funded by foreign governments, the U.S. government, domestic and international agencies, private companies and corporations. These international students, upon completion of their degrees, return to their home countries and serve as important links between the United States, Arkansas and the U of A in business, government, education and industry.