FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Scott Shackelford, a graduate student at the University of Arkansas, has been awarded a James Madison Fellowship by the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation.

The fellowship will fund up to $24,000 of Shackelford's course of study toward a master's degree so long as the program includes a concentration of courses on the history and principles of the U.S. Constitution. It also requires that he teach American history or social studies in a secondary school for at least one year for each year of fellowship support.

"The Graduate School could not be more proud of Scott's achievement in receiving this prestigious award," said Kim Needy, dean of the Graduate School and International Education. "His accomplishment speaks to the caliber of graduate students we have at the University of Arkansas."

Shackleford is pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from the College of Education and Health Professions.

"We love to see people with Scott's enthusiasm and deep interest in a subject area enter the teaching profession," said Tom Smith, dean of the College of Education and Health Professions. "Many of our students exhibit this dedication and desire to share knowledge with young people, and we are pleased that the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation is recognizing Scott in this way."

The fellowship is named in honor of the fourth president of the United States, James Madison, the acknowledged father of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

"A better understanding of our nation and world is a fundamental requirement of any age," Shackelford said. "For me, U.S. history has always been especially entertaining to learn more about, and in no small measure that has been because of one great teacher after another. Now those memories have become an inspiration. I owe a lot of good people sincere thanks for this opportunity."

Shackelford has earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and political science and a master's degree in political science from the university. He also worked as a writer for the Northwest Arkansas Times before pursuing graduate school.

The award is intended to recognize promising and distinguished teachers, to strengthen their knowledge of the origins and development of American constitutional government, and then to expose secondary school students to the nation's constitutional heritage.

"The notion of pairing myself with this terrific honor is a humbling thought," said Shackelford. "I have been blessed to learn from many accomplished and skilled educators over the years. Hopefully the difficult work required to successfully navigate the university's M.A.T. program will give me a chance to start paying back all of that wisdom and generosity."

The fellowship is funded by income from a trust fund in the Treasury of the United States as well as from private gifts, corporate contributions and foundation grants.

About the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation: The foundation was created by an act of Congress in 1986 as an independent agency of the executive branch of the federal government. In addition to offering fellowships, the foundation undertakes other activities related to secondary school education about the Constitution's history.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.