Nearly 1,038 students applied to graduate this spring from the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, but only 23 of these new alumni did so after maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA and completing more than half of their coursework with the U of A. The group was honored last month at the college's annual spring Scholars Breakfast.

These distinguished scholars are now moving into the next phases of their lives by pursuing graduate degrees in various areas including medicine and law, starting new jobs and even joining the Peace Corps.

"These 2017 scholars are among the best and brightest of Fulbright College," said Todd Shields, dean of Fulbright College. "We are so incredibly proud of them and cannot wait to see where their future studies or career endeavors take them."

New graduates who maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA include:

• Anthropology majors: Regan Pelloquin* (with dual major in Biology), Katherine Sargent*, Carson Stacy*
• Biology majors: Adam Angel*, Alexander Crawford*, Haven Frazier*, Wilson Guillory*, Gina Hauptman*, Justin Klucher*, George Messersmith, Bradley Stone
• Chemistry majors: Rima Bhakta*, Madison Cole*, Madeline Meier*, Fred "Will" Pohlman* (with dual major in animal science),
• English major: Michele Dobbins*
• Economics major: Thomas Selig* (with dual major in finance)
• Physics major: Larissa Markwardt*
• Political Science majors: Bryce Imhoff, Michael Mertle
• Psychology majors: Megan Gardner*, Savannah Goudreau*, Kendall Tooker

Additionally, many of the students also received fellowships from the Honors College, including:

• Honors College Fellows: Adam Angel, Wilson Guillory, Larissa Markwardt, Madeline Meier and Katherine Sargent
• Sturgis Fellows: Fred "Will" Pohlman and Thomas Selig

* Students who were also part of the Fulbright College Honors Program and the Honors College.

About the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences: The J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences is the largest and most academically diverse unit on campus with 19 departments and 43 academic programs and research centers. The college provides the core curriculum for all University of Arkansas students and is named for J. William Fulbright, former university president and longtime U.S. senator.