Civil Engineering Students Awarded Scholarship to Improve Arkansas Highways

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From left, Jack Buffington, Emanuel Banks, Kevin Weston, Colton Horn, Bob Crafton, Harold Beaver, and Dan Flowers.

The Arkansas Good Roads programs has awarded scholarships to civil engineering students Colton Horn, a senior from Subiaco, and Kevin Weston, a junior from Benton. Horn and Weston were awarded the scholarship during a reception on Oct. 6.

"We are extremely proud of these two students," said Micah Hale, head of the Department of Civil Engineering. "It's incredible to see Arkansas Good Roads recognizing the potential in Colton and Kevin."

Arkansas has one of the largest state highway systems in the nation, but lacks the dedicated revenue to adequately support it. The Arkansas Department of Transportation's routine maintenance exceeds available funding. Arkansas ranks 12th in the nation in the size of the state highway system, but ranks 43rd in revenue to operate and improve the system. Those facts create a great opportunity for our elected and appointed leaders, and for all Arkansans.

Arkansas Good Roads organization creates awareness of the benefits of improving roads, bridges, and other key transportation infrastructure in Arkansas by researching, evaluating, and publicizing data focused on transportation, all the while producing measurable benefits for all Arkansans. Each year the organization grants scholarships in the amount of $5,000 to outstanding civil engineering students in their junior or senior year with a commitment to work within the highway construction industry in Arkansas for a minimum of one year upon graduation to aide in improving upon the highway systems. Applicants must be enrolled in a civil engineering program in Arkansas, be in good standing, four semesters from graduation, and have an overall GPA of 2.8 or higher on a 4.0 scale.