FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Jessie Daspit, an apparel merchandising and product development major at the U of A, has been named winner of a Women in Toys Foundation Inc. Scholarship for 2019.

Daspit and Kathy Smith, clinical associate professor of apparel merchandising and product development in the School of Human Environmental Sciences, attended the annual WIT Gala in New York City where she was presented her scholarship. Examples of her work include a class project where students created and designed clothes and costumes for Walmart's My Life As dolls.

"When I found out I had won the scholarship, I was so excited and felt relieved that my hard work was paying off," said Daspit. "I remember how I felt after I found out my design for Walmart's My Life As was selected and finding out I received the scholarship was a very similar feeling. I am so grateful to have professors in the AMPD major that give my peers and I resources to be able to get recognized for our accomplishments. I had such an amazing experience at the WIT gala and being able to represent the University of Arkansas at the event with Dr. Smith was a proud moment for me. The gala had so many influential, strong and talented women accepting awards who are CEOs, presidents and vice presidents of major brands and companies, and to even be invited to the same event was awesome!" 

Daspit, who graduates this summer, is a senior from Houston, Texas. Her scholarship is for $2,500.

"Jessie is our third student in as many years to receive this award from the WIT organization," said Smith. "Our affiliation with WIT began with our participation in a student design project with the toy department at Walmart, which was recognized by the WIT organization. Jessie's design was also chosen by Walmart as a finalist in their production line."

"My experience in the AMPD program has really given me a place to call a home away from home," said Daspit. "I am so thankful to have professors who care about their students and who are really here to help us with whatever we need. The program as a whole has made me very well-rounded in my knowledge of apparel and without this program I don't think I would be able to showcase my creativity and passion."

The WIT event was in February at Pier 60 with more than 800 guests. The 15th Annual Wonder Women Awards recognized women for achievements in toys, licensing and entertainment.

The WIT Foundation honors achievements of women studying in fields of toy design, engineering, entrepreneurship and business with the purpose of highlighting students in toy-related careers.

The School of Human Environmental Sciences is part of the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture.

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 2.7 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.