FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas Global Campus named 23 students to receive W.E. Manning Memorial Scholarships totaling $43,000 in the 2020-21 academic year. The Manning scholarship helps support U of A students studying in online undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

“Online programs help students overcome the barriers of distance and time to access higher education, and this scholarship helps them surmount the barrier of cost,” said Cheryl Murphy, vice provost for distance education and leader of the Global Campus. “We are proud to honor these outstanding students with scholarships to help them complete their academic journeys.”

Recipients, their scholarship amounts, hometowns and online degree programs are:

• Alesha Anderson, $2,000, Compton, registered nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (R.N. to B.S.N.)
• Kaylee Armendariz, $2,000, Fayetteville, Doctor of Nursing Practice
• Alyson Ballew, Fayetteville, $2,000, Doctor of Education in Human Resource and Workforce Development
• Angela Gardner, $2,000, North Little Rock, Executive Master of Business Administration
• Ashley Hill, $2,000, Forrest City, Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
• Ryan Jenkins, $2,000, Fayetteville, Master of Education in Physical Education
• Crystal Johnson, $2,000, Fayetteville, Licensed Practical Nurse to B.S.N. (L.P.N. to B.S.N.)
• Linda Juve, $2,000, Plentywood, Montana, L.P.N. to B.S.N.
• Adam LaVigne, $1,000, Rohnert, California, Master of Education in Physical Education
• Keith James Lewis, $2,000, Sigonella, Sicily, Italy, Master of Education in Adult and Lifelong Learning
• Rebecca Marshall, $1,000, Sheridan, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, General Business
• Cassandra Montgomery, $2,000, Dallas, Texas, Master of Education in Adult and Lifelong Learning
• Barbara Barroso Perez, $2,000, Springdale, Bachelor of Arts in Communication
• Jessica Robinson, $2,000, Fayetteville, Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
• Jason Rose, $2,000, Fort Smith, Master of Science in Engineering Management
• Jennifer Sackett, $2,000, Dublin, Ohio, Master of Education in Special Education
• Bushra Salamah, $2,000, Zionsville, Indiana, Doctor of Nursing Practice
• Lisa Schrag, $2,000, Bentonville, Bachelor of Arts in Communication
• Amanda Seidenzahl, $2,000, Van Buren, Doctor of Education in Human Resource and Workforce Development
• Kelley Sells, $2,000, Copan, Oklahoma, Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
• Rebecca Sterner, $2,000, Mena, Master of Science in Agricultural and Extension Education
• Jay Weatherford, $1,000, Marion, Master of Education in Physical Education
• Daniel Wooten, $2,000, Kennewick, Washington, Master of Science in Operations Management

Students awarded $1,000 scholarships plan to graduate in fall 2020. Those awarded $2,000 schoarships plan to study in the fall 2020 and spring 2021 semesters.

The Global Campus scholarship committee selected recipients based on their financial need, academic merit or significant community service. Preference was given to first-generation higher education seekers and Arkansas residents.

About the scholarship

The number of 2020 Manning scholarship recipients has grown to 23, more than five times the number of scholarships awarded in its inaugural year of 2018. The Global Campus has increased the number of scholarship recipients each year as the scholarship fund grew to support more awards.

The Global Campus invested more than $1 million over the last three years to help bring the current endowed fund to $1,048,239. Generous donations through the “All in for Arkansas” campaign also added to the total.

Co-workers and friends established the W.E. Manning Memorial Scholarship fund soon after Manning died in 1993, with about $4,000. At the time of his death, Manning was studying in a U of A doctoral program and managing independent study programs, a forerunner of today’s Self-Paced Online Courses.

“This scholarship program began as a heart-felt gesture by co-workers and friends of William E. Manning Jr., a man who was passionate about serving students and continuing his own education,” said Donald Judges, former head of the Global Campus.

Learn more about U of A online students on the Student Experience page of the U of A ONLINE website, where online degree programs are showcased.

About the Global Campus: The Global Campus supports U of A colleges and schools in the development and delivery of online, distance and workforce education programs and courses. It provides instructional design services, technology services and assistance with marketing, recruiting and strategic academic development.

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 fewer than 3% of colleges and 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.