Twelve University of Arkansas students in the College of Education and Health Professions were awarded the 2020-21 John H. and Jane W. Donaldson Endowed Memorial Scholarship.

The students are pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching degree and working as interns in local school districts to gain valuable hands-on training before leading their own classrooms after graduation.

The recipients are Alyssa Busbee, Evyn Doran, Carter Franklin, Jonathan Hash, Laura Hurst, Kathryn Jones, Benjamin Lester, Abigail McCoy, Sydney Pierce, Kaylee Smith, Joseph Snow and Sydney Stringer.

The students were honored at a virtual scholarship event recently. In addition to a $10,000 award, each received a medallion bearing the name of the scholarship and the 2020-21 school year.

College of Education and Health Professions Dean Brian Primack spoke at the event and three former deans in the college, Reed Greenwood, Tom Smith and Michael Miller, were also in attendance. Donaldson family members from Arkansas and across the country were also able to participate in the event as it was a virtual format this year.

The scholarship fund was established by Col. John H. Donaldson, a 1938 alumnus of the College of Education and Health Professions, and his wife, Jane, in the mid-1990s. Col. Donaldson's nephew and namesake, John Donaldson of Bentonville — and his wife, Eileen — presided over the virtual event, sharing about his uncle's remarkable life.

While at the U of A on an athletic scholarship, Little Rock native Donaldson lettered in football and basketball and participated in track. His intention was to become a coach, but a knee injury prevented him from being as active in sports as he had hoped. Following graduation from the U of A, Donaldson worked in the lumber business.

He met and married Jane Weathersby in 1940 and a year later entered the U.S. Army as a first lieutenant. After infantry training in Georgia and Texas, he was assigned to the 79th Infantry Division in Yuma, Ariz. It was that Division that on June 14, 1944, crossed the English Channel as part of the D-Day invasion forces that landed on Utah Beach. His 31 years of active military service led Donaldson to many countries and ultimately, he earned the rank of Colonel. He received the Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart with three clusters and numerous other medals and awards.

About the College of Education and Health Professions: The College of Education and Health Professions offers advanced academic degrees as well as professional development opportunities and learning communities in service to the education and health systems of Arkansas and beyond. The college provides the education and experiences for a variety of professional roles, ranging from community mental health counselors to school teachers and leaders. Programs in adult and higher education, along with educational technology and sport management, offer a broad range of options. In addition to education-related opportunities, the college prepares nurses, speech-language pathologists, health educators and administrators, recreation professionals, rehabilitation counselors and human performance researchers.