The U of A Global Campus named 25 students to receive W.E. Manning Memorial Scholarships totaling $50,000 in the 2021-22 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 delighted to recognize these amazing students and help them achieve their educational goals.”

Each of the 25 awardees will receive a $2,000 scholarship, which will be distributed $1,000 per fall and spring semester. They are studying in online degree programs offered by the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences; the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences; the Sam M. Walton College of Business; the College of Education and Health Professions; and the College of Engineering.

The recipients, their hometowns, and their online degree programs are:

• Alyson Ballew, Fayetteville, Doctor of Education in human resource and workforce development education
• Carlin Beiler, Harrison, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in accounting
• Sarah Brown, Fayetteville, Master of Education in human resource and workforce development education
• Haley Burden, Decatur, Master of Science in agricultural and extension education
• Travean Caldwell, Crossett, Master of Education in physical education
• William Chambers, Alexandria, Virginia, Master of Science in operations management
• Carla Deisher, Salem, Virginia, Licensed Practical Nurse to Bachelor of Science in nursing
• Ericka Eggleston, Olive Branch, Mississippi, Doctor of Education in adult and lifelong learning
• Andrea Embrey, Beebe, Master of Education in special education
• Cindi Garcia, Fort Smith, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in accounting
• Tressyn Gehl, Orleans, Indiana, Licensed Practical Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Amy Hopper, Little Rock, Executive Master of Business Administration
• Khaleelah Jacks, Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Licensed Practical Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Kelly Johnson, Forest Hill, Texas, Licensed Practical Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Lisa Johnson, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Doctor of Education in adult and lifelong learning
• Caitlin Laney, Fayetteville, Professional Master of Applied Business Analytics
• Brett Littlejohn, Bentonville, Executive Master of Business Administration
• Madeline McCulloch, Little Rock, Bachelor of Arts in communication
• Kirstyn Salehi, Jonesboro, Doctor of Education in educational leadership
• Brandon Salvo, Harleysville, Pennsylvania, Master of Education in physical education
• Stormy Speaks, Nashville, Tennessee, Doctor of Education in human resource and workforce development education
• Jennifer Terry, Bentonville, Master of Education in special education
• Charlee Tubbs, Wimaima, Florida, Doctor of Education in human resource and workforce development education
• Laura Wenger, Hot Springs, Licensed Practical Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing

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

About the scholarship

The number Manning scholarship recipients grew to 25 in 2021, which is almost six times the number given in the scholarship’s inaugural year in 2018, when four scholarships were awarded. In recent years, the Global Campus invested more than $1 million to the scholarship’s endowed fund. Generous donors have added to that amount through fundraising efforts like “All in for Arkansas.”

Friends and co-workers of W.E. Manning established the scholarship fund with about $4,000 soon after Manning died in 1993. 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.

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. Anyone can donate to the scholarship fund online.

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: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas’ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the top 3% of U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research News.