U of A's Fulbright College Introduces 2021 Sturgis Fellows

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Clockwise from left: Nicholas Harp, Haven Jackson, Trinity Tipton, Macy James

Four new freshmen, all Arkansans, have joined the distinguished list of Sturgis Fellows in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences this fall.

The 2021 class members are:

• Nicholas Harp of Berryville
• Haven Jackson of Little Rock
• Macy James of Calico Rock
• Trinity Tipton of Nashville, Arkansas

“Every year, our incoming Sturgis Fellows just astound me with not only the things they’ve already achieved, but with the potential and drive they have for completing their education and the goals they have for bettering the world around us,” said Todd Shields, dean of Fulbright College. “We’re excited to have these fellows become part of our Fulbright College family and can’t wait to see what each of them will do next.”

The Sturgis Fellowship is the U of A's oldest and one of its most esteemed fellowship programs.

It awards each fellow $72,000 over four years, covering tuition, room and board, and provides support for educational tools such as computer hardware and software, high-quality musical instruments, professional journals and participation at academic conferences.

Sturgis Fellows must pursue a major within Fulbright College, complete an intensive academic program and graduate with honors. They are also encouraged to study abroad. The fellowships are made possible by the continued support of the Roy and Christine Sturgis Charitable and Educational Trust.

“The Sturgis Fellowship is one of the most prestigious, sustained fellowships at the University of Arkansas,” said Lindsey S. Aloia, director of the Fulbright College Honors Program. “Because of Roy and Christine Sturgis' continued legacies, dozens of students have thrived in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences for more than three decades. We are excited to welcome four talented scholars this year to the university and look forward to their future successes.” 

Since 1986, Sturgis Fellows have also gone on to win Rhodes, Marshall, Truman, Gates Cambridge, Goldwater and Fulbright Scholarships. Their undergraduate study abroad experiences have included programs in Japan, England, India, South Africa, Ghana, Rwanda, China, Russia, Italy, Germany, Austria, Australia, Scotland, Ireland, Spain, France, Denmark and Thailand.

THE 2021 STURGIS FELLOWS

Nicholas Harp is a graduate of Berryville High School, where he was salutatorian and served in leadership positions including as art director for student council and captain of the Quiz Bowl team. Harp was also very involved in band, playing clarinet in marching and concert band, serving as drum major during senior year and qualifying for ASBOA All-State auditions. He also attended Arkansas Governor’s School, worked as a carhop at Sonic Drive-In through junior and senior year and recently spoke on an Arkansas Gifted and Talented Education panel. He plans to major in political science and aspires to work in the field of education policy. His parents are Claudia and Justin Harp.

Haven Jackson is a graduate with honors of Joe T. Robinson High School in Little Rock, where she was involved in both the National Honor Society and the National Society of High School Scholars. She was also very involved with her high school choir, attending All-Region Choir for four consecutive years and All-State Choir for three. Additionally, she was a member of the start-up of Arkansas’s only high school chapter of the Period Club and has been doing volunteer work with the Arkansas region of Junior Bible Quiz since she was in the seventh grade. She plans to study humanities or social sciences. Her parents are Ricky and Gwendolyn Jackson.

Macy James is a graduate with honors of Calico Rock High School, where she was valedictorian. James was also involved in numerous activities and clubs, serving as president of Mu Alpha Theta, vice president of Beta, in the National English Honors Society and participating in her school’s band and choir programs. Additionally, she also taught blind students and gave music lessons, experiences which inspired her future goals of creating braille music curriculum while teaching at a school for the blind and being an advocate for blind musicians. She plans to major in music education. Her parents are Brian James and Lisa James.

Trinity Tipton is a summa cum laude honor graduate of Nashville High School, where she was involved in numerous activities, including Quiz Bowl, which she served as captain of for five years. Tipton was also vice president of public relations for FCCLA, received gold in a nationally competitive STAR event and served on student council. She also interned at the Law Office of Steel and Gunter, shadowing attorney and district judge Jessica Steel Gunter while also acquiring more than 150 hours of community service. She plans to major in anthropology, minor in political science and later attend law school. Her parents are Denise and Loyd Woodruff and Will and Sunshine Tipton.

ABOUT THE STURGIS FELLOWSHIP

The Sturgis Fellowship in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences was established at the U of A in 1985 through the generous philanthropy of the Dallas-based Roy and Christine Sturgis Charitable and Educational Trust with an endowment of $2 million. The program’s success led to additional gifts in 1992 and 1998, bringing the total program endowment to $10 million.

With only 16-20 Sturgis Fellows on campus at any given time, each receives the kind of individual attention from the director, associate director and staff of the Fulbright College Honors Program that delivers a memorable and productive college experience.

About the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences: The Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences is the largest and most academically diverse unit on campus with three schools, 16 departments and 43 academic programs and research centers. The college provides the majority of the core curriculum for all University of Arkansas students.

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.