The U of A Global Campus has awarded 27 U of A students with W.E. Manning Memorial Scholarships totaling $51,000 in the 2023-24 academic year.

The Manning scholarship helps support U of A students studying in online undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Many of these students remain in their communities, work full time and take care of their families while earning a degree.

“The University of Arkansas’ academic colleges offer more online degree programs each year, expanding access to higher education for people regardless of location,” said Cheryl Murphy, vice provost for distance education and leader of the Global Campus. “The Manning scholarship given by the Global Campus helps us remove another barrier to education – that of financial need. We continue to grow and support this scholarship, and we celebrate the Manning Scholars who are improving their lives and strengthening their communities."

For each of the 24 awardees who will receive a $2,000 scholarship, it will be distributed $1,000 per fall and spring semester. The remaining three awardees are graduating in December, so they will receive an award totaling $1,000. 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.

MANNING SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

The recipients, their hometowns and their online degree programs:

• Janet Bean, Maben, Mississippi, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Audrey Briggs, Fayetteville, Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies
• Christina Castorena, Fort Smith, Professional Master of Applied Business Analytics
• Jayalakshmi Chinta, Centerton, Master of Science in Operations Management
• Amy Freeman, Corning, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Tressyn Gehl, Campbellsburg, Indiana, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Jennifer Heaslet, West Fork, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Emily Hoisington, Fayetteville, Bachelor of Science in human development and family sciences
• Raegan Holyfield, Bentonville, Bachelor of Arts in English
• Brittney Laney, Springdale, Master of Education in adult and lifelong learning
• Saravanan Mani, Fayetteville, Master of Science in Engineering Management
• Jennifer Miller, DeWitt, Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies
• Julia Moura, Hot Springs, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in general business
• Olawumi Olasesan, Houston, Texas, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Ruth Parcells, Fayetteville, Professional Master of Applied Business Analytics
• Emma Raines, Newport, Tennessee, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in supply chain management
• Cassie Riddick, Siloam Springs, Bachelor of Arts in communication
• Judith Sanders, Jacksonville, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Mycayla Sawyer, Farmington, Master of Education in human resource and workforce development education
• Leynna Schamp, Lonoke, Master of Science in Operations Management
• Hattie Shelton, Fayetteville, Executive Master of Business Administration
• Beth Shironaka, Texarkana, Master of Education in adult and lifelong learning
• Kaitrin Swinford, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Bachelor of Science in human development and family sciences
• Desiree Tibbs, Rogers, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Laura Wenger, Hot Springs, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Rachel Will, Pine Bluff, Master of Science in human environmental sciences
• Hasnaini Wood, Fayetteville, Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies

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

ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP

The number of Manning scholarship recipients grew to 29 in 2022, which is more than seven 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 in the scholarship’s endowed fund. Generous donors have added to that amount through fundraising efforts such as “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 education, specializing in online, distance and workforce programs and courses. It provides media production services, 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 few 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 and Economic Development News.