Newest Sturgis Fellows Named by Fulbright College

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Top row, from left: Trevor Duke, Veronica Ivester and Taksh Patel; bottom row: Sarah Reaves and Muskan Taori.

Five incoming freshmen from Arkansas have joined the distinguished list of Sturgis Fellows in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences this fall. 

The 2023 class includes:

• Trevor Duke of Little Rock
• Veronica Ivester of Little Rock
• Taksh Patel of Fayetteville
• Sarah Reaves of North Little Rock
• Muskan Taori of Bentonville

“It’s such an honor to welcome the new class of outstanding Sturgis Fellows to campus each year,” said Kathryn Sloan, interim dean of Fulbright College. “These students are among the best and brightest in Arkansas and are so impressive. Each has already accomplished so much, and through this fellowship opportunity, will hopefully have the tools and support to further their education and reach for their next dream.”

“We are honored to welcome them to our Fulbright College family and can’t wait to see what each accomplishes next,” she added.

The Sturgis Fellowship is one of the U of A’s oldest, most esteemed fellowship programs. It awards each fellow $80,000 during their four years to cover tuition, room and board, and educational tools such as computer hardware and software, high-quality musical instruments, access to professional journals and participation at academic conferences.

All Sturgis Fellows are actively pursuing a major within Fulbright College, completing an intensive academic program and writing an independent thesis. They are also encouraged to study abroad and pursue internship opportunities during their time at the U of A. All Sturgis Fellows are also expected to graduate with honors.

The fellowships and their associated opportunities are made possible by the continued support of the Roy and Christine Sturgis Charitable and Educational Trust.

“The Sturgises have created an incredible legacy through this fellowship,” said Lindsey S. Aloia, former director of the Fulbright College Honors Program and recently named an associate dean in the Graduate School and International Education.

“Because of their vision and generosity, we’ve been able to help dozens of incredible scholars to thrive, grow and accomplish amazing things,” she added. “Welcoming a new class of Sturgis Fellows is one the most exciting parts of the fall semester. We are excited for this new cohort. We look forward to building individual relationships with each fellow, encouraging their successes at the U of A and supporting their bright futures.”

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

THE 2023 STURGIS FELLOWS

Trevor Duke is a graduate of Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, where he was a National Merit Scholar, Honor Council co-president and Student Council vice president. He played football, receiving All-Conference honors, winning four straight state championships, and receiving the Brandon Burlsworth Player of the Game award in the 2022 6A State Championship. He frequently volunteered for organizations within his community, including co-leading a food drive for the Arkansas Food Bank and fundraising for victims of earthquakes affecting Syria and Turkey. Duke plans to major in biology and to become a doctor. His parents are Missy and Bryan Duke.

Veronica Ivester is a graduate of Little Rock Christian Academy, where she was a National Hispanic Scholar and an AP Scholar with Distinction. She also served as drum major, president of the Tri-M Music Honors Society, and held officer positions in the Art Society and the Thespian Troupe. Additionally, she participated in All-State Band, jazz band, choir, and was heavily involved in theater, holding lead roles and student-directing a play. She also served on her church’s worship team, volunteered at an animal rescue and maintained an online business. Ivester plans to study arts and sciences. Her parents are Alan and Angelica Ivester.

Taksh Patel is a graduate of Fayetteville High School, where he served as president of the Science National Honor Society, secretary of the National Honor Society and captain of the Science Bowl team. As captain of the Science Bowl team, he led FHS to two consecutive state championships and qualified the team to compete for the national science bowl both times. Additionally, Patel completed research projects in the U of A’s Department of Physics and twice presented his research at the International Science and Engineering Fair. Patel plans to major in physics. His parents are Yogeshbhai and Kinnary Patel.

Sarah Reaves is a graduate of Central Arkansas Christian Schools, where she was co-salutatorian, a National Merit Scholar and an AP Scholar with Distinction. As a competitive gymnast, she was state vault champion, state bars champion and USAG Region 3 floor champion. She was also an All-State clarinet player, received the MHS Band Outstanding Woodwind and Rookie of the Year awards, and won levels 7 and 8 at the regional ASMTA piano competition, receiving nine consecutive superiors at Federation. Additionally, she performed at nursing homes and volunteered in children’s ministry. Reaves plans on majoring in applied mathematics. Her parents are Lance and Jennifer Reaves.

Muskan Taori is a graduate of Bentonville High School, where she graduated with highest honors. She served as treasurer of Bentonville High School HOSA and Arkansas HOSA. She also participated in the health sciences strand of Bentonville’s Ignite Program, where she gained certifications, including EMT and phlebotomy, and assisted at clinics around Northwest Arkansas. Additionally, she served as secretary of Bentonville Library’s Teen Advisory Board, a member of the PURE educational initiative and president of the HANWA Youth Committee, planning events for her local temple. Taori plans on majoring in biochemistry and pursuing a career in oncology. Her parents are Shishir and Rama Taori.

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 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 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.