The U of A Global Campus named 31 students to receive W.E. Manning Memorial Scholarships totaling $59,000 in the 2024-25 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 W.E. Manning Scholarship provides a much-needed boost for many students studying in online degree programs,” said Cheryl Murphy, vice provost for distance education and leader of the Global Campus. “A common thread for these students is they are working, either working professionals looking to advance their skills or people working in one field who want to move into another field. They want to make an impact in the workplace and on their communities. The University of Arkansas’ academic colleges offer more online degree programs each year, both to address demand for a wide range of programs and to expand access to higher education for people regardless of location.”

Each of 28 awardees will receive a $2,000 scholarship to 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. The students 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.

Last year, the Global Campus awarded 27 scholarships for a total of $51,000.

MANNING SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

The recipients, their hometowns and their online degree programs:

• Crystal Boyd, Center, Texas, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Audrey Briggs, Fayetteville, Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies
• Emily Burtnett, Waldron, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in accounting
• Kelsey Crow, Somerville, Alabama, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Jessica Culver, Ozark, Doctor of Education in adult and lifelong learning
• Kathryn Horton, Fayetteville, Executive Master of Business Administration
• Sophia Kohlenberger Bazzi, Little Rock, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in general business
• Kamryn Leo, Rogers, Executive Master of Business Administration
• Cidnie Lewis, Fayetteville, Bachelor of Science in human development and family sciences
• Kristi Lock, Panama City, Florida, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in general business
• Micheal Mathis, Fayetteville, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Tabitha Mays, Benton, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Colby McAtee, Winslow, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in human resources management
• Jennifer Miller, DeWitt, Master of Arts in interdisciplinary studies
• Taylor Morgan, Lincoln, Nebraska, Master of Science in Operations Management
• Olawumi Olasesan, Houston, Texas, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Tiffanie Owens, Harvey, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Ashley Parker, Centre, Alabama, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Alana Phillips-Coffee, Springdale, Master of Human Resource Development
• Nicole Price, Mount Ida, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in accounting
• Cassie Riddick, Siloam Springs, Bachelor of Arts in communication
• Connie Robbins, Fayetteville, Executive Master of Business Administration
• Judith Sanders, Little Rock, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Allison Sandoval, Fayetteville, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Sara Sawyer, Fayetteville, Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies
• Sicily Smith, Springdale, Bachelor of Arts in English
• Saben Strode, Jonesboro, Master of Science in Engineering Management
• Katelyn Thomas, Fayetteville, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in marketing
• Rachel Will, Pine Bluff, Master of Science in agricultural and extension education
• Allison Williamson, Siloam Springs, Bachelor of Human Environmental Sciences in human development and family 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

Four scholarships were awarded in 2018, the inaugural year of the Manning award. 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.

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.