The Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the U of A has selected eight outstanding incoming first-year students as the landmark 40th class of Sturgis Fellows.
The Sturgis Fellowship is the oldest and one of the most prestigious undergraduate fellowship programs at the U of A. Awarding each fellow $80,000 over four years, the scholarship covers tuition, room and board, books, and other academic expenses directly connected to each student's major or research interests. The fellowship provides scholars with the financial freedom to pursue original research, study abroad, service learning and other ambitious academic pursuits.
The 2026 Sturgis Fellows are:
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Owen Duke — Little Rock
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Phoebe Hopper — Magazine
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Mattie Jimmerson — Cabot
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Sarah Karp — Elm Springs
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Myca Kweekul — Bryant
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Aaron Oesterle — Elm Springs
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Sangamitra (Sangu) Reshmy — Bentonville
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Celeste Turner — Siloam Springs
A Historic Milestone of Academic Excellence
"Fulbright College is incredibly proud to welcome the milestone 40th class of Sturgis Fellows to our college and to the University of Arkansas," said Brian Raines, dean of Fulbright College. "These eight students represent some of the most extraordinary talent, passion and ambition across Arkansas. Through this fellowship, they will receive a world-class education, mentorship and resources within Fulbright College to pursue their academic and personal goals."
Established in 1986 through the continued support of the Roy and Christine Sturgis Charitable and Educational Trust, the Sturgis Fellowship has fostered generations of academic leaders, innovators and public servants.
"Celebrating our 40th class of Sturgis Fellows is a historic milestone for Fulbright College," said Jill Geisler Wheeler, director of honors and experiential learning. "For four decades, the Sturgis 'family' has continued to grow, fostering lifelong connections and empowering scholars to lead, innovate and make a profound impact in their communities and careers."
Laurence Hare, executive director of the Fulbright Office of Undergraduate Excellence and Global Engagement, echoed those sentiments: "The Sturgis family's vision and generosity have shaped generations of scholars at the U of A. We are excited to see how this landmark 40th class will thrive and grow during their time on campus."
Meet the 2026 Sturgis Fellows
Owen Duke
Graduating from Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, Duke is a National Merit Scholar and AP Scholar with Distinction. A well-rounded leader in academics and athletics, Duke was a four-year varsity football letterman and a member of the 6A Football State Championship team. His extensive student leadership roles include serving as senior class vice president, Honor Council leader, two-year Student Council treasurer and Math Club president. Duke will attend the U of A on a pre-med track majoring in biology. He is the son of Missy and Bryan Duke and brother to Trevor Duke.
Phoebe Hopper
A graduate of Magazine High School, Hopper served as class president, Student Council representative for the Class of 2026 and graduated as class salutatorian. An elite multi-sport athlete and scholar, Hopper is a state champion in cross-country, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field, as well as a Beta Club National Champion in psychology. At the U of A, Hopper plans to major in psychology with long-term plans to earn a doctorate in psychology, practice as a clinical psychologist and teach as a university professor. She is the daughter of Amy and Crockett Hopper.
Mattie Jimmerson
Jimmerson graduated from Cabot High School, where she compiled over 350 hours of community service and demonstrated a deep commitment to environmental advocacy by initiating a school-wide soft recycling program that diverted over 1,000 pounds of plastic from landfills. A National Merit Commended Scholar, U.S. Senate Youth Program semifinalist and Arkansas Girls State delegate, Jimmerson served as Student Council president and Ecology Club president. She is an elite oratorical competitor, placing fourth in the nation in Big Questions Debate (National Speech & Debate Association), competing as a two-time national debate qualifier, winning the Arkansas American Legion Oratorical Contest state championship and placing tied for fourth in the national contest. Jimmerson will double major in political science and earth sciences with plans to become an environmental lawyer. She is the daughter of Stephanie and Joseph Jimmerson and sister to Cohen Jimmerson.
Sarah Karp
Karp graduated from the Don Tyson School of Innovation in Springdale. An accomplished visual artist and playwright, Karp was selected for the 2025 Arkansas Governor's School in Visual Arts and was named a finalist in the 2025 Young Playwrights Showcase at the Arkansas New Play Festival. She also served as vice president of Arkansas Thespian Troupe #8795. Karp will major in art education at Fulbright College with the ultimate goal of becoming an art educator. She expresses her heartfelt gratitude to her parents, Leah and Steven Karp, and three sisters for their endless love and support.
Myca Kweekul
Kweekul graduated from Bryant High School as an AP Scholar with Distinction, an Arkansas Governor's Distinguished Scholar and a recipient of the Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy in English and Spanish. Kweekul demonstrated national academic excellence as a National Chemistry Olympiad Finalist. He is also an accomplished vocalist, performing as a soloist in Bryant's chamber and select men's ensemble choir and placing 16th chair in the Arkansas All-State (ArkCDA) Mixed Choir. Kweekul will double major in physics and mathematics with plans to pursue a Ph.D. in astrophysics, enter academia and research exoplanets and the large-scale structure of the universe. He is the son of Blythe and Daniel Kweekul.
Aaron Oesterle
Oesterle graduated from Har-Ber High School in Springdale as an AP Scholar with Distinction and an Academic All-American. Oesterle served as Debate Team tournament director, a two-time national qualifier in Congressional Debate (Senate) and front ensemble student leader for the Har-Ber Wind Ensemble. In national mock trial competition, he helped lead Har-Ber High School to a ninth-place team finish nationwide in 2025, individually earning recognition as one of the Top 10 witnesses in the nation. He also attended Arkansas Boys State and managed the quiz bowl team for two years. Oesterle plans to major in political science and later pursue a Ph.D. in education policy to write and develop transformative educational curricula. He is the son of Jennifer Oesterle and brother to Eli, Noah and Molley.
Sangamitra (Sangu) Reshmy
Reshmy graduated from Bentonville West High School with a distinguished record of scientific innovation, research and cultural arts. She was named a Conrad Challenge Finalist for designing a brain-only MRI device for astronauts to monitor real-time neuro-structural changes in zero gravity and won the DECA Innovation Plan State Championship for conceptualizing a therapeutic ultrasound to mitigate spaceflight health risks. Reshmy completed asteroid orbital research through the Summer Science Program (SSP), served as literary specialist on the Bentonville Public Library Teen Advisory Board and participated in the Arkansas Folk & Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program. She is also an accomplished dancer pursuing a diploma in Bharatanatyam, having completed her first three examination levels with First Class with Distinction. Reshmy will double major in biochemistry and statistics with plans to earn an M.D./Ph.D. in neuroscience to become a physician-scientist. She is the daughter of Syam Nair and Reshmy Sitadevi.
Celeste Turner
Turner graduated from Siloam Springs High School with high honors and distinction as an AP Scholar with Distinction, NWACC Rising Scholar and American Legion Citizen of the Year. Selected for the prestigious Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX), Turner spent the 2023-2024 academic year studying in Germany, immersing herself in German society, self-teaching the language and subsequently earning the Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy in German. As National Honor Society president, she launched a peer tutoring program, while also earning her Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) and Phlebotomy certifications to volunteer healthcare services at local clinics and support children with special needs through Ability Tree Arkansas. Turner is majoring in biology on the pre-med track to become a physician specializing in developmental pediatrics. She is the daughter of Joshua Turner and Leah Bailey.
About Fulbright College: The Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences is the academic heart and soul of the University of Arkansas — where discovery, creativity, and curiosity meet to create a transformational education. Encompassing three schools, 16 departments, and numerous programs and research centers, Fulbright College connects the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences to advance knowledge, discovery, and serve Arkansas and the world. Discover more at fulbright.uark.edu
Contacts
Jill Geisler Wheeler, director of honors and experiential learning
Undergraduate Excellence and Global Engagement
(479) 575-2509, jwheeler@uark.edu
Mandy McClendon, sr. director of communications and marketing
Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences
479-575-2065, amcclend@uark.edu