Baylor University
Baylor University has selected nearly 2,800 recent high school graduates as recipients of scholastic awards for the 2019-20 academic year. All of these scholarships are awarded on the basis of class rank and test scores.
Baylor's top award -- the Regents' Gold Scholarship -- provides National Merit finalists, who have indicated Baylor as their university of choice, with a full-tuition academic scholarship to Baylor for up to eight semesters of undergraduate study beginning in fall 2019. This award is augmented by the students' test scores.
Baylor also awarded students with one of four other merit scholarships based on a combination of class rank and test scores:
Reilly Hokanson of Rogers, Bentonville High School, Provost's Gold, Provost's Gold Scholarship, which provides $68,000 to $76,000 for eight semesters.
Madison Phillips of Van Buren, Van Buren High school, President's Gold, President's Gold Scholarship, which provides $80,000 to $88,000 for eight semesters.
Knights of Columbus
Brynn Hilger, a May honor graduate of Gravette High School, received a $500 scholarship from the Knights of Columbus at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Bella Vista. Hilger also received $500 awards from the Women's Club and the Men's Club at the May 19 award ceremony. She is the daughter of Robyn and Jeremiah Hilger.
Cooper Elliott who graduated from Pea Ridge High School with honors was also presented a $500 scholarship. Elliott received this award from the Knights of Columbus in addition to a $500 award from the Women's Club at the same ceremony. He is the son of Sara and Neal Elliott.
University of Arkansas
Jenn Mattone, a nurse in Critical Care at Washington Regional, recently earned a doctorate in nursing practice specializing as an adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner from the University of Arkansas Eleanor Mann School of Nursing. Since graduation, Mattone has joined the Washington Regional hospitalist team where she will evaluate and treat hospitalized patients.
Mattone, who has been with Washington Regional since 2013, earned a bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Arkansas. She is a member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, American Nurses Association and Sigma Theta Tau International.
Maryville University
Maryville University has named Brittney Oakley of Fayetteville to the honors list for the spring 2019 semester, with a minimum grade point average of 3.5 and no single grade below a B-.
Washington University in St. Louis
Anthony Williams of Bentonville and Jessica Wang of Fayetteville have been named to the dean's list for the spring 2019 semester at Washington University in St. Louis.
Williams is enrolled in the university's College of Arts & Sciences. Wang is enrolled in the university's Olin Business School.
To qualify for the dean's list in the Olin Business School, students must earn a semester grade point average of 3.6 or above and complete at least 14 graded units.
Oglethorpe University
Rodrigo Meade of Fort Smith has been named to Oglethorpe University's spring 2019 dean's list, honoring those scholars who achieved at least a 3.50 term grade-point average while earning 12 or more semester hours.
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock announces its spring 2019 graduates. UA Little Rock honored the spring 2019 graduates during a May 11 ceremony at the Jack Stephens Center.
Local graduates include:
Shazeena Ashraf of Fort Smith, bachelor of science in mathematics
Kevin Barton of Bentonville, master of business administration in business administration
Paige Clayborn of Fayetteville, master of science in criminal justice
Zach Coats of Rogers, master of business administration in business administration
Hayden Depriest of Fort Smith, bachelor of science in biology
James Dorney of Hartman, master of science in criminal justice
Ashley Hidalgo of Springdale, bachelor of business administration in international business
Joyce Hunnicutt of Springdale, bachelor of business administration in management
Veronica Jones of Huntsville, bachelor of applied science in bachelor applied science
Audrey Kelley of Rogers, bachelor of business administration in management
Talia Lambert of Springdale, bachelor of business administration in management
Delilah Lawson of Fort Smith, master of social work in social work
Rachel Lee of Waldron, master of arts in counseling
Jessica Ley of Rogers, bachelor of arts in theater arts
Victoria McCartney of Rogers, bachelor of applied science in bachelor applied science
Taylor Meadows of Fayetteville, graduate certificate in special education k-12
Willow Moyer of Rogers, bachelor of arts in web design and development
Adam Ness of Farmington, bachelor of science in systems engineering
Jamie Norris of Ozark, associate of applied science in nursing
Kaye Pafford of Rogers, bachelor of fine arts in dance performance
Kham Phrakousonh of Van Buren, bachelor of science in electronics and computer engineering technology
Travis Plummer of Waldron, juris doctor in law
Taneya Prunty of Fayetteville, bachelor of arts in applied communication studies
Michael Ragsdale of Gentry, associate of arts in general studies
Kelsey Ratcliff of Fayetteville, bachelor of applied science in bachelor applied science
Joseph Richardson of Bella Vista, master of public service in public service
Andrea Ross of Fayetteville, master of social work in social work
Kira Shepard of Fort Smith, bachelor of arts in criminal justice
Terrika Smith of Bethel Heights, master of arts in counseling
Robert Tran of Fort Smith, associate of engineering technology in electronics and computer engineering technology
Eric Turner of Fayetteville, master of business administration in business administration
Chani Wolf of Springdale, bachelor of science in nursing
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock honors students who have made the dean's list for the spring 2019 semester
Local students include: Evan Alden of Springdale, Shazeena Ashraf of Fort Smith, Amber Atkinson of Delaware, Samuel Baker of Holiday Island, Dalissa Barentine of Van Buren, Ronald Boyd of Fort Smith, Lindsey Carl of Fayetteville, Pablo Centeno of Fort Smith, Tyler Davis of Fayetteville, David Dawkins of Bella Vista, Benjamin Donahue of Fort Smith, Nicholas Engel of Green Forest, Rebecca Farhat of Barling, Selena Gordon of Fort Smith, Betsy Harvel of Booneville, Dalton Harwell of Pea Ridge, Jessica Higgs of Prairie Grove, Robert Hill of Bella Vista, Sabah Ismail of Fort Smith, Hannah Krehbiel of Fort Smith, Talia Lambert of Springdale, Christopher Lewis of Fort Smith, Jessica Ley of Rogers, Katie Matthews of Bentonville, Victoria McCartney of Rogers, Cindy Monterroza of Van Buren, Willow Moyer of Rogers, Adam Ness of Farmington, Mayra Orozco of Fort Smith, Kaye Pafford of Rogers, Jacob Phelan of Farmington, Taneya Prunty of Fayetteville, Kelsey Ratcliff of Fayetteville, Marsharie Reed of Springdale, Kayle Roberts of Huntsville, Roberta Roberts of Huntsville, Madison Sander of Fayetteville, Kristi Stovall of Huntington, Namtip Thepouthay Savathvongxay of Fort Smith, Nalee Vang of New Blaine, Carrie Wiles of Springdale, Jasmine Wilhelm of Ratcliff
To be on the dean's list, UA Little Rock students must earn at least nine credit hours and maintain at least a 3.5 grade point average. The student must not have any D, F, I, or "No Credit" grades on their semester grade report.
St. Olaf College
Ruby Erickson of Fayetteville has been named to the St. Olaf College dean's list for the spring 2019 semester, with a semester grade point average of 3.75 or higher on a 4-point scale.
Millikin University
Lucia Rossi of Fayetteville has been named to the dean's list for the spring 2019 semester at Millikin University in Decatur, Ill.
Students who attempt 12 graded credits during a fall or spring semester and earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher earn dean's list honors.
Samford University
Robert Lee of Fayetteville, Harper Whaley of Cave Springs, Madeleine Patten of Rogers, Hannah Lueders of Rogers, Alexandra Lewandowski of Springdale and Christopher Walker of Springdale were named to the dean's list at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala., for the spring 2019 semester.
To qualify for the dean's list, a student must have earned a minimum 3.5 grade point average out of a possible 4.0 while attempting at least 12 credit hours of coursework. Dean's list is the highest academic recognition given by the school at the end of each semester.
Ouachita Baptist University
These local students from Ouachita Baptist University will be included in the latest edition of Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.
The students were chosen by OBU's faculty, staff and the 2019 senior class based on their academic performance, leadership in extracurricular activities, community service and potential for success.
David Lundstrum, 22, is a finance and business administration/management double major from Springdale, Ark. A graduate of Shiloh Christian School, Lundstrum was named to Ouachita's Dean's List and is a Ouachita Scholars recipient. He is a member of Kappa Chi men's social club where he served as president, treasurer, athletic director and pledge class president. He also was a member of the Enactus presentation team and Ouachita Student Foundation where he served as fundraising and finance chair. Lundstrum served as a Noonday leader for Campus Ministries and as treasurer for Ouachita's Student Senate, and he volunteered with Ouachita's Tiger Serve Day. He also has worked as a management intern for Sam's Club and as a stock research analyst. Lundstrum plans to work as an operation manager trainee for J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., beginning this summer.
Kord Offenbacker, 22, is a Christian studies/Christian ministries and business administration/entrepreneurship double major from Springdale, Ark. A graduate of Shiloh Christian School, Offenbacker is a member of the Ouachita Baseball Team and a beau for EEE women's social club. Offenbacker has served as a Welcome to Ouachita's World leader and as a Refuge speaker for Campus Ministries his senior year. He has volunteered with Ouachita's Tiger Serve Day, with Group Living in Arkadelphia, as a Pruet School of Christian Studies panel speaker and as a tutor at Peake Elementary School in Arkadelphia. He also has interned as a high school pastor for Second Baptist Church of Arkadelphia. Offenbacker plans to attend seminary and pursue pastoral ministry.
Emma Shortes, 22, is an accounting and finance double major from Fort Smith, Ark. A graduate of Greenwood High School, Shortes has been named to Ouachita's President's List. She is a member of EEE women's social club where she served as rush chair, treasurer and spirit leader, as well as a member of the Ary Student Investment Fund team, which earned first place honors at the national Global Asset Management Education (G.A.M.E.) Forum undergraduate competition. She also is a member of Alpha Chi national college honor society and Women in Business. Shortes also placed in the top six teams at the annual Arkansas Governor's Cup Business Plan Competition. She has served as a Welcome to Ouachita's World leader, as the BRIDGES project leader for Enactus and on the Hickingbotham Student Advisory Board. Shortes attended home group at First Baptist Church and Bible study at Second Baptist Church in Arkadelphia. She has worked as a tax intern at Turner, Rodgers, Manning & Plyer, PLLC, and as an assistant coach at Gymnastics Plus. She plans to work as a staff accountant at Hudson, Cisne & Co.
Belmont University
More than 700 Belmont students started their summer off by participating in one of 45 faculty-led Maymester and Summer Study Abroad programs. These short-term programs, lasting anywhere from a week to a month, are led and designed by Belmont faculty to explore one or two certain areas of study, while giving students the opportunity to travel to and discover a new place.
Heather Spradlin of Bentonville studied in Belmont's England, France and Italy program. Madison Weston of Bentonville studied in Belmont's Spain program.
Belmont University Director of Study Abroad Thandi Dinani said Belmont's culturally enriching study abroad programs enhance a student's academic experience. "Classrooms come to life as faculty take students to visit places where history took place," she said. "Whether visiting Nelson Mandela's prison cell in South Africa, walking streets where Jesus walked in Israel or studying chemistry while taking a cooking class in Italy, students see how countries, concepts and cultures have shaped history and impact their world."
National Youth Leadership Forum
Savannah Slinkard, an upcoming senior at Farmington High School, joined outstanding high school students from across the nation in the National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF): Business Innovation, July 22-26 on the campus of Yale University in New Haven, Conn. The business forum allowed Slinkard and other high school students to kick start their careers as entrepreneurs and innovators at one of the country's premier startup programs.
Slinkard competed against other business-minded high school students in Envision's Entrepreneurial Challenge, a "shark tank" experience. The startup-style Entrepreneurial Challenge took participants along the journey from product idea to launch, tackling challenges and critical decisions.
Slinkard, 16, recently helped launch PigPin, a monthly subscription service for lapel pins. She has played tennis at Farmington High School and is very involved in DECA, an organization focused on preparing future business leaders. She competed in her first Arkansas State DECA Conference earlier this year in Little Rock, placing second in the "independent business plan" category qualifying her for DECAS's International Career Development Conference in Orlando, Fla., in April. She is the daughter of Cliff and Niki Slinkard.
University of Utah
Keegan Stanton of Bentonville graduated from the University of Utah on May 2.
Stanton was among the 8,465 graduates who were honored during the university's 150th general commencement ceremony.
University of Minnesota
Shubhanakar Dharmadhikari of Bentonville, a senior in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, was named to the 2019 spring semester dean's list, with 12 or more letter-graded credits while attaining a 3.66 grade point average.
Lawrence University
Katie Weers of Eureka Springs earned a bachelor of music degree in violin music performance from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wis., in a recent commencement ceremony on the Main Hall green.
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Blakely Carlton Mayhall of Lowell received a bachelor of science degree in aerospace engineering, summa cum laude, during commencement ceremonies held May 17-18 at Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla.
The highest honor, summa cum laude, is awarded to students who have earned a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.8 or above on a 4.0 scale for all courses counting toward the degree.
Fort Hays State University
Three area students graduated from Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kan., in the spring 2019 semester.
Molly Elizabeth Berry of Springdale graduated with a master of science in instructional technology.
Rachel Lea McKee of Rogers graduated with a bachelor of business administration in marketing.
Scott Marquis Pendergraft of Harrison graduated with a bachelor of arts in political science.
University of Central Arkansas
The University of Central Arkansas has selected 75 incoming first-year students as Honors Scholars and 30 incoming first-year students as University Scholars for the fall semester.
The students entering the UCA Norbert O. Schedler Honors College in Conway have an average high school grade-point average above 4.0 and an average ACT college-entrance exam score of 29.
The incoming Honors College class includes 68 students from Arkansas and seven students from out of state. Some of them -- about a quarter of the group -- are the first in their families to go to college.
The University Scholars class includes 26 students from 23 Arkansas cities and four students from out of state.
University Scholars, which is in its second year, is an honors program that operates alongside the 37-year-old Norbert O. Schedler Honors College.
UCA received nearly 900 applicants for the two scholars programs. Candidates were considered based on academic performance, service and leadership potential.
The names and hometowns of each student, followed by their high school name, are as follows:
Honors scholars
Caden Darby, Bentonville, Life Way Christian School
Brianna Frawley, Fort Smith, Southside High School
Thomas Gray, Springdale, Springdale High School
Ashley Hansen, Bella Vista, Pea Ridge High School
Zachary Humphrey, Alpena, Alpena High School
Vivian Norris, Fayetteville, Fayetteville High School
Kathryn Pearson, Fort Smith, Northside High School
Mikelle Porter, Van Buren, Van Buren High School
Kayla Roat, Bentonville, Bentonville High School
Jennifer Self, Bentonville, Arkansas Arts Academy High School
Allison Shook, Rogers, Rogers Heritage High School
Lauren Sights, Greenwood, Greenwood High School
Cameron Triplett, Fort Smith, Northside High School
Terry Uhm, Fort Smith, Southside High School
Delaney Van Wilpe, Rogers, Rogers Heritage High School
Noah Walker, Hackett, Greenwood High School
McKennah West, Ratcliff, Ozark High School
Makenzie White, Fayetteville, Har-Ber High School
Sarah Withers, Berryville, Berryville High School
University scholars
Harrison David, Rogers, Rogers Heritage High School
Sian Fox, Bentonville, Bentonville West High School
Haylee Hawbaker, Siloam Springs, Siloam Springs High School
Autumn Kennedy, Springdale, Shiloh Christian School
Delwin Portillo, Berryville, Berryville High School
Stella Radke, Ozark, Ozark High School
James Youngs, Rogers, Rogers Heritage High School
University of Northern Colorado
Anna Black and Sarah Finley of Fort Smith have been named to the 2018-19 dean's list of distinction at the University of Northern Colorado.
Students who earned this distinction earned a combined GPA of a 3.75 or higher during at least two academic semesters and completed a minimum of 24 semester hours.
Missouri University
Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Mo., announces Hayden Dixon of Bentonville, Samuel Sisk of Fayetteville, Blakely Mayhall of Lowell, Thomas Lammey of Rogers and Josh Gambill of Springdale made the honor list for the spring 2019 semester.
To be included on the honor list, students must have carried a minimum of 12 hours and had grade point averages of 3.2 or above out of a possible 4.0.
Southern Arkansas University
Students earned undergraduate and graduate degrees at Southern Arkansas University's 2019 Summer Commencement ceremony held Aug. 2.
Students from this area include:
Houston Kane Koenigseder of Bentonville. Koenigseder graduated with a bachelor of business administration degree in sales marketingfrom the David F. Rankin College of Business.
Lundon Annette Lensing of Fort Smith. Lensing graduated with a master of arts in teaching degree in teacher education from the College of Education.
Aaron Joseph Madey of Rogers. Madey graduated with a master of arts in teaching degree in teacher education from the College of Education.
Kaley Alayna Moore of Fort Smith. Moore graduated with a master of arts in teaching degree in teacher education from the College of Education.
Elizabeth Michelle Price of Harrison. Price graduated with a master of arts in teaching degree in teacher education from the College of Education.
Slade Duncan Farris of Lowell. Farris graduated with a master of business administration degree in supply chain management from the David F. Rankin College of Business.
Chester Patrick Taylor of Everton. Taylor graduated with a master of education degree in educational administration and supervision from the College of Education.
Morgan Marie Kratts of Greenwood. Kratts graduated with a master of education degree in higher, adult and lifelong education from the College of Education.
Susan June Bentel of Bentonville. Bentel graduated with a master of education degree in library media from the College of Education.
Jessica Leigh Bull of Greenwood. Bull graduated with a master of education degree in library media from the College of Education.
Brenda Yancey Chamness of Greenwood. Chamness graduated with a master of education degree in library media from the College of Education.
Amy Michelle Cox of Rogers. Cox graduated with a master of education degree in library media from the College of Education.
Deena Lynette Hedstrom of Bentonville. Hedstrom graduated with a master of education degree in library media from the College of Education.
Jennifer Joan Hoskins of Hindsville. Hoskins graduated with a master of education degree in library media from the College of Education.
Bracy Elaine Jennings of Cave Springs. Jennings graduated with a master of education degree in library media from the College of Education.
Harmony Nicole Linton of Rogers. Linton graduated with a master of education degree in library media from the College of Education.
Jordan Raine Shannon of Springdale. Shannon graduated with a master of education degree in library media from the College of Education.
Sarah Elizabeth Whittle of Springdale. Whittle graduated with a master of education degree in library media from the College of Education.
Kaitlyn Shelby Gardner of Fort Smith. Gardner graduated with a master of science degree in clinical and mental health counseling from the College of Education.
Ashley Marie Riggles of Prairie Grove. Riggles graduated with a master of science degree in kinesiology from the College of Education.
Brittany Nicole Feimster of Booneville. Feimster graduated with an associate of arts degree in university studies from the College of Education.
Arkansas Tech University
McKenzie Blanchard of Siloam Springs, Hannah Halmes of Ozark and Kurt Lentine of Springdale were among 14 incoming Arkansas Tech University students selected to participate in the 2019 Freshman Leadership Experience Aug. 14-17 prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
The program provides participants with an opportunity to engage with other ATU freshmen, current campus leaders, university staff and other leadership experts.
Anticipated outcomes for FLE participants include making connections prior to the first day of class and establishing a leadership and involvement plan for their first year at ATU.
Belmont University
Madison Weston and Heather Spradlin of Bentonville achieved the dean's list at Belmont University for the summer 2019 session. Eligibility for the summer session is based on a minimum 9-hour load over 10 weeks and a quality grade point average of 3.5 with no grade below a C.
Columbia College
Derek Sallee of Rogers was named to Columbia College Day Campus, Columbia, Mo., dean's list for the summer semester.
To be named to the dean's list, a student must have completed 12 semester hours in a 16-week period and achieved a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0-point scale.
Oklahoma State University
Oklahoma State University's Center for Veterinary Health Sciences officially welcomed the class of 2023 at an Induction Ceremony held on the OSU Stillwater campus on Aug. 16. Among the 106 students was Kara Tubb of Fayetteville. Tubb has a bachelor's degree in biology from Maryville College, and is the daughter of Michael and Luzanna Tubb of Fayetteville.
University of Central Arkansas
University of Central Arkansas student Marco Ramirez has been awarded a scholarship from The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations to attend its 2019 Summit on Diversity and Inclusion to be held in Chicago on Nov. 8.
A senior from Bentonville who is double majoring in public relations and communication, Ramirez is one of eight diverse public relations students chosen from universities across the country, and he is the only student chosen from Arkansas.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I am super excited to represent my university and the state of Arkansas in Chicago for the Plank Center events," said Ramirez. "The UCA School of Communication helped prepare me for this opportunity by not only providing mentoring and guidance but also by supporting my passion for diversity and inclusion. The faculty from the School of Communication taught me how to articulate who I am and understand my self-worth."
Each Plank Center scholarship, valued at approximately $1,800, covers the costs of travel, accommodation and tickets to the Summit on Diversity and Inclusion, along with two other events sponsored by The Plank Center, the "Milestones in Mentoring" Gala and the Student Mentoring Session.
During the summit, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the profession and learn about the barriers to and best practices for growing, mentoring and retaining diverse populations within the field.
The "Milestones in Mentoring" Gala honors leaders throughout the profession who, by word and deed, have demonstrated a superior commitment to mentoring others, and who are committed to accelerating the success of others in the field.
Co-sponsored with DePaul University's PRSSA Chapter, the Student Mentoring Session provides an open-dialogue setting for the Milestones in Mentoring honorees to share their personal experiences and provide over 50 students with advice on the public relations industry.
NAN Our Town on 09/05/2019