Donaghey Scholars Program

Honors ProgramInformation and Application

2010 Whitbeck Award Winner Ashley Fejleh

DONAGHEY SCHOLARS

Donaghey Scholars ProgramThe Donaghey Scholars Program is the university-wide honors program for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The Program is based on a comprehensive interdisciplinary core curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking and active learning. In addition to specialized honors courses, Scholars receive the university’s most generous fi nancial package.

Scholars complete core courses together, forming a unique, cohesive and supportive community— a college within a college. Scholars enjoy small classes, personal interaction with faculty, and a comprehensive curriculum that encourages critical thinking.

Financial Package The total fi nancial package for a Donaghey Scholar can range from $60,000-$80,000 including the following:

• Full tuition and fees for up to 18 hours per semester for up to eight semesters

• Stipend between $6,000 and $10,000 per year based upon credentials

• Housing subsidy of $1,400 per year for students living on-campus

• Study abroad • Laptop computer• Non-resident fees may be covered if funds permit

Donaghey Scholars FacultyThe Donaghey Scholars faculty includes many of UALR’s outstanding teachers. They represent a broad range of experience and demonstrate expertise in their major areas of study. All the Program faculty are strongly committed to teaching and the challenges of interdisciplinary study. In most cases, faculty teams teach the core courses, promoting active debate between disciplines and full exposure to those disciplines.

Student Profi leA Donaghey Scholar does not fi t any single profi le. The Program values diversity. Students may enter the program as fi rst-year college students, transfer students, or existing UALR students. Non-traditional, minority, and international students are encouraged

to apply. If your interests are broad and your abilities are strong, you just may be a Donaghey Scholar.

Distinguished Donaghey Scholars have a reputation for excellence. Graduates of the Program have gone on to graduate and professional schools such as UALR, Harvard, Yale,

Rice, and Stanford. Scholars have won prestigious national scholarships, winning the Truman, Goldwater, National Science Foundation, Rotary, Fulbright, Mellon, Mitchell, and Rhodes scholarships. UALR’s top honor, the Whitbeck Award, has been won by a graduating Donaghey Scholar for eighteen consecutive years.

After completing the Program, a Scholar is armed with extensive analytical skills for reading, writing, and discussion— skills that ensure success in almost any fi eld. Whether students plan to pursue professional work or move on towards graduate study, a Donaghey Scholars Program education, combined with their major fi eld of study, is excellent preparation for the future.

Program Requirements

• Completion of Donaghey Scholars interdisciplinary core curriculum

• Fulfi llment of the university requirements in mathematics and American history or American national government

• Completion of a laboratory science course• Maintain a 3.25 cumulative GPA in no less than 24

hours per academic year• Seminar or special topics course outside of the

Scholar’s primary fi eld of study• Community service and shadowing projects • Study of foreign language at least until an oral

profi ciency exam is passed• Study abroad • Final project completed under the direction of a

faculty committee• Exit interview

The � rst female in the history of the Arkansas Rhodes Scholarship competition was a Donaghey Scholar.

Donaghey Scholars receive a generous � nancial package that includes tuition, fees, a stipend, and study abroad.

COMMUNITY

ENRICHMENT

Distinctive CurriculumThe Donaghey Schol-ars Program has a core curriculum that fun-damentally replaces

UALR’s general education core. Class enrollment is normally limited to Donaghey Scholars, ensuring small class sizes and faculty engagement.

These interdisciplinary core courses are intimate, seminar-style classes that emphasize the close reading of primary texts, vigorous discussion, extensive writing, and independent study. Interdisciplinary in nature, the curriculum for the Donaghey Scholars Program is at the forefront of honors education nationally.

Core CoursesScholars Colloquium I and IIAn orientation to the program and to UALR, this course features discussion of themes arising in other courses, projects to increase students’ understanding of themselves and the educational process, and presentations by campus offi cials and guest lecturers. Service and shadowing are among the requirements.

Rhetoric and Communication I and IIThis course seeks to improve the student’s ability to examine ideas and facts critically and communicate eff ectively both orally and in writing.

Science and Society I and IIThe focus of this course is the impact of scientific thought and technology on human culture, examining science as a mode of thought and a method of inquiry.

History of Ideas I, II, and IIIThis three-semester course examines the development of civilization and the progress of human ideas from the earliest times to the present. The general approach is critical and historical with particular attention to literature, philosophy, and religion. The course emphasizes close reading of classic texts, shifting focus each semester from early Western thought, to later Western thought, then to Non-Western thought.

The Individual and Society I and IIThis course emphasizes cultural comparisons through an overview of the relationship between individuals and their societies.

The Individual and the Creative Arts I and IIThrough art, architecture, music, dance, theatre, and literature, students will examine how the arts enrich

human life. Students are required to attend and discuss a number of concerts, plays, and exhibitions.

Foreign Language and Study AbroadScholars are required to study a

foreign language until they are able to pass an oral profi ciency exam. Students must pass the exam no later than the year before graduation. The oral profi ciency exam, administered by UALR foreign language faculty, is developed by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. Further study of foreign language after passing the exam is encouraged.

The Program has a strong international component, enhanced by immersion in other cultures. In order to fully engage with the culture and language, Scholars utilize foreign language studies in a study abroad program approved by UALR. The Program subsidizes study abroad.

ADVENTURE

ENGAGEMENT

Donaghey Scholars have a greater than 90% acceptance rate into medical school.

Program History and GovernanceThe Program began in the fall of 1984 as the University Scholars Program when the fi rst twenty students were admitted and began their studies with an innovative and experimental curriculum. The goal was to create the ideal honors program, something distinctive. In 1988 the name was changed to the Donaghey Scholars Program in honor of valuable support from the Donaghey Foundation.

Currently, the Program is governed by a Policy Council comprised of the Director, Associate Director, and Program Administrator, as well as faculty, student, and alumni representatives. Representatives from each Scholars class are elected to serve on a Student Committee.

It is through the eff orts of this dedicated group of students, faculty, alumni, and staff that the Program received a glowing review in 2008 from a panel of experts in the fi eld of honors education.

AdmissionEach year approximately 25 students are admitted into the Donaghey Scholars Program. The admissions committee of the Program does not standardize minimum requirements for admission. Instead, the committee selects the strongest students in the applicant pool. High school performance and activities, test scores, recommendations, demonstrated ability in college courses (if applicable), written essays, and personal interviews are all important factors in the selection process.

The strength of incoming students is indicated by their median ACT score of 29 and the median cumulative GPA of 3.7. Students admitted to the program include National Merit Finalists, National Achievement Finalists, National Hispanic Finalists, and winners of the Governor’s Scholarship, the Governor’s Distinguished Award, and the Stephens Scholarship. Although all factors are considered, the student’s academic record, as refl ected in GPA and coursework, carries the most weight.

ApplicationTo apply to the Donaghey Scholars Program, students should complete the form enclosed in this brochure. All items required for application are listed at the beginning of the form. Applicants are encouraged to meet the February 1 priority deadline, but applications will be accepted through March 1. Applications not completed or post-marked by March 1 will not be considered. Well-qualifi ed applicants will be selected for interview.

First-year college students, transfer students, and current UALR students may apply.

A panel of experts in honors education deemed the Donaghey Scholars Program “unique”.

RECOGNITION

Donaghey Scholars Program ApplicationPriority deadline: February 1 • Final Deadline: March 1

To Apply:1. Complete online application for UALR at http://ualr.edu/admissions/2. Mail the following items to the Donaghey Scholars Program. Those items marked with an asterisk (*) should

be mailed to BOTH the Donaghey Scholars Program AND Offi ce of Admissions and Financial Aid at UALR.

• Donaghey Scholars Program application form• Two essays (topics and guidelines indicated below)• Two letters of recommendation• Offi cial test scores for SAT and/or ACT *• Offi cial transcripts for high school and, if applicable, college *

Mail to: Donaghey Scholars Program UALR University of Arkansas at Little Rock Offi ce of Admissions 2801 S. University Avenue 2801 S. University Avenue Little Rock, AR 72204 Little Rock, AR 72204

Name: _______________________________ Social Security#: Last First

Address: ________________________________________ Email: ____________________________________ Street City State Zip

Daytime Phone: ___________________Evening Phone: ________________Mobile:

High School Ranking: ________out of ______Current or most recent GPA: Male Female

Race (optional): American Indian or Alaska Native Asian Black or African American

Native American or Other Pacifi c Islander White

Anticipated Major/Minor: ________________________________Date of Birth: _________________________

ACT and/or SAT score: _______________________________________________________________________

Name of School and/or College Location of School (City, State) Dates Attended__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

List all academic honors, awards, and scholarships and the date received. (Additional pages may be added as needed.)

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

List all significant school and community activities, leadership positions, extracurricular activities, etc. Also include any interesting work experiences. (Additional pages may be added as needed.) _________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Essays

Attach to your application two essays on the topics below. Each essay should be between 800 and 1,000 words. When applicable, essays should include proper documentation of resources, including but not limited to websites, journals, books, and other publications.

1. How do you define a scholar? Why do you believe you are one? What do you think the UALR Donaghey Scholars Program will do for you? How do you envision the contribution you will one day make to society?

2. Choose a contemporary issue. Why do you feel that it is important? Take a position on the issue and defend it.

I certify that all the information and statements provided by me on this application are true and correct to the best of my knowledge. Donors or agencies outside UALR occasionally request information contained on this application. I permit the release of educational and personal information to outside agencies as part of my application for the Donaghey Scholars Program scholarship.

Signature: ____________________________________________________ Date: _______________________

UALR Nondiscrimination Policy: The University of Arkansas at Little Rock complies with and enforces all rules and regulations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 concerning admission treatment of students and employment. As is required by Title IX, the University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the educational programs or activities which it operates. Inquiries concerning the application of Title IX shall be made to the Office of Campus Life, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Donaghey Student Center 216 (569-3308). Other inquiries regarding discrimination based on race, sex, color, age, religion, national origin, veteran’s status, or disabling condition shall be made to the Director of Human Relations (569-8675)

Get to know the 2009-2010 GraduatesThese recent graduates of the program are as diverse as the university itself. Majors range from Biology and English to French and Economics; and the Donaghey Scholars Program enriched the lives and college experience for all of these outstanding graduates.

Cemeka AgugbuemMajor: Biology and SpanishFinal Project: Analysis of Cohort Retention: Spit for the Cure Breast Cancer Cohort

Alexandra AnghelescuMajor: Computer Science Minor: MathFinal Project: Modeling and Simulation of Scheduling Jobs in High Performance Computers

Christina Muniz BoydMajor: Social Work and SpanishFinal Project: Life After Lockup: Improving Reentry for Individuals in Pulaski County

Melissa Ruth CarrionMajor: English and SpanishFinal Project: Locke, Wordsworth, and the Association of Ideas

Deborah CavenerMajor: Early Childhood EducationMinor: SpanishFinal Project: Exploring English Language Learners’ Attitude toward Reading and its Eff ects on Reading Levels

Greg ClarkMajor: EnglishMinor: FrenchFinal Project: “I Stuttered, then Silence” A book of Poetry

Mirena DimovaMajor: General FinanceFinal Project: Assessment of the Business Incubation Activity in Bulgaria

Dustin EmanisMajors: ChemistryMinor: BiologyFinal Project: Novel Synthesis Technique for Calcium Borohydride

Ashley Nicole Fejleh (2010 Whitbeck Award Winner)Major: Environmental Health Sciences Minor: BiologyFinal Project: Carbon Covered Magnetic Nanomaterial: Their Application for Nanothermolysis of Cancer Cells

Jack Stell Latham HampoMajor: FrenchMinor: FilmFinal Project: Nous Sommes le Français

Kim Collins NoesserMajors: Finance and SpanishFinal Project: Un Nuevo Futuro: How to Become Your Own Boss

Rachel NorrisMajor: BiologyMinor: AnthropologyFinal Project: A Fighting Chance: Educating and Enriching the Lives of Ugandan Children with HIV Positive Parents.

Jose Montes de Oca Major: Economics and FinanceMinor: MathFinal Project: Cadavaric Organ Donation Discrepencies Between Required Consent and Presumed Consent in Latin America

RESEARCH

2010 GRADUATESPh

oto co

urtes

y of D

r. Step

hen Y

anov

iak, B

iolog

y Dep

artm

ent, U

ALR

For more information on the Donaghey Scholars Program or to schedule a visit Call: (501) 569-3569 or (501) 569-3389 Email: dsp@ualr.edu Log On: ualr.edu/donagheyscholars