Awards and Scholarships
The Department of Philosophy and Liberal Studies offers three scholastic achievement awards, an endowment scholarship and the Alpha Epsilon Lambda Honor Society membership for qualified graduate students.
Each scholastic achievement award is given annually at the end of the Spring term. The recipients are selected by a majority vote of the Philosophy and Liberal Studies faculty. Preference will be given to those students who have completed at least nine hours of course work in the Department, as well as to those who are pursuing a major or minor in Philosophy or a minor in Religious Studies, but it is not limited to these students.
The Socratic Award
For the Most Outstanding Student in Philosophy
This award recognizes the most outstanding student in either Philosophy or Religious Studies. The purpose of the award is to encourage students to strive for excellence in their course work.
This award carries with it a $500 check.
Richard Frothingham Achievement Award
For excellence in Philosophy and Religious Studies
This award was established to recognize the student who has demonstrated outstanding work in either Philosophy or Religious Studies. The purpose of the award is to encourage students to strive for excellence in, and to contribute to, the fields of philosophy and religious studies.
This award carries with it a $200 check.
F. Brent Knutson Memorial Award
For excellence in Religious Studies
This award recognizes the most outstanding student in Religious Studies. The purpose of the award is to encourage students to pursue academics diligently in the footsteps of F. Brent Knutson, faculty member from 1971-2002, department chair from 1979-1989, and scholar of Ancient Near Eastern studies, Hebrew, and biblical literature.
This award carries with it a $100 check.
Outstanding Liberal Arts Student Award
For excellence in Interdisciplinary Studies
This award recognizes the most outstanding student in Liberal Arts. The purpose of the award is to encourage and recognize students who excell in interdisciplinary studies. The award is open to any Liberal Arts major. Grade point average and participation in the capstone course are considered.
This award carries with it a $50 check.
Lee Asbill Johnson Endowed Scholarship
This scholarship provides assistance for any education-related expenses, including but not limited to tuition, books, fees, and room and board for full or part-time majors in the Department of Philosophy and Liberal Studies. Preference will be given to junior- and senior-level students. Selection will be based on academic accomplishment, though financial need will be strongly considered. The scholarship will be awarded at the end of each spring term for use in the next academic year.
This scholarship provides $1,250 per year and can be renewed.
Alpha Epsilon Lambda Honor Society for Graduate Students
For excellence in Graduate and Professional School
The UALR Zeta Chapter of Alpha Epsilon Lambda, the Honor Society for Graduate and Professional Students, accepts applications for membership Fall and Spring semesters. The criteria for membership are:
- Completion of at least 18 credit hours as a degree-seeking student.
- A grade point average placing the student in the top 35% of the graduate students enrolled in the same program.
- A record of leadership and service to graduate students or graduate students organizations.
- Submission of a typed application following the format of AEL Membership Application Guide.