Donaghey Scholars are well-recognized by university, state, and national awards for excellence. Scholars have won Truman, Goldwater, National Science Foundation, Rotary, and Fulbright scholarships. The first female Rhodes Scholar in the Arkansas competition’s history was a Donaghey Scholar (1996). Arkansas’ first Mitchell Scholar was also a Donaghey Scholar (2002), and, in recent years, nearly half of the state’s finalists for the Truman Scholarship have been Scholars. UA Little Rock’s Whitbeck Award for outstanding graduating senior has gone to a Donaghey Scholar for 29 consecutive years.
In addition to these prestigious honors, Scholars have exceptional records of graduation from the Program; nearly 80 percent of students complete the Program, and many of the remainder graduate from UA Little Rock.
More than two-thirds of Donaghey Scholars go on to such prestigious graduate schools as Harvard, Yale, Rice, Vanderbilt, Stanford, the London School of Economics, Notre Dame, and others. For those interested in a career in medicine, Scholars can also boast of a greater than 90 percent acceptance rate into medical school.
Finally, it is not only the students who are distinguished. Donaghey Scholars faculty are among the finest at the university. Program faculty from diverse disciplines have won university-wide Excellence Awards in teaching, research, and public service.
Student Profile
There is no single profile of a Donaghey Scholar. The Program values diversity among the students. Students may enter the Program as first-year college students. The admissions process and standards are holistic, reflecting this interest in diversity.
There are, however, characteristics that most Scholars share. Scholars are engaged and interested in the learning experience. Students are exposed to a variety of disciplines, approaches, and ideas in the Program. Scholars are analytical thinkers and have broad interests.
Academically, Scholars vary widely. Students can choose from more than 100 majors at UA Little Rock. The students in the Program benefit from the diverse interests of the student body.
“Being a Donaghey Scholar is being a writer, scientist, philosopher, dancer, mathematician, world traveler, community volunteer, researcher, friend, artist, and leader.” – Frances Ockles, 2001 Donaghey Scholars Honors Program graduate
