The University of Arkansas at Little Rock welcomed seven new members to the William G. Cooper Jr. Honors Program in English.

The Cooper Honors Program is a unique honors program that provides qualified students with funding and intense research and creative opportunities. The program is sustained by an endowment created by the family of Dr. W. G. Cooper Jr. in honor of his distinguished service on the Little Rock University Board of Trustees and UA Little Rock Board of Visitors.

The new Cooper Honors Program students include Marissa Gaston, Kaitlin Jackson, Jewel Leonard, Sydney Ray, Sheilah Sterling, Franchesca Story, and Tracy Walker. They join continuing honor students Katarina Davis, Wynne James, Remington Miller, and Kayla Smith.

All Coopers Honors Program students receive a $2,600 annual stipend to help pay for their college expenses so they can focus on their studies.

“The Cooper Honors Program offers signature instruction and experiences for English majors,” said Dr. Kris McAbee, associate professor of English and director of the Cooper Honors Program. “Students seeking honors in English are supported not only with scholarship funds but also with mentorships tailored to their unique interests and gifts. The honors program also supports activities at the foundation of the English department’s mission, including a speaker series, research opportunities, community outreach events, and a number of scholarships targeted at new and promising students.”

In addition to the stipends, UA Little Rock English majors are eligible for additional awards through the Cooper endowment. These include the Cooper Promise Award, a scholarship for incoming English students at UA Little Rock; the Cooper Success Award, a scholarship for strong UA Little Rock English majors; and assistantships to conduct research with a faculty member.

Cooper Honors Program students also complete a six-hour block of courses that include an honors seminar, honors tutorial, and honors writing project. All Cooper Honors Program students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.25 and a 3.5 GPA in English courses.