About Us › History
In April of 2002, the University of Arkansas received the largest gift in the history of American public higher education — a $300 million commitment from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation.
The Honors College received $200 million of this incredibly generous gift to fund undergraduate UA Honors College fellowships ($50,000 for four years), to establish special study abroad and undergraduate research opportunities, and to support outstanding faculty in their research and honors teaching efforts.
The University of Arkansas Honors College serves all undergraduate majors. Honors students enjoy small classes, priority registration, special housing, increased interaction with faculty, and enhanced opportunities for hands-on research. Within the College, the Scholarship Office and the Office of Post-Graduate Fellowships provide additional services.
Promising high school seniors are assisted with their applications for the many available Sturgis, Bodenhamer, Boyer, and UA Honors College fellowships as well as Chancellor’s and University scholarships.
Once enrolled, honors scholars are assisted in applying for the nation’s most prestigious post-graduate fellowships. In recent years UA honors scholars have compiled an enviable record in these competitions.
Honors College students are a diverse group with widely varying interests, but they share an intellectual curiosity and energy that invariably leads to success.