Womack names fellow from UAFS

University of Arkansas at Fort Smith student Luke Barber has been named the 2018 John Paul Hammerschmidt Fellow.

U.S. Rep. Steve Womack announced Barber’s selection on Thursday.

“The JPH fellowship honors the long-time service of John Paul Hammerschmidt by providing a unique experience for UAFS student leaders in our nation’s capital,” Womack said in a news release. “I look forward to welcoming Luke into our office this summer and continuing JPH’s important legacy of student-mentorship.”

Hammerschmidt, who represented Northwest Arkansas in Congress for more than a quarter century, was the first Republican to represent Arkansas on Capitol Hill since Reconstruction.

Elected in 1966, he went on to serve 13 terms. He died in 2015 at age 92.

During the fellowship, Barber will earn college credit while also gaining government experience. The fellowship “emphasizes hands-on activities that highlight the inner workings of the U.S. House of Representatives, including conducting extensive legislative research, attending hearings, and monitoring activity on the House floor, as well as assisting with constituent communications and general office matters,” Womack’s office said.

Although the fellowship is currently limited to UAFS students, the Republican from Rogers said he would like to expand the program so that students at other Northwest Arkansas schools also can have the opportunity to participate.