Herzfeld named UA Bodenhamer Fellow
A Benton High School graduate has been named as a 2021 Bodenhamer Fellow at the University of Arkansas, one of the most prestigious distinctions the university can bestow.
William “Hank” Herzfeld, who served as president of the his BHS senior class, was also the vice president of the National Honor Society and the varsity quiz bowl team captain. He played varsity tennis and served as president of the First Baptist Church Pure Energy Youth Choir.
“The Bodenhamer fellowship is a great honor and being named among this group of excellent students is both a recognition of hard work and a product of all the effort put in by my teachers, family and community to allow me to be where I am today,” Herzfeld said. “Being a Bodenhamer Fellow means that I will get the unique opportunity to work alongside other current and past Bodenhamer Fellows in research, leadership and community projects. I will also have a one-of-a-kind connection to other Bodenhamer Fellows from the past 20 years and will be part of a growing community of scholarly-leaders that will stretch beyond my college career.”
Now in it’s 23rd year, the Bodenhamer fellowship aims to cultivate a strong sense of community among current alumni recipients as they pursue an impressive range of careers and graduate and professional degrees, according to the U of A.
“I’m honored to welcome the Bodenhamer class of 2025 to the Honors College,” said Honors College Dean Lynda Coon.
“This rock star cohort exhibits an unprecedented engagement with community and an impressive variety of research skills. Their presence on campus will be vital.”
Choosing to become a Razorback was a logical choice for Herzfeld.
“I have always been a Razorback fan, so the University of Arkansas has been a front-runner in college choices,” Herzfeld said. “The announcement of the Bodenhamer Fellowship just went to aid my decision and came with a sigh of relief knowing that I had a clear choice.”
As he heads off to college, Herzfeld said that he is most looking forward to “meeting new friends, learning new skills and having a fun experience.”
According to the U of A, the Bodenhamer Foundation, created by Lee Bodenhamer (B.S.B.A.’57, M.B.A.’61, both at U of A, and D.B.A.’68, Harvard), established the Bodenhamer Fellowships in 1998. Students must score at least a 32 on the ACT and have a grade-point average of 3.8 or higher in order to be eligible for the award. Community service, extracurricular activities and evidence of intellectual curiosity, leadership and creativity are also considered in the selection process.
Herzfeld added that the fellowship also comes with a $72,000 scholarship over four years which will allow him to freely pursue his academic interests without the burden of college tuition payments or other overwhelming expenses.
The fellowship may also be used for study abroad programs, attendance at professional and educational conferences, research and any special equipment that the fellows may need.
“The new Bodenhamer Fellows will join a group of 155 current and alumni fellows who have benefited from the generous support of the Bodenhamer family,” the U of A said in a press release on the new fellows. “Alumni fellows are excelling in a wide range of career paths, from cybersecurity to opera performance to research on breast cancer metastasis. Many are pursuing advanced degrees at universities such as Harvard, Yale and Vanderbilt.”
Herzfeld is planning to study history due to his enjoyment of learning about political, technological and natural advances through the years and how those things impact the world we live in today.
“I’m hoping that with a history degree I will be able to go to law school,” Herzfeld said.
During his time at BHS, Herzfeld was a National Merit Scholar and an AP Scholar with Distinction. He earned third place at the Future Business Leaders of America State Conference and served as the campaign manager for former Benton City Attorney Brent Houston during his successful race for Saline County Circuit Judge - Division 3.
Herzfeld also served as a member of the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council in Benton, worked as a staff assistant in the Saline County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and attended the Arkansas Governor’s School. He is the son of Robert and Karma Herzfeld.
“I’d like to thank my family, especially my Mom and Dad,” Herzfeld said. “I also want to thank my past teachers and classmates who have impacted me.”