Henderson State honors scholarship recipients
ARKADELPHIA — Henderson State University hosted a scholarship banquet Jan. 30 to honor incoming freshmen who were awarded scholarships from the new competitive scholarship packages.
More than 250 guests were in attendance. Students were presented a scholarship certificate by Glen Jones, Henderson president. David Thomson, Honors College director and English professor at Henderson, was the keynote speaker.
“We were elated to see a large number of our scholarship recipients and their families attend the first Henderson State University Scholarship Banquet,” said Lewis Shepherd, vice president of student and external affairs.
“It was a great event and allowed us the opportunity to showcase the fine talent that is produced in the high schools of Arkansas and surrounding states. We are very fortunate to be able to offer what we feel are extremely competitive scholarship packages that are intended to reward our incoming students for their scholarly achievements.”
The inaugural banquet was organized by the Office of University Relations and Admissions.
“Although not all recipients were able to attend the banquet, the turnout and early scholarship submissions suggest that revising our scholarship program has provided a more desirable opportunity for our students,” said Vikita Hardwrick, director of university relations and admissions.
“The college application process can be difficult, but not nearly as difficult as paying for college can be,” Hardwrick said. “A scholarship relieves some of the burden of paying for a college degree. The banquet was an opportunity to recognize some of the best and brightest students from Arkansas, Texas and Missouri.”
Henderson revamped its scholarship packages last November to assist families with higher education costs combined with cuts to the state lottery scholarship.
Henderson now offers $ 14,000 per year to top students who qualify for the Distinguished Freshman Scholarship, which is an increase of $ 3,000.
Students must have an ACT score of 30- 36 and a cumulative high school GPA of 3.25.
The Presidential Excellence Scholarship has increased to $ 10,000. The scholarship is available to students with an ACT of 27- 29 and a cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Students who qualify for the University Centurium Scholarship with an ACT of 24- 26 and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 will receive a total of $ 6,500 per year, while a new scholarship offers high school valedictorians and salutatorians with a minimum ACT of 19 and cumulative 3.0 GPA a $ 5,000 scholarship.
Students with an ACT of 19- 23 and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 may receive $ 2,500 per year with the Red and Gray Leadership Scholarship.
The Community College Transfer Scholarship has also increased to $ 6,000 per year to transfers with up to 60 hours or an associate’s degree with a cumulative 3.0 GPA.
The current average annual in- state tuition, fees, room and board for an incoming freshman taking 15 hours at Henderson is $ 13,458.
The number of available scholarships is limited and awards are made on a firstcome, first- served basis.