Student grants from endowment honoring Clinton School Dean Emeritus announced

The college experience for seven students from University of Arkansas System campuses became a little easier after it was announced they earned grants from an endowment honoring James L. “Skip” Rutherford III, dean emeritus of the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service.

The endowment was established in 2021 at the University of Arkansas Foundation to honor Rutherford and provide support to student leaders across the UA System. This is the fifth year for grants to be awarded from the fund.

“I’m always so impressed by the hardworking, resilient nature of the individuals we learn about every year,” Rutherford said. “It’s truly a gift to me to have this program established in my name and to get to be a part of this process each year. It’s my hope that these mini-grants wind up being real difference-makers in the lives and educational journeys of these students. Once again the selection committee in this process did a wonderful job. I’m also grateful to all the donors who have helped make this program possible and hope they see the difference it makes each year in these students’ lives.”

Contributions to the fund are tax deductible and can be made online by selecting “Skip Rutherford Student Leadership Endowment” in the drop-down menu or mailing a check to the Clinton School at 1200 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock, AR 72201.

UA System Students receiving 2026 grants include:

• Brandi Denley, University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College
• Arturo Estrada, North Arkansas College of the University of Arkansas
• Brian Hall, University of Arkansas Grantham
• Jaylin Harris, University of Arkansas Community College at Hope-Texarkana
• Natalie Hernandez, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
• Warren Williams, University of Arkansas at Little Rock
• Sofia Wilson, University of Arkansas at Little Rock

The grants were awarded by an independent committee appointed by Dr. Michael Moore, UA System vice president for academic affairs, in accordance with the terms of the endowment. Each spring, undergraduate and graduate students from any UA System campus have the chance to apply for the grant. This year, roughly 200 students from UA System campuses from across the state submitted applications, according to Moore.

“This process always reveals inspiring stories of perseverance from students across the UA System and it’s always a challenge to select the winners among so many deserving students,” Moore said. “The quality of our applications reflects well on Dean Rutherford’s legacy, and I am proud that we get a chance to help students each year to honor him. Thank you to everyone who applied, and I continue to encourage those who did not receive an award to consider applying again next year.”

James L. “Skip” Rutherford III was dean of the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service from 2006 to 2021.