Hope student part of the Honors College at the University of Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE – The Honors College at the University of Arkansas has selected 16 exceptional freshmen for the Path Program, which offers financial support and personalized guidance to students who are first-generation college students, have significant financial need or come from less-served areas of the state.

In addition to receiving scholarships, mentorship and academic advising, Path scholars live in Hotz Honors Hall and benefit from academic and study abroad opportunities.

There are currently 82 Path scholars enrolled at the U of A. Over the past decade, scholars have made a lasting impact on campus, with alumni now working as physicians, earning international biomedical engineering fellowships, leading in the business world and teaching in Arkansas.

“We are excited to support the new cohort of Path scholars through their U of A journey,” said Xochitl Delgado Solorzano, assistant dean and director of the Path Program. “These outstanding students add a range of experiences and interests to the Path Program.”

Honors College Path Scholars, Class of 2029, includes Wynter Smith, Hope, computer engineering

The 16 students will receive academic scholarships of up to $5,500, thanks to support from campus and community leaders. Earlier this year, Chancellor emeritus G. David Gearhart and Jane Gearhart generously donated $50,000 to help Path scholars thrive on campus and join the Honors College.

“Our Path recruitment pipeline, reaching into every corner of the state, is thriving due to the exceptional work of Dean Delgado Solorzano and her expert team,” said Lynda Coon, dean of the Honors College. “We are thrilled to welcome this 12th cohort of exceptional Path scholars to campus. I know that they, like their predecessors, will shake things up, intellectually speaking, and engage in multiple ways across the university and beyond. I would like to thank our generous donors to the Path Program, who make this pipeline possible.”

The Path Program was established with a $5.5 million endowment from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation and continues to grow through generous gifts from Lee and Beverly Bodenhamer, Carolyn and Nick Cole, Lynda Coon, Orville and Susan Hall, Bob and Linda McMath, Mike Pierce and Trish Starks, Charles and Reynelda Robinson, and the Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation. In 2024, Path alumni also raised funds for an additional scholarship in celebration of the program’s 10-year anniversary.