University of Arkansas Students Awarded Burlsworth Scholarships

Chancellor John White and Burlsworth Board members: l-r: Jim Lindsey, John White, Stanley Reed, Vicki Burlsworth, Marty Burlsworth, Barbara Burlsworth, Mike McFarland, Chuck Barrett, Duff Wallace

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The ninth class of Burlsworth Scholars at the University of Arkansas was honored on Saturday, Feb. 9, in a celebration during half-time of the Arkansas-Ole Miss basketball game. In all, 18 students were selected as Burlsworth Scholars.

The Brandon Burlsworth Memorial Scholarships were established in 1999, following the tragic death of the University of Arkansas All-American. University of Arkansas trustees Jim Lindsey and Stanley Reed organized a series of golf tournaments that have raised more than $2.2 million over the past nine years to endow the scholarships.

Each year, $5,000 scholarships are awarded to 18 students, characterized as academic "overachievers." Like Brandon Burlsworth, these are students, primarily from smaller towns, who did not receive much attention when they arrived on campus as freshmen, but who have, through hard work, perseverance and character become academic "stars."

In addition, a Razorback football player who began his career as a walk-on, but then earned a football scholarship, is honored as the year's Burlsworth Athletic Scholar.

The students are selected by the University of Arkansas Scholarship Committee. Members of the board of directors of the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation travel to Fayetteville to help recognize these outstanding students. Board members include Marty Burlsworth, executive director; Stanley Reed, Tommy Tice, Mike McFarland, Frank Broyles, Max Wright, and Chuck Barrett.

The Burlsworth Scholars chosen for the 2007-08 academic year are: Autumn Bynum of Johnson; Scott Coulter of Conway; Jessica Hesseltine of Springdale; Rebekah Horton of Harrison; Shelle House of Cabot; Kara Iribarren; Yerim Kim of Little Rock; Cassandra Kirk of Jacksonville; Amanda Lee of Fayetteville; Nicolas Moore of Fayetteville; Russell Moore of Beebe; Julius Sheppard of El Dorado; Callie Smith of Hardy; Jada Thompson of Lincoln; Amber Usdrowski of Fayetteville; Keri Walton of Cabot; Jason Wilkins of Fayetteville; and Elizabeth Williams of Farmington.

Jeremy Davis, a Razorback kicker from Fort Smith, is this year's Burlsworth Athletic Scholar.

Brandon Burlsworth began his Razorback football career as a walk-on, but earned a scholarship and then a starting position on the team's offensive line. By his senior year he was a team co-captain, as well as a consensus All-American. He was the first UA football player to complete his master's degree before playing his final game, and he capped his career by being selected as a third-round draft pick by the Indianapolis Colts. Burlsworth was killed in a traffic accident April 28, 1999.

Since 1999, 170 Burlsworth Scholarships have been awarded, for a total of more that $860,440.

###

Steve Voorhies, manager of media relations
University Relations
(479) 575-3583, voorhies@uark.edu