UA SENIOR SELECTED AS A RHODES DISTRICT FINALIST

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Eric Jackson, a Sturgis Fellow majoring in psychology in the Fulbright College of Arts and Science, has been selected as a Rhodes District Finalist. On Wednesday, ten students interviewed in Little Rock for an opportunity to advance to the district and final stage of the Rhodes competition.

Eric Jackson, who is from Idaho Falls, Idaho, first became interested in the University of Arkansas when he received information about the Sturgis Fellowship.

"The scholarship was an amazing opportunity for me, and it has opened many doors," Jackson said. "I spent last year at Cambridge, studying at Girton College, and I was able to travel extensively."

About the coming interview this weekend in Atlanta, Jackson is calm.

"I am so overwhelmed by the honor of being selected that I have not had a chance to get nervous," he said. "I hope the interview is over before it hits me."

A cocktail party is scheduled for tonight. Interviews will follow tomorrow. Other states in the district include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and Mississippi. Twelve to fourteen students will be interviewed at the district level. Four will be selected as Rhodes Scholars.

###

Suzanne McCray, Associate Dean, UA Honors College, 479-575-2509, smccray@uark.edu

Gina King, managing editor of periodicals, 479-575-5709, ginak@uark.edu