LITTLE ROCK (Friday, May 24, 2024) — Four students from University of Arkansas System campuses have earned grants from an endowment honoring James L. “Skip” Rutherford III, dean emeritus of the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service.
“Now in its third year, it’s humbling to see the interest that expands each time we begin accepting applications,” Rutherford said. “Reading their stories really illustrates the needs we initially had in mind for these mini-grants and it’s fun to see. My hope is that each award will help each of them reach their goals in higher education and beyond. It’s the donors to this endowment who are making the real difference for these students and future generations of recipients in need of support across the UA System.”
Those receiving 2024 grants include (bios below):
- Julio Alvarez, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
- Chelsea Nichols, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
- Lydia Mondy, Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas
- Dorothy Tate, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
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 third year for grants to be awarded from the fund. 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.
“As is always the case, we thoroughly enjoyed reading more than 150 personal stories of applicants and tackling the difficult task of determining which ones were most compelling to receive awards,” said Eric Wilson, chair of the Rutherford Endowment selection committee. “This year’s recipients each represent what this program is all about – providing support to those students who could use a boost to help reach their goals in higher education. I want to encourage those who we couldn’t fund this year to apply again next year.”
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.
James L. “Skip” Rutherford III was dean of the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service from 2006 to 2021. During his deanship he emphasized the unique project-based learning model in the school’s Master of Public Service degree program and built a nationally renowned public speakers’ program, among other accomplishments. Before becoming dean, Rutherford oversaw the planning, construction and opening of the Clinton Presidential Center. He also has an extensive private sector background in communications and public relations. The Rutherford Student Leadership Endowment was founded in 2021 by friends of Rutherford upon his retirement to honor his life and career in public service.
More information about this year’s recipients:
Julio Alvarez is a civil engineering major at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, who is completing his second year at the university after transferring from Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas where he earned an associate degree. A native of De Queen, Alvarez has worked as a farmhand caring for livestock and poultry on his family’s farm since he was 10 years old. While adjusting to the demands of the engineering curriculum at a large university, Alvarez still travels home a few times a month to help his family manage the farm, and he plans to use his grant to help cover his significant transportation costs.
Chelsea Nichols is a registered nurse who returned to school to pursue her master’s degree in public health from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciemces (UAMS) Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health. A student worker at the UAMS 12th Street Health and Wellness Center, which serves uninsured patients in central Arkansas, Nichols holds a certification from the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) that she utilizes to help the clinic maintain compliance with state and national quality standards. Nichols will use her grant money to pay for the renewal of her CBIC certification, including covering the cost of continuing education and resources associated with the renewal.
Lydia Mondy is a pre-nursing student at Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas (PCCUA) who ultimately plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in pediatric nursing. The youngest of nine children, Mondy has thrived at PCCUA, earning Phi Theta Kappa honors during her first year. Mondy currently works part-time on campus to help cover her educational expenses, including as an on-air voice for KJIW radio. She plans to use her grant to help minimize her borrowing costs as she continues her pursuit of a bachelor’s in nursing.
Dorothy Tate is a senior psychology major at the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff (UAPB). A native of Addison, IL, Tate studied at Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas before transferring to UAPB. Tate has worked several part-time jobs to help pay for her education, including as a cashier and server for various restaurants and as a security guard. Tate plans to use her grant money to help defray the cost of tuition, books and other essential needs as she approaches her expected graduation in December.