Article by: The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
The University of Arkansas at Fayetteville named two incoming freshmen from Central High School as Sturgis Fellows Monday, one of the most prestigious scholarships awarded to students.
Sturgis Fellows pursue a major in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences and participate in the Fulbright Honors program, completing an intensive academic curriculum. They also write an independent research thesis with a faculty mentor and they will be encouraged to study abroad and pursue internships.
Each fellow receives $80,000 during their four years to largely cover tuition, room and board, as well as academic expenses directly related to their individual major and/or research interests.
The two members of the 2024 class of Sturgis Fellows from Central High School are:
— Shashitej Mummadi of Little Rock Central High School, where he was a National Merit Semifinalist and an AP Scholar. He competed in both tennis and cross country during high school and co-founded and led a student organization to promote awareness of environmental and outdoor issues. He was also active in Boy Scouts of America and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. His volunteer work included service with CHI St. Vincent Hospital's ER as a nursing assistant, with the HEALERS Program and with Camp Aldersgate. Mummadi plans on majoring in biology and to become a physician. His parents are Raghu and Swathi Mummadi.
— Bhavana Sridharan of Little Rock Central High School, where she graduated as a National Merit Semifinalist. As captain of the school's quiz bowl team, she and her teammates won the 7A Arkansas Governor's Quiz Bowl Association State Championship. She participated in both unpaid and paid research opportunities and was third author on a publication accepted into Frontiers in Neuroscience. She was also a three-time grand award winner in cellular and molecular biology at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). In 2022, she co-founded the nonprofit Shruthilaya Academy of Arkansas, which teaches Indian Carnatic music to raise money for various causes. Sridharan plans to major in biology and psychology and pursue a career in oncology. Her parents are Viji Sridharan and Sridharan Soundararajan.
"It was an absolute pleasure to get to know these fantastic students through the interview process," said J. Laurence Hare, executive director of the Office of Undergraduate Excellence and Global Engagement in Fulbright College. "We are excited to welcome each of them to campus. They are bright, engaged and talented students who have benefited tremendously from the support of their families and their teachers."
The Fellowship was established at the UA in 1985 through the Dallas-based Roy and Christine Sturgis Charitable and Educational Trust with an endowment of $2 million. Additional gifts were made in 1992 and 1998, bringing the total program endowment to $10 million. The gift supports 16 to 24 Sturgis Fellows on campus at any given time.
The Sturgis Fellowship, the oldest fellowship program at the U A, is highly competitive.
Students must score at least a 32 on the ACT college entrance examination and have a grade point average of 3.9 or higher to be eligible to apply for the fellowship.
Since 1986, Sturgis Fellows have won Rhodes, Marshall, Truman, Gates, Cambridge, Goldwater and Fulbright scholarships.
The fellowships and their associated opportunities are made possible by the continued support of the Roy and Christine Sturgis Charitable and Educational Trust.
"The Sturgises have created an incredible legacy through this fellowship," said Jill Geisler Wheeler, Fulbright College's director of Honors and Experiential Learning, "Because of their vision and generosity, we've been able to help hundreds of incredible Arkansas scholars thrive, grow and accomplish amazing things during their time with us."