Congratulations to all of graduates from the Department of Anthropology, the Department of Economics, the School of Journalism and Strategic Media, the School of Social Work, and the Department of Sociology and Criminology!
Jessi Amason
College Scholar of Anthropology—Cultural Anthropology Emphasis: Summa Cum Laude
Additional Majors in Arabic, International Studies, Middle East Studies
Thesis Title: Gender, Human Rights, and Resistance in the Occupied West Bank
Thesis Advisor: Ted Swedenburg
Rachel Braun
College Scholar of Journalism—Advertising/Public Relations Emphasis: Summa Cum Laude
Thesis Title: A Measure on How Various Aspects of an Instagram Advertisement Affect Donation Intention; Demographics, Anecdotal versus Logical Reasoning, a Visual Element, Guilt, and Previous Donation Experience
Thesis Advisor: Jee Young Chung
“Normality is a paved road: comfortable to walk, but no flowers grow.”- Vincent van Gogh. No matter what your dreams are, pursue them full-heartedly and never give up on them. You are the ONLY one living your life so whatever path is going to make you happy is the right one. Future aside, learn to enjoy this moment. It goes by so fast and it is some of the best memories and friends you will ever make. You have all the time in the world to think about the future, enjoy being young while you can.
Morgan Browning
Departmental Scholar of Social Work: Summa Cum Laude
Minor in Spanish
Thesis Title: A Multi-Method Approach to Increasing the Recognition and Knowledge of White Privilege Among College Students: A Mixed Methods Research Study
Thesis Advisor: Kim Stauss
I am incredibly grateful for the experiences that I had while in Fulbright Honors. The support I have felt from professors and students within the program has helped me through the past four years. The advice that I have is to take advantage of all of the opportunities that this program provides, from studying abroad, to taking different and interesting classes, to completing research that you are passionate about!
Alexis Campbell
College Scholar of Journalism—Advertising and Public Relations Emphasis: Summa Cum Laude
Minor in Business Marketing and Logistics
Thesis Title: Alcohol Advertisements on Social Media: A study of how alcohol advertisements on social media platforms appeal to young people
Thesis Advisor: Jee Young Chung
I have had the best experience at the University of Arkansas. My best advice is to get involved as much as possible! Do all of the things that you wish you had done in high-school, now you have the chance!
Elijah Conley
Departmental Scholar of Journalism: Magna Cum Laude
Combined Major in Political Science
Thesis Title: “Separate But Equal”: A Content Analysis of the Framing of the Integration of Little Rock Central High School in the Press
Thesis Advisor: Lucy Brown
Completing my Honors Thesis is one of my favorite memories of my college career. The experience was the most challenging, yet fulfilling thing I did in college.
Amanda Crews
Departmental Scholar of Social Work: Cum Laude
Thesis Title: Perceptions of Race and Educational Opportunities in Little Rock: A Secondary Data Analysis
Thesis Advisor: Johanna Thomas
My time in the School of Social Work can be summed up by this Angela Davis quote: “I’m no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I’m changing the things I cannot accept.”
Natalie Demaree
Departmental Scholar of Journalism—News/Editorial Emphasis: Magna Cum Laude
Combined Major in Political Science, Minor in African and African American Studies
Thesis Title: Media Framing and Newspaper Coverage of Coronavirus: A Cross-Cultural Comparison of the United States, Mexico, and France
Thesis Advisor: Brandon Bouchillion
Caleb Hill
Departmental Scholar of Economics: Cum Laude
Minor in Mathematics
Thesis Title: Case Study: Evaluating Market Performance of Benefit Corporations
Thesis Advisor: Andy Brownback
The University of Arkansas was the perfect place for my college experience. Just remember to work hard, have fun, and make as many friends and memories as possible! Try to maintain that perfect balance between school, social life, and sleep. Know when to put the books down and make memories that will last far longer than any memory of your grades.
Marilyn Paige Meshach
Departmental Scholar of Criminal Justice: Cum Laude
Additional Major in Sociology
Thesis Title: Similarities and Differences in Criminogenic Factors Across Various Forms of Bias Homicide
Thesis Advisor: Jeff Gruenewald
My advice for future honors students is to utilize all that campus has to offer before it’s too late! This past year of online learning has made me realize how amazing our campus is and how much I miss it. Join as many clubs and activities on campus as you can! Most of my favorite experiences of college have happened right here on campus.
Jack Meullenet
College Scholar of Economics: Summa Cum Laude
Minors in French, Statistics
Thesis Title: Analysis of the Relationship Between Cryptocurrency Markets and the Computer Component Industry
Thesis Advisor: Dongya Koh
Katherine Nichols
Departmental Scholar of Journalism—News/Editorial Emphasis: Cum Laude
Additional Major in Journalism—Advertising/Public Relations Emphasis
Thesis Title: The Evolution of the Espionage Act: Journalism in a Digital World
Thesis Advisor: Rob Wells
My time in the Honors College overall was fantastic, but my favorite experience was drafting and defending my honors undergraduate thesis. I found it so gratifying that I was able to choose a topic that I was passionate about, research it over the course of almost two years, and and share it with a committee and an advisor that shared these interests. I have grown so much from this experience, and I am incredibly grateful to the Honors College for supporting my academic endeavors during my undergraduate career.
Charlene Niles
Departmental Scholar of Criminal Justice: Magna Cum Laude
Additional Major in Sociology
Thesis Title: The Geographical Tendencies in Serial Killers in the United States
Thesis Advisor: Christopher Shields
Kara Painter
College Scholar of Social Work: Summa Cum Laude
Additional Major in Spanish
Thesis Title: Analysis of Child Welfare Caseworker Attitudes Toward Policies Related to Family Reunification
Thesis Advisor: Alishia Ferguson
Your time at the University of Arkansas will fly by- treasure every moment and take advantage of every opportunity!
Lindsay Saylor
Departmental Scholar of Anthropology—Archaeology Emphasis: Summa Cum Laude
Additional Major in French
Thesis Title: Incisor microwear of lemmings and voles as a possible proxy for ecological subzone in the Arctic
Thesis Advisor: Peter Ungar
Spencer Shaw
Departmental Scholar of Criminal Justice: Cum Laude
Additional Major in Sociology
Thesis Title: Utilizing Deep Learning Algorithms to Discern Patterns of Far-Right Internet Communication via Natural Language Processing
Thesis Advisor: Christopher Shields
The honors experience offered by the Fulbright college did a great job of empowering me to perform meaningful original research.
Hunter Simmons
Departmental Scholar of Economics: Cum Laude
Additional Combined Major in Journalism—Advertising/Public Relations Emphasis, Political Science
Thesis Title: Disparities in Education Resources Within the State of Arkansas
Thesis Advisor: Andy Brownback
I think just being told how fast four years goes. It truly doesn’t sit in until your a second semester senior about to graduate. However, if you spent that time investing in people and experiences that matter than you won’t have any regrets. So I guess the best advice would be to follow your passions and spend every moment fully involved in whatever it is you’re doing.
James Cameron Tilley
Departmental Scholar of Anthropology
Minor in Biology
Thesis Title: Morphological Impacts of Cranial Base Development
Thesis Advisor: Claire Terhune
Summer 2021 Graduate
Enjoy your time at the University of Arkansas. It goes fast, but will be filled with lifelong memories.
Briana Monique Veiga
Departmental Scholar of Sociology: Summa Cum Laude
Additional Major in Criminology, Minor in Global Studies
Thesis Title: Punishing Ideologically Motivated Killers: A Comparison of Islamic Extremists, Far-Rightists, and Bias Homicide Defendants
Thesis Advisor: Jeff Grunewald
The thought of taking honors courses over 4 or so years and then completing a thesis at the end can be terrifying at first. I can’t explain how rewarding it is to be a part of the honors college and the unique class experiences we get to have and not to mention graduate school likelihood with honors standing. I recommend honors college to anyone and everyone that can enroll! Also, I can’t express how amazing studying abroad is. Thanks to the Honors College Study Abroad Grant, I was able to spend my Spring 2020 semester in Rome, Italy. Although cut short due to the pandemic, the friends and memories and experiences I made there are unforgettable and I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat. An experience of a lifetime that I would have never been able to do without the honors college!
Daniel Webster
College Scholar of Sociology: Magna Cum Laude
Additional Majors in Psychology, Criminology
Thesis Title: Not So Black and White: Gender Differences between Biracial Men and Women in their Sense of Belonging on a College Campus
Thesis Advisor: Brittany Hearne
Understand that life is a process, not a combination of your achievements. Thus, you are not behind. You are doing enough simply by being your authentic self, and remember to actually enjoy your time here before it is gone. Have fun, make friends, and remember that even when you think you can’t go further, you will.
Hannah Whitworth
Departmental Scholar of Journalism—Advertising/Public Relations Emphasis: Cum Laude
Minor in Business Marketing and Logistics
Thesis Title: The Pan-Asian Identity in American Media
Thesis Advisor: Kara Jolliff Gould
