Students from across the University of Arkansas System are invited to submit applications for mini-grants awarded through an endowment honoring James L. “Skip” Rutherford III upon his retirement as dean of the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service in 2021.
Grants of up to $1,000 will be awarded to students for expenses such as technology, conference registration, interview expenses, travel, test preparation, books, equipment or other supplies where a student can demonstrate need through the application process. This will be the inaugural year for awards from the endowment, which will be given out each spring.
“I am thankful to Skip for the foundation he helped to build in his 15 years leading the Clinton School,” said Dean Victoria M. DeFrancesco Soto. “The mini-grants available to student leaders throughout the University of Arkansas System are an excellent way to honor his service and commitment to education and opportunities for others.”
The endowment was established at the University of Arkansas Foundation to honor Rutherford and provide support to student leaders across the UA System. Undergraduate and graduate students from any UA System campus are eligible to apply for grants, which will be awarded by a committee appointed by UA System vice president for academic affairs, Dr. Michael Moore, in accordance with the terms of the endowment.
“As a student, I was fortunate to receive help from others, and learned firsthand that little things mean a lot,” Rutherford said. “As a dean, I saw many financial challenges faced by students and was again reminded just how helpful a boost along the way can be. I’m honored that this endowment was established in my name, and I hope these grants help provide opportunities and open doors for others.”
The application process requires students to submit information about themselves and their proposed use of grant funding, along with contact information and a letter of recommendation from a faculty, staff or administrative advisor at their home campus. The deadline for submission is April 11, 2022.
Click here to submit an application form. After completing the form, students are required to submit 1) a letter describing their grant proposal, 2) a resume, and 3) a letter of recommendation from a home campus faculty, staff or administrative advisor. These documents should be emailed as PDF files to bbeaumont@uasys.edu.
For questions about the grant process please contact Ben Beaumont at bbeaumont@uasys.edu or 501-686-2531.
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