2022 Student Scholarship Recipients

Major: Computer Science

Hometown: Lowell, Arkansas

Scholarship: UAACSCE Scholarship

“I am beyond grateful for your generous gift of the UAACSCE Scholarship, which allows me to pursue my academic and professional goals. Thanks to your support, I am one step closer to earning a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science.

Though I now call Arkansas home, I was born and raised in Maple Falls, Washington, as the youngest of four children. My parents were Ukrainian immigrants who came to this country hoping to give their children a better life. Although they never had much money or opportunities themselves, their hard work and dedication to us have not been in vain.

Today, they have seen three of their children graduate from the University of Arkansas, and I am on my way to doing the same. I want you to know that your contribution has greatly helped make their sacrifices meaningful.

As a child, my favorite time in school was spent in the computer labs playing educational games with friends. Now that I am older, I appreciate the many benefits we have gained through computers and other technology. The main reason I chose to major in an engineering discipline such as computer science is because of my passion for helping improve the lives of others, whether that be in the form of creating new websites or programs.

My academic background has been unique. I was homeschooled from the fifth grade up until I graduated high school. Before joining the University of Arkansas, I completed two years at the Northwest Arkansas Community College, which helped me see the importance of time management and perseverance in engineering. As part of a three-member team, I gained vital engineering experience while researching, building, and testing a small-scale desalination system aimed to impact and serve the community. Future careers that interest me include web development and machine learning. If it enables me to work abroad and see the world, that would be a bonus!

Upon completion of my undergraduate degree, I am devoted to giving back to my family and community through my services because all that I have accomplished so far would not be possible without them. This scholarship not only supports my education but also honors my parents’ sacrifices. Your generosity is helping me achieve my goals and give back to those around me.

Again, thank you so much for your support.”

-Shtunyuk, 2024

Major: Computer Science

Hometown: Fayetteville, Arkansas

Scholarship: UAACSCE Scholarship

“I wanted to thank you personally for your generosity and report in regard to my academic career. Being able to finish my degree at the University of Arkansas with your financial support truly makes a world of difference and I cannot thank you enough.  

As an immigrant that spent her first few years of life in China, coming to America has been life changing, especially in terms of quality of life and opportunity. Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of being able to blend my passions for creativity and innovation, and to me, a Computer Science degree at the University of Arkansas was the perfect place to make that dream a reality. 

My hope is that, with this degree, I will be able to get a job in the technology industry that will lead us into a better future. I have many interests, such as how we are currently using coding to help build cutting-edge surgery machines that are more accurate than humans, or algorithms that can diagnose diseases at rates far beyond the rather cumbersome speeds some people in our modern world still have to deal with. In order to gain that skill, I make sure to give it my all in my academics to make sure I have a strong foundation. 

This is why your support means so much. I am grateful for the opportunity to study and further my knowledge at the University since it is no secret that higher education can be rather expensive for some. Being one of those people that has to make sure every penny is accounted for, I cannot put into words how much this contribution means to me, and what a load it takes off my plate. I promise to not let your help go to waste and to continue to perform at my highest level during my time here.   

Again, thank you so much for your support.”

-Liang, 2024

2022 Student Scholarship Recipients

Waeland Elder

Major: Computer Science (4.0)

Hometown: Bentonville, Arkansas

Scholarship: UAACSCE Scholarship

“I am Waeland Elder, a third-year computer science major here at the University of Arkansas. As I’m sure that you know, attending a University in the modern day can be a very expensive thing to do, although very beneficial. By awarding me this scholarship, you are allowing me to take the focus largely off of financials and to put all my efforts into schooling, and I am so very grateful for that.”

-Elder, 2022

Sanjog Gururaj

Major: Computer Science (4.0)

Hometown: Bangalore, India

Scholarship: UAACSCE Scholarship

“Thank you for awarding me with the UAACSCE Scholarship. I greatly appreciate the financial assistance, and this award will help me for my future endeavors.”

– Gururaj, 2022

2021 Student Scholarship Recipients

Benjamin Allen

4.0 GPA

Senior working on CSCEBS

Alexis Carter

4.0 GPA

Junior working on CSCEBS