2015-2016 Scholarship Recipients
Posted on November 23, 2015 by Jacob Howard Posted in News
The Arkansas Academy of Computing is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2015-2016 scholarship awards.
University of Central Arkansas
Min Ji Kim
My name is Min Ji Kim, and I was born on July 7, 1993 in South Korea. At the young age of 14, I moved to the United States with my mother and sister to a small town in Arkansas. I enrolled at Bryant Middle School then continued on to graduate from Bryant H.S in 2012. After graduating, I continued my education at Arkansas State University at Beebe in computer science. I eventually transferred to UCA starting in fall 2014. I chose to transfer to UCA to take more challenging courses for my major. The first semester at UCA was quite a challenge, but with the outstanding help and support from professors and students, I successfully completed my basic courses in order to move to a data structure class. I hope that during my remainder time here at UCA, I can take more classes pertaining to media and programming such as mobile programming and computer graphics. After I graduate, I hope to use my skills to design useful future-oriented programs.
Min Ji Kim
University of Central Arkansas
Jordan Stormo
I am a 19 year old female, and I have loved computers all my life. I joined the computer science program so that I may finally have the opportunity to learn how these machines operate, and so that I can help take part in building and maintaining the many various programs created by software developers around the globe. With my Computer Science degree, I hope to pursue a career in cyber security, where I will assist companies in designing software immune to hacking. I feel that this field provides me with a lot of opportunities because the number of jobs are constantly growing, and computer science as a whole is starting to be seen as a more favorable career choice.
Jordan Stormo
University of Central Arkansas
Matthew Martens
I am a non-traditional student, father of two, husband of one, runner, chicken-raiser, and surprised enjoyer of computer science. My experiences in universities and colleges are geographically diverse, and were in the past directed toward the creative and visual arts. Life changes and a desire for marketable skills lead to my choice of a Computer Science major upon entering studies at UCA. During my tenure here at UCA I have adopted a “wait and see” attitude regarding post-graduation plans, but recent developments have made me reconsider. The new plan is to pursue my Master’s degree in Applied Computing at UCA, and explore the possibilities of finding a location at which to complete my PhD. My interests in computer science range from information security, in which I participated in an internship at Dillard’s in spring 2015, to newer interests in virtual reality and educating future computer scientists.
Matthew Martens
University of Central Arkansas
Jake Farmer
My name is Jake Farmer. I am a junior at UCA. I discovered my love for computer science in high school when I enrolled in an elective programming class. I excelled at the material, and was guided by my teacher to major in it when I entered college. I have had a great interest in computers since a young age, so this seemed like the perfect path to follow. Through my studies, I have become curious of the intricacies of networking, and I would like to pursue network management and security as a career after I graduate.
Jake Farmer
University of Central Arkansas
Deana Johnson
I was privileged enough to grow up moving between San Diego and Hawaii. My mother was a single parent, who was also a member of the US Navy and raised me with the belief that anything was possible in life, but there would always be consequences for my actions and inactions. After working in the IT industry for few years as an analyst, I found that software engineering was extremely interesting. I am currently a computer science major in the UCA Computer Science department and will be graduating spring 2016. My future entails earning a graduate degree in Computer Science so that I may teach the next generation. In the meantime, I will be refining my skills as a software developer or architect and hopefully be involved in creating courses for our primary and secondary students to find out how amazing programming can be and the potential it has.
Deana Johnson
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
College of Engineering and Information Technology
Christopher Witt
Christopher is working toward a degree in Information Science with a focus in Computer Systems, where he also works in the Information Technologies Assistance Center. He is a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, the eSport Club, and the Bass Club. Outside of school, Christopher volunteers with his fraternity at many of the events in his community, including the Paul Dunn Classic, Race for the Cure, and the JDRF One Walk.
“I would just like to thank both my donor, and everyone out there who does so generously donates so that students who need the financial help, can be relieved as they pursue their goal of getting a higher education. Your donations not only relieve financial burdens, but it also show us that there are people out there who care. Thank you.”
David Witt
Arkansas State University
Laura Powell
Laura is a senior working towards a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics. In addition to all of her classes, she has been working on campus for the United States Department of Agriculture since March of 2015. She has enjoyed learning and gaining experience as a software engineering aide. Laura plans to graduate in May of 2016, and she is very excited about her future in the computer science field. After graduating, she would like to continue her education and pursue a graduate program in video game design and programming. Laura hopes to help and encourage others, especially young girls, to become involved and enjoy the field of computer science as much as she does.
Laura Powell
Arkansas State University
Patricia Davis
Patricia appreciates the Arkansas Academy of Computing’s furtherance of the computer science industry. She hopes to someday do great things in the field of computer science, particularly the advancement of artificial intelligence technology.
Patricia Davis
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Chris Foy
Chris Edward Foy Jr. is a sophomore, computer science – game option major. From Dick Jeter, Arkansas, which is between Jacksonville and North Little Rock, he plans to continue and finish his undergraduate and master degrees in computer science at UALR. He tries to be a part of a variety of clubs and organizations and is currently a part of E-sports, NAACP, National Society of Black Engineers, and he is a math mentor in the Dr. Charles W. Donaldson Scholars Program and National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Chris loves the impact people have had on him in college and appreciates making that impact on other students. He plans to go abroad to Korea during his junior or senior year and then do an internship during the summer of 2015. He is excited for his major and everything the future entails.
Chris Foy
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Paige Logsdon
Paige Logsdon is a senior Information Science student at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She is also an IT intern at Dillard’s and an employee of the Central Arkansas Library System. Paige recognizes the importance of protecting and analyzing data for business purposes. Upon graduation, she hopes to apply her knowledge in this field.
Paige Logsdon
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Zachary King
Zachary is a 19-year old sophomore pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He grew up in southern Arkansas and obtained a love for programming at an early age. He taught myself a small handful of programming languages during his last three years of high school and became interested in game development. Since then, he has practiced game development with Unity, web development, and various scripting projects. Here at UALR, he is the secretary of the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM), on the committee for the Society for Computing and Information Science (SOCIS), and an ambassador for the college of Engineering and Information Technology. He plans to pursue his passion for game development throughout and after college, as well as other technologies.
Zachary King
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Hanzhao Chen
Hanzhao is pursuing a Computer Science degree in University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He spent two years majoring in psychology before he decide to major in Computer Science as well. In high school he was the founder of the “Geek Club”, in which people share information and news about technology, learn knowledge about programming. He is interested in Human Computer Interaction field and now and he is taking more classes which has relation to it. He plan to graduate before May, 2017 and work as a programmer before pursuing a Master’s Degree. He states: “This scholarship provides me a chance to take more classes that I am interested in, and graduate as I expect.”
Hanzhao Chen
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Thomas Goss
Thomas is a junior at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock who is pursuing a double major in Computer Science and Mathematics. Aside from being a free-lance mathematics tutor, Thomas also works full time overnight as a caregiver for individuals with traumatic brain injury. In his spare time, he enjoys playing games, Netflix binge-watching, and working on personal development projects. After earning his degree, Thomas intends to enroll in graduate school with the long term goal of working as a researcher to assist in creating technologies capable of improving patient quality of life.
Thomas Goss
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
Mercedes Choice
I am involved in STORE, LeadHogs, NABA and Beta Gamma Sigma. I joined LeadHogs because I want to get involved with my community and have a say in the programs and activities that go on in my living community. STORE (Students of Retailing Excellence) gives me the opportunity to learn about retail and to hear from many business executives about the real business world. NABA (National Association of Black Accountants) keeps me updated with my fellow black accountants and allows me to hear from important people in the accounting field. Beta Gamma Sigma is an international honors society that I was awarded membership into because of my academic excellence.
I aspire to move to Austin, Texas and work in the field of information systems. I hope to work my way up the corporate ladder to become the CIO of a Fortune 500 company.
I am so thankful and honored to be the recipient of the Arkansas Academy of Computing Scholarship administered by the Sam M. Walton College of Business Department of Information Systems. It is truly a privilege to receive this scholarship. This scholarship allows me to continue my education in the field of Information Systems.
Currently, I am involved in LeadHogs, STORE and NABA. I was also blessed with the opportunity to study abroad as a freshman. I spent 3 weeks in Panama studying international business with a focus on supply chain management. I plan to study information systems abroad in Australia on exchange next semester. This scholarship will put me in good standing when I finish my education. To try to keep myself out of debt, I currently work at Domino’s Pizza part time.
Thank you for providing this scholarship to me, a student of the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas. Your generosity is making a difference in my personal life and my education.
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
Blair Parker
I am a member of Leadership Walton and have been really privileged to experience the many things that the organization has to offer me. I am also a member of TLA and the National Society of Leadership and Success.
I plan to find a career I love in the IT field with a company I am passionate about and excited to be working for.
Thank you so much for awarding me this scholarship. I am very grateful and I feel honored to be the recipient of this award. I have been so blessed to be part of such a wonderful program and have learned a great deal in my time here. I have had such amazing experiences as a student in the Walton College and feel so honored to be awarded a scholarship for my hard work. I am extremely appreciative, thank you very much.
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
Annalisa Scharff
I am involved with the Association for Information Systems and currently serving as the Vice President of Membership Development. I have also been a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority for the last 4 years.
I am currently an information services intern for J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc. where I get to pursue my passion of User Experience Design. I love UX design because it allows us to design applications that not only meet the business needs, but ultimately focus on the goals of the people who will be using the application. After I graduate in the spring, I will begin working full time at J.B. Hunt as a Systems Analyst.
I am extremely honored and humbled to have received the Arkansas Academy of Computing Scholarship. Thank you for recognizing and supporting my hard work at the Walton College thus far. Receiving this scholarship will help make my education more affordable and I could not be more grateful for your support. Thank you again!
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
Wen Su
Core member of International Culture Team; member of iFriend program; treasurer of Society Emerging of Global Businesswomen; volunteer for Friday Night Live events; volunteer of Fayetteville Public Library; volunteer of Red Cross University Program.
I would like to contribute my energy, knowledge, and skills in the air transportation industry working with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. I really liked the industry and would like to use my newly acquired knowledge in IT to help better it.
I was very glad to learn that I was a recipient of the Arkansas Academy of Computing Scholarship. I am writing to thank you for your financial support towards my higher education.
I am an Information Systems major student and I am pursuing a bachelor degree at the Sam’s Walton College of Business. I am currently in my junior year and plan to graduate at the end of next year (2016). After graduation, I will seek employment which is related to enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.
I really appreciate you granting me the scholarship which encourages me to work harder in my academic pursuits and helps me financially as well. I will take my newly acquired education and better be able to contribute back to society.
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
Michael York
I focus most of my time toward my campus ministry, the Razorbacks for Christ. I am currently serving as the student intern, so I am spending my days doing what I love: Loving God and Loving Others. I also work as a substitute gymnastics coach here in Fayetteville, one of my other passions!
I wish I knew! I know I want to stay in the Northwest Arkansas area and raise a family, while supporting my alma mater! Time will tell!
I thank you for your financial contribution to my continuing education here at the University of Arkansas. As each semester passes, I realize that I chose correctly when declaring Information Systems as my major. Much of that realization can be attributed to the great support I have from the computing community, from my professors to organizations such as the Arkansas Academy of Computing. I hope to be a great example of the continuing legacy of your great organization! Thank you again, and God Bless!