Watkins receives prestigious fellowship

Watkins receives prestigious fellowship

Earlier this spring, Sara Watkins wasn’t sure where she would be attending graduate school following commencement on May 8. She had won several awards for her academic performance while at Henderson State University, and was honored as the Outstanding Graduating Senior in mathematics.

Not long before graduation, Watkins learned she had been awarded a prestigious fellowship to pursue her Ph.D. in mathematics at the University of Arkansas. As the recipient of a Doctoral Academy Fellowship, she will receive $10,000 a year for four years with tuition waived.

Watkins will also become a graduate assistant earning $14,500 a year for five years with some teaching duties.

At the Ellis College Awards this spring, Watkins’ narrative read, “Some students get by in their mathematics classes through rote memorization, while others excel due to their ability to understand the concepts. Sara is one of the latter groups. She solves difficult problems, using good insights and creative approaches to the problems.”

Watkins is a member of Alpha Chi Honor Society, served as vice president of Kappa Mu Epsilon Mathematics Honor Society, secretary of the Math Club, and was a member of the Honors College.