Six incoming students from across the state of Arkansas will join the distinguished list of Sturgis Fellows this fall in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences' Honors Program. 

The Fulbright Office of Undergraduate Excellence and Global Engagement is thrilled to announce the new members of the 2025 class: 

• Jaden Batey of Farmington 

• Patrick Esau of Cabot 

• Safi Harris of Bentonville 

• Rajaa Kaddoura of Fort Smith 

• Kaitlyn Kuehn of Rogers 

• Annalise Montgomery of Conway 

"Fulbright College is proud to welcome the 39th class of Sturgis Fellows to our college and to the University of Arkansas," said Brian Raines, dean of Fulbright College. "These students are among the brightest in Arkansas. They've already achieved so much, and through this fellowship opportunity, they'll gain access to world-class education, support and resources in Fulbright College to pursue their next great achievement." 

The Sturgis Fellowship is the oldest of the U of A's prestigious fellowship programs. "This fall, we're proud to have supported more than 250 fellows through their undergraduate journeys," said Jill Geisler Wheeler, Fulbright College's director of honors and experiential learning. "Our Sturgis 'family' keeps growing, and the connections they form last a lifetime." 

The fellowship awards each fellow $80,000 during their four years to cover tuition, room and board, and other academic expenses directly related to their individual major or research interests. The Sturgis programs and their associated opportunities are made possible by the continued support of the Roy and Christine Sturgis Charitable and Education Trust. 

"The Sturgis Family has created an incredible legacy through this fellowship," said Laurence Hare, executive director of the Fulbright Office of Undergraduate Excellence and Global Engagement. "Thanks to their vision and generosity, we've been able to help hundreds of incredible scholars thrive, grow and accomplish amazing things during their time with us." 

To qualify for the Sturgis Fellowship, students must score at least a 32 on the ACT and have a grade point average of 3.9 or higher. Sturgis Fellows actively pursue a degree within Fulbright College, complete an intensive academic curriculum and conduct independent research under the direction of a faculty mentor on campus. They are also encouraged to study abroad and pursue internship opportunities during their time at the U of A. 

Since 1986, Sturgis Fellows have won Rhodes, Marshall, Truman, Gates, Cambridge, Goldwater and Fulbright scholarships. Their undergraduate study abroad experiences included programs in Japan, England, India, South Africa, Ghana, Rwanda, China, Russia, Italy, Germany, Austria, Australia, Scotland, Ireland, Spain, France, Denmark and Thailand. 

2025 Sturgis Fellows 

Jaden Batey is a graduate of Farmington High School, where he served as class president and Student Council representative for his class. He was a dedicated member of both marching and concert bands, where he served as percussion section leader and drum major. While holding the position of vice president for his school's DECA chapter, he competed twice internationally, representing Arkansas in competitive business operations across multiple industries. He founded the Farmington High School Debate Club and served as president in its inaugural year. He actively volunteers for Arkansas Boys State as a counselor to spread leadership and civic engagement across the state and works through his church association as a volunteer musician. Batey plans to major in history and political science before attending law school to specialize in criminal defense. His parents are James and Jamie Batey.   

Patrick Esau is a graduate of Cabot High School, where he placed top 10 in his graduating class and was a National Merit and Questbridge College Match finalist. Esau is a dedicated percussionist. He was a three-year All-State percussionist and featured soloist in the 2024 CHS band marching show, and he was involved with the Lotus Indoor Percussion for most of his high school career. He is currently marching in the Music City Drum Corps, performing approximately 20 shows across the country this summer. Esau plans to earn a B.A. in music and to pursue a career in education and design in the marching arts. His mother is Jessica Esau, and his grandfather is Kenny Esau. 

Safi Harris is a graduate of Bentonville High School, where she was an AP Scholar with Distinction and earned the Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy for her proficiency in English and Spanish. A dedicated cheerleader, she was a UCA All-American and was named Best Sideline Cheerleader two consecutive years. Harris is a nationally registered EMT and EKG technician, having completed hands-on clinicals in hospitals and fire departments before taking her national exams. Beyond the classroom, she took on leadership and volunteer roles through her church. She also enjoyed her time working multiple part-time jobs, more recently becoming a medical scribe for an immunologist. Harris additionally conducted ultrasound research and hopes to continue similar work at the U of A. She is pursuing a dual degree in political science and finance with plans to minor in biology. Her parents are Richard and Michelle Harris. 

Rajaa Kaddoura is a graduate of Southside High School in Fort Smith, where she was a National Merit Finalist and an AP Scholar with Distinction. She served as the founder and president of her school's ACT Prep Club and was very active in the Southside HOSA Chapter, serving as the secretary. She worked as a biology research assistant at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, conducting studies on the expansion patterns of the Limpkin and presenting the results at a state symposium. She was a co-first author on a publication accepted into the Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science. She also conducted and presented research at the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education and was a featured speaker at the Johns Hopkins Global Health Leadership Conference. She fills her time volunteering at the local hospital. Kaddoura plans to major in biology and to become a physician. Her parents are Lubna Almidani and Salahuddin Kaddoura. 

Kaitlyn Kuehn is a graduate of Haas Hall Academy's Rogers campus. Throughout high school, many of her activities centered on international engagement, such as leading the new Model United Nations club and focusing on foreign language involvement, which ultimately culminated in her receiving a Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish. In her spare time, Kuehn teaches martial arts, while also enjoying running. She looks forward to majoring in political science with the goal of later pursuing a master's degree in peace, security and international law in preparation for a career with international organizations fostering peace and dialogue amidst global disputes. Her parents are Jill and Mark Kuehn.   

Annalise Montgomery is a graduate of Conway High School, where she was a National Merit Finalist, an AP Scholar with Distinction and a recipient of the Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish and English. She was also an officer of the Spanish Club, a member of the National Spanish Honorary Society and a two-time National Spanish Examination medalist. She consistently placed in the first violin section of the Arkansas All-State Orchestra and was a member of the Conway High School Chamber Orchestra. During her senior year, she was a student member of the Conway Symphony Orchestra, an organization including professional musicians and University of Central Arkansas music majors, and a violinist in a UCA chamber ensemble. She also volunteered with the CSO to introduce children to musical instruments at community events. She played violin at churches, elementary schools, assisted living homes and community events, and she participated in paid musical performances. Montgomery plans to major in music and minor in Spanish. Her parents are David and Karen Montgomery.

ABOUT THE STURGIS FELLOWSHIP 

The Sturgis Fellowship in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences was established at the U of A in 1985 through the generous philanthropy of the Dallas-based Roy and Christine Sturgis Charitable and Educational Trust with an endowment of $2 million. The program's success led to additional gifts in 1992 and 1998, bringing the total program endowment to $10 million. 

The late Roy Sturgis was a native of Kingsland and was one of 10 children of an Arkansas farmer and homemaker. He married Christine Johns in 1933, and together they amassed a $40 million fortune, thanks to success in the timber, lumber and sawmill industries in Arkansas and the ownership of other prosperous enterprises. Although neither had an opportunity to receive an advanced education, they recognized the importance of higher education for everyone. Their generosity through the charitable trust has provided scholarships for many young people attending colleges in Arkansas. They spent most of their lives in Arkansas and focused their philanthropy on educational opportunities for youth, health and social service programs, medical research and the arts. 

With only 18-25 Sturgis Fellows on campus at any given time, each receives individual attention from the director, associate director and staff of the Fulbright College Honors Program, which delivers a memorable and productive college experience.