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C. Lowry Barnes, Stephanie Gardner, and the UAMS colleges' deans welcomed the inaugural Chancellor’s Scholars. Image by Bryan Clifton

UAMS Celebrates Inaugural Class of Chancellor’s Scholars

Sept. 14, 2026 | In a celebration of scholarship and philanthropy, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) recognized the inaugural class of the Chancellor’s Scholars Program at a Sept. 3 ceremony at the Capital Hotel in downtown Little Rock.

In total, 44 students from UAMS’ five colleges will receive full-tuition scholarships beginning the 2026-27 academic year.

“This is a big day for us, and with the start of the academic year, a perfect time to celebrate. We are excited to have this opportunity to recognize the inaugural class of Chancellor’s Scholars,” said UAMS Chancellor C. Lowry Barnes, M.D. “UAMS is also fortunate to have this program because of philanthropy, because of the people who believe in our mission — that means they believe in all the students who received these scholarships because you are the future of healthcare in Arkansas.”

Chancellor’s Scholars are selected based on academic merit, evaluated through a holistic review of the applicant’s academic record. Selection considers objective measures of academic performance, the rigor and consistency of prior coursework, and demonstrated commitment to scholarly excellence, as assessed by the admissions or scholarship selection committee within each college. Applicants must be Arkansas residents.

“Being proud of the state I grew up in, I am grateful and excited that this scholarship program supports students in Arkansas,” said Harmony Grace Skinner, College of Nursing Class of 2028. “On a personal note, this scholarship provides me with the opportunity to pursue my dreams in a way I thought was not possible, allowing me to become a great nurse without having to worry too much about financial stressors — to be able to graduate with a degree, completely debt-free, and in a profession that saves lives is a gift like no other.”

During the ceremony, UAMS leadership shared how philanthropic scholarships supported their academic journeys.

“I was fortunate to receive a scholarship from Dr. Banks Blackwell, an orthopaedic surgeon from Pine Bluff, Arkansas, who paid for my four years of medical school at UAMS,” said Barnes. “The only two things that he requested were that I did not tell anyone who funded the scholarship until after he passed away, and that I do the same for someone else down the line, which I did in establishing the Blackwell-Barnes Scholarship. I hope all the Chancellor’s Scholars will one day also pay it forward to future aspiring healthcare professionals.”

“Scholarships can be life-changing — I tell people all the time that I’ll never forget the day I got my acceptance letter from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, but my dad never forgot the day, three days later, when I was notified that I had received a full ride. It was huge, it was life-changing,” said Stephanie Gardner, Pharm.D., Ed.D., UAMS provost and chief strategy officer.

“I feel incredibly blessed and grateful to be selected as a Chancellor’s Scholar and to represent the UAMS College of Medicine. This scholarship is an invaluable gift that gives me the opportunity to pursue my medical education with greater freedom and focus, allowing me to devote myself fully to learning, serving the people of Arkansas, and growing into the physician I hope to become,” said Devan Mishra, College of Medicine Class of 2030. “As a native Arkansan, I am especially honored to receive this support from my home state. I recognize the responsibility that comes with this generosity, and I hope to honor the donors who have invested in my future.”

“I am also very grateful for the opportunity provided by the Chancellor’s Scholarship and am deeply thankful to the generous donors who have recognized the value of investing in the future of healthcare in our state,” added Eli Contorno, College of Medicine Class of 2030. “I am certain that we will all live up to the expectations and responsibilities that come with being Chancellor’s Scholars, and one day pay it forward towards future students.”