Giving Thanks: Scholarship Helps Double Major Achieve Goal of Working in Advertising and Teaching
This December, members of our Fulbright College Family are sharing expressions of gratitude, letters of thanks and their appreciation for those who have helped make their educational journey possible.
Meet Lauryn Durby, who thanks to the Clifford Cooper Journalism Scholarship, is one step closer to her dream of becoming a creative director at an advertising firm and a professor teaching at the collegiate level
Clifford Cooper Journalism Scholarship Recipient Lauryn Durby
Name: Lauryn Durby
Hometown: Fayetteville, AR
Graduation: 2023
Major(s)/Minor(s): Majoring in Advertising/Public Relations and African American Studies, and minoring in Marketing
Activities/Interests: I am currently the president of a Registered Student Organization (RSO) I created on campus, Black Journalists Association, and I currently act as vice president for Advertising Club. I am incredibly interested in internationality and can be found reading books about it.
Career Aspirations: After graduating from the University of Arkansas, I plan to work as a creative director at an advertising firm for 5-10 years. Then, I plan to go back to school and get my Ph.D. so I can become a professor and teach at the collegiate level.
In her own words:
Thank you for supporting the Clifford Cooper Journalism Scholarship. I was recently notified by Todd Shields, the dean of the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences that I am the 2021 recipient of the Clifford Cooper Journalism Scholarship, and I am extremely grateful for the recognition and the support. I consider it an honor to represent this named award and thank you for your vote of confidence.
I graduated from Fayetteville High School in 2019, and I am currently a junior pursuing a double major in
African American studies and advertising/ public relations with a minor in marketing. Once I graduate, I plan to work as a creative director at an established firm.
Eventually, I’d like to teach a journalism course at the collegiate level, so I will continue at the University of Arkansas in the journalism doctoral program once I am satisfied with my career progress.
I have always worked full-time during the summers and part-time during the school year (about 25 hours each week) to help pay my own way through school, but because of this scholarship award, I think I will finally be able to spend more time studying and maybe even participate in a special study abroad program in Africa this summer!
Thanks again for giving to Fulbright College and for helping to make my dreams come true. This college has provided me with an incredible education and I really appreciate the opportunities both you and Fulbright College have provided to me.
Sincerely,
Lauryn Durby
For more information about the Clifford Cooper Journalism Scholarship or to make a year-end gift to support the college’s students, faculty, or staff, please contact Fulbright College’s Office of Development and External Relations at 479-575-3712 or fulbright@uark.edu.