Fulbright College Announces its 2020-21 Jessamy Eve Samuels Memorial Scholarship Recipients

Three new outstanding freshmen have been named the 2020-21 recipients of Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences’ Jessamy Eve Samuels Memorial Scholarship – Steele Englemann, Jacinda Montgomery and Kourtney Thompson.   

The trio joins a prestigious group of University of Arkansas scholars who have received the memorial scholarship, which was established in 2016 to honor the award’s namesake.  

Englemann of Springdale, Montgomery of Rogers, and Thompson of Springdale will each receive $5,000 a year for four years toward their studies, as long as they maintain all scholarship requirements.  

The Samuels family and other donors contributed more than $100,000 to create the Jessamy Eve Samuels Memorial Scholarship. Jessamy passed away in May 2016 after a tragic fall while hiking at Hawksbill Crag in Newton County, devastating those close to the vibrant 19-year-old freshman. She was an honors student in the Fulbright College and was interested in studying anthropology and journalism. 

“Jessamy had an unparalleled love of learning and a constant drive to empower others in any passion that they wished to pursue,” said her older sister, Cicely Samuels, when the fund was started. “Through this scholarship, we hope to echo her hopes by empowering young people to throw themselves into an educational journey at this fantastic university that Jessamy was proud to call her school.”  

To qualify for the scholarship award, students must be graduates of a public Arkansas high school, meet GPA and ACT requirements, intend to be an honors student, display leadership abilities and be involved in extracurricular activities. 

Steele Englemann plans to major in anthropology with a minor in Asian studies, and also participates in choir and theatre activities. The Honors freshman graduated from Har-Ber High in 2020, and hopes that after completing his undergrad degree, he’ll attend graduate school to research the correlation between globalization and mental illness.  

“I am also interested in learning as much as I can about my surroundings, the culture, people, architecture, and so on,” he said, adding that he hopes to “one day be able to study the societal causes of eating disorders in adolescents around the world as a cultural anthropologist.” 

 Engleman thanked the Samuels family for their support, adding that “this scholarship award will open up so many more opportunities for me both academically and financially. This award will relieve much of the financial stress off of my family and allow me to focus more on my education. I want to reiterate how thankful and humbled I am to have been deemed eligible for the Jessamy Eve Samuels Memorial Scholarship.” 

 Jacinda Montgomery plans to major in political science or criminology, with a minor in legal studies to help her prepare for law school. The Honors freshman graduated from Rogers High School in 2020, and now is a member of the U of A’s Mock Trial Team, volunteers at the Jane B. Gearhart Full Circle Food Pantry, and in her spare time loves reading, art and football.  

 “I hope to continue my education by going to law school and becoming a child advocacy lawyer,” she said. “I hope to help propose legislation that can reform the foster care system and make everything be more smooth and safe for the children involved.” 

 Montgomery added that she also hopes to make the Samuels family proud and that she plans to put the scholarship “to good use.” 

 “This scholarship is going to help my family so much,” she said. “Knowledge and school are invaluable gifts. I am so very honored to have received this scholarship and I hope to bring honor to Jessamy’s name.” 

 Kourtney Thompson plans to double-major in international studies and political science to help reach her goal of becoming a social justice lawyer based in Washington D.C. The Honors freshman graduated from Springdale High School in 2020, and now is part of U of A’s Associated Student Government, Razorback Action Group, and in the Chi Omega Fraternity. 

 After experiencing a COVID-19 pandemic-related job loss in her family, Thompson said the scholarship is even more meaningful to her now.  

 “This scholarship will be a significant help to me and my family,” she said. “Thank you so much for creating this scholarship and allowing students like me to benefit from it. I think it’s amazing that the Samuels chose to honor their daughter in such a selfless way.” 

 Thompson said the scholarship will “relieve so much stress from my family,” adding that she is “so honored that you saw even a hint of Jessamy in me and I hope to honor her in everything I do at the University of Arkansas.” 

  Previous Jessamy Eve Samuels Memorial Scholarship recipients have remained in good academic standing and each continues to receive $5,000 a year toward their studies from the fund.  

 For more information about the Jessamy Eve Samuels Memorial Scholarship or to apply, please visit the online scholarship page. 

 For more information about Jessamy Eve Samuels’ life and legacy, please read this story.