Giving Thanks: Scholarship Helps Doctoral Student Travel to Complete Research And Fulfill Dream of Becoming a History Professor

This November, 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 James Cooke, who thanks to the Ralph V. Turner Endowed Travel Award Fund, is one step closer to his dream of completing his research in Northern Ireland and becoming a history professor.

Ralph V. Turner Endowed Travel Award Fund Recipient James Cooke

Name: James Cooke
Hometown: Siloam Springs, AR
Graduation: 2024
Major(s)/Minor(s): History major

Activities/Interests: Photography, hiking, reading

Career Aspirations: Professor of History

In his own words:

Dear Dr. Turner,

I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for your support and generosity through the Ralph V. Turner Endowed Travel Award Fund. It is with great pleasure that I share with you that I have been selected as a recipient of the scholarship for 2023. I am truly honored and grateful for the recognition and support.

As a graduate student pursuing my Ph.D. in U.S. History, I am thrilled to inform you that I have begun writing my dissertation examining a civil rights movement Northern Ireland. I am excited to let you know that this award will help me complete all the research that is required to finish my dissertation. I plan to return to the U.K. this summer to complete my archival research and conduct interviews as well. With that, I should be able to defend my dissertation late next spring. Last year, the trip made possible by your scholarship was immensely helpful, and I was able to explore the feasibility of several research ideas on my project. Your support has enabled me to further my academic work, and I am grateful for the opportunities that this scholarship has presented.

I am especially grateful for the financial assistance that this scholarship provides. As you may recall from my previous letter, although I have a graduate assistantship working part-time for the Department of History, I still work part-time outside the university to cover our living expenses. This scholarship has been an incredible gift, and your generosity has been instrumental in allowing me to continue my research work.

Once again, I would like to thank you for making this travel grant possible and for supporting my academic endeavors. The opportunities that the University of Arkansas and the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences have provided me have been exceptional, and I am grateful to be part of such an outstanding academic community.

Again, thank you for helping to further my academic work and research!

Sincerely,

James Cooke

For more information about the Ralph V. Turner Endowed Travel Award Fund 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.