Thirty-seven first-year Hendrix College students selected for the Murphy Scholars Program were formally inducted at a ceremony held the evening of April 1, 2025. View event photos here.
The Murphy Scholars Program in Literature and Language is an opportunity for students from all majors, during their sophomore, junior, and senior years at Hendrix College, to deepen their knowledge of literature and language through a variety of enhanced experiences such as study-travel, research, internships, and more.
Hendrix College President Dr. Karen Petersen shared remarks with the new cohort of Murphy Scholars and their families at the induction ceremony.
“"The Hendrix-Murphy Foundation has made a lasting impact on generations of students, particularly through the Murphy Scholars Program. The foundation supports enriching educational experiences that enable Hendrix to fulfill its commitment to the liberal arts."
This year’s cohort, selected from the largest applicant pool in program history, includes students majoring in 22 unique areas of study, including 12 who are double-majoring.
Dr. Tyrone Jaeger, professor of English-creative writing, creative writing program director, and chair of Hendrix’s English department, issued a challenge to those newly chosen as Scholars.
Jaeger commented, “As you begin your journey as Murphy Scholars, I hope you’ll find ways to improve yourself, to be sure, but as you do so, I hope that each step of the way you’ll be asking how you can use Murphy’s resources to deepen your connection with others in our community, near and far.”
“The liveliness and breadth this new cohort is just delightful,” said Hope Coulter, director of the Hendrix-Murphy Foundation Programs in Literature and Language, which developed and oversees the Murphy Scholars Program. “Many of the new Scholars have already found roles in the literature and language scene at Hendrix, and others are eager to explore it.”
The Class of 2028 Murphy Scholars in Literature and Language are:
Zenix Ashby, psychology major from Donaldson, Arkansas
Layla Auld, accounting major from Tulsa, Oklahoma
Joanie Baker, history major from Forrest City, Arkansas
Maiya Bell, psychology major from Little Rock, Arkansas
Tobie Berry, Spanish and environmental science major from Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Jadyn Blevens, English-literary studies and psychology major from Little Rock, Arkansas
Elowen Britton, anthropology major from Marion, Arkansas
Zashenka Cervantes, psychology major from Little Rock, Arkansas
Monica Clampitt, English-creative writing and English-film studies major from Fayetteville, Arkansas
Rebecca Corona, politics major from Conway, Arkansas
Kali Cresswell, English-creative writing major from Conway, Arkansas
Alex Hernandez-Oaxaca, French and music major from Conway, Arkansas
J’Emann Lebrun, biochemistry-molecular biology major from West Memphis, Arkansas
Croix Licause, study of the mind major from Pea Ridge, Arkansas
Steele Matthews, environmental studies and politics major from Little Rock, Arkansas
Beckett McCaslin, politics major from Little Rock, Arkansas
Rory McCuien, history and art history major from North Little Rock, Arkansas
Belle McKelvey, English-creative writing major from Little Rock, Arkansas
Grace Moody, English-creative writing and psychology major from Little Rock, Arkansas
Sumaiya Musfirat Rabsa, biology and politics major from Bogura, Bangladesh
Rachel Pearce, physics major from Greenville, Texas
Savannah Peters, Spanish and biochemistry-molecular biology major from North Little Rock, Arkansas
Brooklyn Powell, English-literary studies major from White Hall, Arkansas
Luna Richter, physics major from Fayetteville, Arkansas
Tessa Rivera, English-literary studies major from Hot Springs, Arkansas
Jack Schneider, Spanish and chemistry major from Little Rock, Arkansas
Sheridan Smith, English-creative writing and music major from Garland, Texas
Michaela Stevens, English-creative writing and biology major from Hot Springs, Arkansas
Shelby Still, psychology major from Fayetteville, Arkansas
Alice Strickland, studio art major from Franklin, Tennessee
Bianca Thomas, biology major from Hot Springs, Arkansas
Lamis Vattoth, psychology major from Little Rock, Arkansas
Alexis Vega-Aguilar, biology major from Springdale, Arkansas
Roosevelt Whetstone, politics major from Bentonville, Arkansas
Psalm Wistrand, biochemistry-molecular biology major from Mena, Arkansas
Layne Workman, computer science major from Walnut Ridge, Arkansas
Elise Yannayon, Spanish and biology major from Beebe, Arkansas
All Murphy Scholars will graduate with distinction, having completed an Oxford-style tutorial course in language and literature and at least three of the Murphy Scholar Program’s approved co-curricular experiences in literature and language.
About the Hendrix-Murphy Foundation
The Hendrix-Murphy Foundation Programs in Literature and Language were founded in 1978 by a gift from Charles H. Murphy, Jr., former CEO of Murphy Oil Corporation, in memory of his mother Bertie Wilson Murphy. Their mission is to enhance and enrich the study of literature and language at Hendrix College. For more information, visit hendrixmurphy.org.
About Hendrix College
Founded in 1876, Hendrix College is featured in Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges and celebrated among the country’s leading liberal arts colleges for academic quality, engaged learning opportunities and career preparation, vibrant campus life, and value. The Hendrix College Warriors compete in 21 NCAA Division III sports. Hendrix has been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1884. Learn more at hendrix.edu.