Sarah TolbertSarah Tolbert of Fort Smith, AR  attends the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville working towards a MS in Speech-Language Pathology. She received a $3,000.00 scholarship for the Fall 2024/Spring 2025 term and will graduate Spring 2025. She has been part of our program since 2021 and has maintained a 4.0 GPA the entire time.Sarah…

Miranda SmithMeet Miranda Smith of Barling, AR who first joined our program last year. She is working on her Doctorate of Nursing Practice – Nurse Midwifery degree and will graduate in May 2025!This remarkable young woman has dedicated her life’s work to “serve the women and children of Arkansas by bridging gaps in care and…

Ashlyn RoffineAshlyn Roffine of Fort Smith, AR received her second $2,000 Scholarship to UAFS where she is working to obtain her BSIS in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, with plans to graduate in Spring 2026.After high school graduation in 2021, she chose to stay in Fort Smith to pursue her degree in radiography and has already received…

Mikelle PorterReintroducing Mikelle Porter of Van Buren, AR who is attending UCA to obtain her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She was awarded  a $3,000.00 Fall 2024 – Spring 2025 scholarship and will graduate in Summer 2025. A summer job in 2020 led her to interact with multiple children who had delayed language development – which…

Kobe PanisAnd here is repeating recipient Kobe Panis of Greenwood, AR. He received the Dr. James Greene Nursing Scholarship Award in the amount of $2,000.00 for the FY 2024-2025 terms to the University of Fort Smith, AR. We felt that Kobe would be an outstanding recipient of this incredibly special honor. He states, “all my life…

Ryan HewettHere’s to Ryan Hewett of Van Buren, AR who received a $1,500.00 scholarship to Arkansas State University where he’s working on his Master of Nursing degree in Nursing Administration, and will graduate in December 2024. He initially received his BSN degree from the University of Arkansas in 2021 but knew he wanted to do more…

Jania FlakeAnother “second year “recipient, Ms. Jania Flake of Fort Smith, AR, received a $3,000.00 scholarship to Oklahoma State University where she will receive her MS in Athletic Training in Spring 2025.Initially, Jania wanted to be physical therapist but realized that athletic training would bring her more fulfillment after witnessing an interaction between an athlete…

Perri Efurd SweetRe-introducing Miss Perri Efurd Sweet of Fort Smith, AR who received a $3,000.00 scholarship to the University of Central AR where she is pursuing her Masters in Speech Pathology Language Pathology.Her biggest influence was her mom who practiced as a speech pathologist for 20 years. She found a passion for working with the…

Madison Combs Here is Madison Combs of Pocola, OK who received a $3,000.00 scholarship to Northeastern State University for the Fall 2024-Spring 2025 terms. She is working on her Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology and plans to graduate in Spring 2027.Madison is a “second year” Degen recipient and following in her mother’s footsteps to…

Gracie Weidman Please welcome Gracie Weidman of Fort Smith, AR who received a $3,000,00 Scholarship to the University of Central Arkansas for the Fall 2024 & Spring 2025 terms. She is working towards her MS in Communication Sciences Disorders and plans to graduate in Fall 2026. Gracie related that as a child she was very reserved…

Averett “Avery” PhillipsIntroducing Ms. Avery Phillips of Fort Smith, AR.  She received a $2,000.00 scholarship for the 2024 Fall – 2025 Spring Semesters to the University of Arkansas Fayetteville and will graduate in Winter 2025 with a BSN degree.Avery has always had her mind set on pursuing a career in the medical field and looked…

Martin Nunez, Jr.Meet Martin Nunez, Jr. of Alma, AR. He received a $2,000.00 scholarship to the University of Arkansas Fort Smith for the Fall 2024-Spring 2025 term, where he is working on his BSN degree. He will graduate in Spring 2026.This first generation college student became interested in nursing after taking his girlfriend to the…

Anna Lee Meet Anna Lee of Van Buren, AR who received a $3,000.00 scholarship to the University of Central Arkansas, where she is working on her MS degree in Communication Sciences Disorders with plans to graduate in Fall 2026. Anna volunteered and job shadowed at the Gregory Kistler Treatment Center as a freshman in high…

Olivia Jones Introducing Miss Olivia Jones of Arkoma, OK who received a $2,000.00 Scholarship to the University of Arkansas Fort Smith where she is working towards her AAS degree in Radiography, and will graduate in Spring 2025. This vivacious young woman wants to make a difference in people’s lives and work in a career that…

Ashlynn FluteMeet Miss Ashlynn Flute of Muldrow, OK who received a $2,000.00 scholarship to the University of Arkansas Fort Smith! She will graduate in Spring 2025 with her BS degree in Dental Hygiene.The UAFS Dental Hygiene program only accepts 16 applicants per year and Ashlynn felt chosen for a reason – and “it has clearly…

Sheniah BalagtasIntroducing Miss Shaniah Balagtas of Barling, AR. She is new to the program and received a $2,000.00 scholarship to the University of Arkansas Fort Smith where she is working towards her BSN degree. She will graduate in Spring 2025.Currently she works as a Patient Care Technician at Baptist Health in Fort Smith. After graduation,…

Ella AustinIntroducing Ella Austin of Lavaca, AR who received a $3,000.00 scholarship to the University of Central Arkansas for the Fall 2024-Spring 2025 terms. She is working towards her Master of Science in Nutrition, Dietetics and Nutrition Therapy degree.Ella says that “I want to impact lives and positively change the food system, starting with the…

Mikella ArbaughThe Degen Foundation welcomes Miss. Mikella Arbaugh of Fort Smith, AR, to our scholarship program. She received a $4,000.00 scholarship that will go towards her Family Nurse Practitioner degree through Arkansas State University and will graduate in Fall 2025.She has been working as a forensic nurse at the Crisis Intervention Center performing sexual assault…