The Southern Arkansas University Hallman Scholarship has been awarded to two promising 2024 freshmen women: Maggie McHenry of Magnolia, Arkansas, and Emilee Lyons of Bradley, AR. Funded by SAU Foundation’s Cinda Hallman Scholarship Endowment, the Hallman Scholarship provides scholarships for incoming freshman women in the College of Science and Engineering.
Maggie McHenry
Maggie McHenry
Legacy is important to Maggie McHenry. Born to SAU alumni, and raised in Magnolia, AR, McHenry has chosen to follow in not only her parents’ footsteps but also Cinda Hallman’s.
“Cinda Hallman’s life is an inspiring testimony that women can not only obtain a degree in STEM but also succeed in the field as well,” McHenry said.
McHenry describes herself as an inquisitive bookworm and credits her mother, a teacher, for instilling in her a love of learning. McHenry is also dedicated to helping others. She recently spent a gap year volunteering in Southeast Asia and plans to obtain a degree in nursing.
When asked what the scholarship means to her, McHenry said, “Receiving this scholarship is not only an honor, but it will allow me to finally reach my goal of becoming a nurse.”
Emilee Lyons
Emilee Lyons
Emilee Lyons is no stranger to hard work. While the Bradley, AR, native maintains a sharp focus on academics, she is also an active participant and leader in multiple clubs; plays basketball, softball, and runs track for her school; and she tends to her family’s livestock.
In her free time, Lyons participates in community service and works at the local veterinarian’s office, viewing every task as an opportunity to hone new skills on her path to becoming a physical therapist.
“I believe that failing to prepare is preparing to fail,” Lyons said. “Since the start of high school, I have been preparing for college.”
Both of Lyons’ parents attended SAU before becoming educators, and she will be the third of four children to attend the University. With two siblings who went on to pursue advanced degrees in veterinary science and pharmacy, Lyons is confident that SAU will make her a competitive applicant for physical therapy programs after graduation.
“I am highly honored to represent the qualities Mrs. Cinda Hallman possessed,” Lyons said.
The Cinda Hallman Scholarship
Cinda Hallman was a 1966 SAU graduate and 1999 recipient of the SAU Distinguished Alumni Award. As one of four women leading Fortune 500 companies when she became CEO of Spherion Corporation, Hallman had already received international recognition for her 20-year career at DuPont Global Systems and Purchases. At DuPont, she served as senior vice president and was named Chief Information Officer of the Year by Information Week Magazine for “reshaping DuPont’s information systems organization to meet the changing competitive needs of its business units.”
Dedicated to providing opportunities for women, Hallman provided funds for the scholarship through her estate with an aim to support incoming freshmen women in the College of Science and Engineering.
