Hogan Gidley, Vice Chair of the Center for Election Integrity & Senior Advisor for Strategic Communications at the America First Policy Institute, will be the keynote speaker for Academic Signing Day (ASD) in El Dorado, celebrating around 300 graduating seniors receiving the El Dorado Promise scholarship. The event will take place on Tuesday, April 9, at 1:15 PM, in the El Dorado High School (EHS) Wildcat Arena.
The El Dorado Promise was begun by Murphy Oil Corporation 17 years ago. The full scholarship continues to cover tuition and mandatory fees at any accredited two- or four-year post-secondary institution, up to the cost at the most expensive public university in Arkansas. Over 3,544 Promise Scholars have taken part, attending 153 colleges and universities in 35 different states.
Gidley grew up in El Dorado, Arkansas. Most recently, he served as National Press Secretary for President Trump's Re-Election Campaign and Principal Deputy Press Secretary and Deputy Assistant to the President in the Trump Administration. Gidley is a communications, political, and marketing consultant with over twenty years of experience. He was Director of Communications for Mike Huckabee, Elizabeth Dole, and Rick Santorum.
Also scheduled to present at Academic Signing Day will be Murphy Oil Corporation Board Member Madison Murphy, Representative Matthew Shepherd, and El Dorado Mayor Paul Chaote.
"Every Academic Signing Day is as exhilarating as the first, symbolizing a new chapter for El Dorado High School graduates. The El Dorado Promise ensures our graduates have the certainty of continuing their education," stated EHS Principal Sherry Hill.
ESD Superintendent Jim Tucker stated, "We greatly appreciate Murphy Oil Corporation and its continuation of the El Dorado Promise, which means so much for our district. We continue to grow a college-going culture by featuring a rigorous curriculum, plus one-of-a-kind innovative programs."
El Dorado Promise Scholars can attend any accredited two or four-year college or university in the United States. As a universal, place-based scholarship, any EHS graduate enrolled since at least the ninth grade can receive a college scholarship, with no high school GPA, income limit, or competitive application required. Graduates joining the military begin scholarships after completing one enlistment period.
Cheryl Patterson, Executive Director of the El Dorado Education Foundation (EDEF), stated, "The El Dorado Promise has significantly influenced students' aspirations for higher education. Through the foundation, we can provide unique educational opportunities that begin as early as fifth grade."
"Promise Scholars have completed studies from most Arkansas public and private universities, as well as 124 out-of-state institutions," stated Tiffany Hurley, El Dorado Promise Director. "Currently, they are attending 63 post-secondary institutions," added Hurley.
Promise scholars will sign academic letters of intent to attend these in-state colleges and universities: Arkansas Baptist College, Arkansas State University, Arkansas Tech University, Harding University, Henderson State University, Hendrix College, National Park College, Northwest Arkansas Community College, Ouachita Baptist University, Southb Arkansas College, Southern Arkansas University, Southern Arkansas University Tech, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, University of Arkansas at Monticello, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, University of Arkansas at Rich Mountain, University of Central Arkansas, and University of the Ozarks. Out-of-state colleges and universities acceptances include Grambling State University, Louisiana State University, Louisiana Tech University, Morehouse College, Northern Michigan University, Pennsylvania State University, Prairie View A&M, San Antonio College, Southern University, and A&M College, Texas A&M University, Texas Southern University, and University of Pittsburgh.
Academic Signing Day's title sponsor is First Financial Bank. The event is a partnership of EDEF, ESD, MurphyOil Corporation, and the El Dorado Promise. Other sponsors are the El Dorado News-Times.
Academic Signing Day committee members are Chair Alice Mahony, Michael Brookes, Ashlee Curtis, De'Anthony Curtis, Sherry Hill, John Jameson, Amber Murphy, Cheryl Patterson, Jim Tucker, Tiffany Hurley, Sylvia
Thompson, Lila Phillips, and Scarlett Gully.