After 12 years, El Dorado High School seniors saw a promise made good on Tuesday as they signed the El Dorado Promise.
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.
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.
Promise scholars signed 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