JBU Honors Student Awarded Academic Prize at Oxford University
SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas (March 18, 2025) – Sarah Grace Smith, a senior English major and honors student at John Brown University, has been recognized with an academic prize for exceptional academic performance during the Fall 2024 Scholars’ Semester at Oxford University in England.
Run by Scholarship & Christianity in Oxford, the highly competitive program requires students to be enrolled in a university honors program and have a minimum 3.7 GPA. Through JBU’s partnership with Scholarship & Christianity in Oxford, Smith participated in the semester-long program in the university’s acclaimed tutorial system.
Each year, JBU sends two to three honors students to participate in the Scholars’ Semester at Oxford. The program is made up almost entirely of students from institutions within the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU).
As a registered visiting student of Oxford University, Sarah Grace received weekly, one-on-one instruction from expert scholars in disciplines including history, literature, languages, philosophy, musicology, art and science. Smith was one of six students who received an academic prize after being nominated by their tutors.
"It was truly a joy to study alongside wonderful peers in such a beautiful city," said Smith. "The time and investment I received from Oxford tutors was a true gift that helped refine my thinking and writing. I am incredibly grateful for the support and encouragement from JBU professors that allowed this experience to happen."
SCIO is a research and educational institute in Oxford, producing and supporting scholarship in a recognized centre of international educational and scholarly excellence. It offers semester and summer undergraduate programs, organizes large-scale pedagogical projects, manages research initiatives and supports the research work of scholars.
Through partnerships with North American and international institutions, including JBU, SCIO advances the scholarly development of undergraduates, graduates and faculty.
"The award was not a surprise for those of us who know her," said Ryan Butler, Ph.D., director of the Honors Scholars Program. "Sarah Grace is such an excellent thinker and student, and we're delighted that she's received recognition."
For more information about JBU's Honors Scholars Program, please visit jbu.edu/academics/honors/.
John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked university (The Wall Street Journal) and top-ranked regional university (U.S. News), JBU enrolls more than 2,200 students from 37 states and 42 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers over 50 undergraduate majors, with top programs including nursing, psychology, business, computer science, construction management, graphic design, family and human services, and engineering. Eighteen graduate degrees are available in business, counseling, cybersecurity, and education.
