Jessica Swonger, a recent graduate of Mountain Home High School in Mountain Home, Arkansas, was recently awarded a full-tuition scholarship to attend Howard Payne University as a student in the university’s Guy D. Newman Honors Academy. Swonger, the daughter of Darin and Melissa Swonger, began at HPU this fall and plans to major in jurisprudence, psychology and the Guy D. Newman Honors Academy.

The Guy D. Newman Honors Academy: The Program for Civic Leadership and Public Policy is designed for academically gifted students who aspire to leadership roles in a variety of careers. Students develop critical-thinking skills by analyzing current issues through the multidisciplinary Honors Academy major, which includes courses from the School of Humanities and the School of Business.

Swonger learned of HPU through friends who are alumni of the university. She learned about the Guy D. Newman Honors Academy after looking more closely to see what HPU had to offer. Additionally, she was excited about the opportunity to play soccer at the university.

“I chose HPU because of the large-school opportunities within the small-school atmosphere,” said Swonger. “Howard Payne has everything I need to accomplish my goals and I am able to have an extensive and unique education while continuing my soccer career as a Yellow Jacket.”

At HPU, Jessica would like to participate in Moot Court, Model U.N. and other extracurricular activities. She plans to attend law school after graduation and become an international attorney focused on human trafficking.

“We are thrilled to welcome an exceptional new class into HPU’s Guy D. Newman Honors Academy,” said Dr. Matthew McNiece, director of the Honors Academy. “Jessica joins a small cohort of equally dedicated, bright and talented students as they learn to put into practice the Academy’s motto: ‘Facing the Future with Faith and Knowledge.’”

For more information about HPU and the Guy D. Newman Honors Academy, visit www.hputx.edu.