2 Lyon College students have received national recognition from Alpha Lambda Delta international honor society for academic achievement, leadership and service.
Brooklyn Penn, a biology major from Smithville, received a $1,000 Jo Anne J. Trow Undergraduate Scholarship for the 2026-27 academic year.
Suzanna Bates of Batesville, a 2026 Lyon College graduate, received a $2,000 Dr. Margaret Cuninggim Graduate Fellowship.
Dr. Wu Qu, assistant professor of history and adviser for Lyon College’s Alpha Lambda Delta chapter, said the college is proud of both students and the accomplishments they have achieved through hard work, leadership and service.
“These awards recognize not only their academic success but also their commitment to serving others and making a difference in their communities,” Qu said.
Penn serves as a supplemental instructor for Spanish, participates in chemistry pharmaceutical research and is an Honors Fellow who mentors incoming freshmen.
Penn said Alpha Lambda Delta has provided her with a community both at Lyon College and nationally, while also creating opportunities to serve her town and surrounding communities.
The Jo Anne J. Trow Undergraduate Scholarships are awarded annually to Alpha Lambda Delta members from an international pool of applicants.
A total of 50 scholarships are awarded each year, ranging from $1,000 to $6,000.
Selection is based on academic achievement, including maintaining at least a 3.5 grade-point average, participation in Alpha Lambda Delta activities, campus and community service and responses to essay questions.
The scholarship was established in 1988 in honor of Jo Anne J. Trow, a former vice president for student services at Oregon State University and former Alpha Lambda Delta president.
Bates was inducted into Alpha Lambda Delta in 2023 and studied psychology and Spanish at Lyon College.
She also served as vice president of Lyon’s Alpha Lambda Delta chapter before graduating in 2026.
Bates plans to pursue a master’s degree in social work at Arkansas State University.
While at Lyon, Bates volunteered with the Ozark Foothills Literacy Program as an English as a second language instructor, interned with Evolve Therapy Solutions and served as president of the Spanish Club for 4 years.
Bates said her long-term goal is to eventually own a practice offering individual therapy. After completing her master’s degree, she plans to work in social work, specifically within the medical field.
Alpha Lambda Delta awards 29 graduate fellowships annually to members selected from an international pool of applicants.
The fellowship awards range from $2,000 to $7,000 and are designed to help offset the cost of graduate or professional studies.
The Dr. Margaret Cuninggim Graduate Fellowship honors Cuninggim, who was active in Alpha Lambda Delta beginning in 1972 and later served as a district adviser, editor of The Flame and archivist. She also served as dean of student services at Vanderbilt University.
Founded in 1924, Alpha Lambda Delta recognizes students for academic success during their 1st year of college.
The organization has more than 1.4 million lifetime members, more than 400 chapters and inducts approximately 22,000 members each year.
Lyon College, founded in 1872, is a private liberal arts institution in Batesville and is the oldest college in Arkansas operating under its original charter.
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