Eleven students from the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith have scored in the top 10 percent in the nation in a national exam which shows UA Fort Smith in the top 25 percent in the nation among over 600 participating institutions.

The UA Fort Smith students scoring in the top 10 percent will receive special recognition by the university, according to Dr. Steve Williams, dean of the College of Business.

“We are implementing the Top Ten Percent Award this year,” said Williams, “presented to our seniors who scored in the 90th percentile when compared to the best programs throughout the country.”

The students will receive award certificates and their names will be mounted on a wall display in the College of Business.

Senior accounting, business administration and marketing majors at UA Fort Smith took the Major Field Test during the 2009-10 academic year. It is administered by Educational Testing Service and is given to approximately 133,000 business students.

The five students from fall 2009 and the six from spring 2010 who scored in the top 10 in the nation are:

Alma: Matthew Belk, business administration, spring 2010.

Barling: Kayla Taylor, marketing, fall 2009.

Fort Smith: Brice Jones, marketing, fall 2009; and Lauren Pendleton, accounting/business administration, spring 2010.

Greenwood: Travis Bolton, accounting/business administration, fall 2009; and Samuel T. Bobbitt, accounting, spring 2010.

Roland: Robert Jetton, accounting, fall 2009.

Russellville: Andrew Cunningham, business administration, spring 2010.

South Perth, Australia: Yenny Ongko, accounting, spring 2010.

Van Buren: Blake Barton, accounting, fall 2009; and Stephanie Shelton, business administration, spring 2010.

Williams said he believes the test is an important indicator of the quality of education students receive at UA Fort Smith.

“Ranking in the top 10 percent confirms the quality of our students, our faculty and our curriculum — the three key ingredients of a superior undergraduate program,” said Williams. “Employers can have confidence that our graduates are prepared to be immediate contributors. The educational approach taken in the College of Business rests upon a foundation of proven competencies in business, leadership and communication.”

The Major Field Test is required for all seniors majoring in business. The test is administered at business schools nationally to measure student mastery of key concepts and principles as well as knowledge expected of students at the conclusion of their majors. The test is designed by ETS, the same company that creates SAT, GRE and AP exams.

UA Fort Smith students have placed in the top 25 percent or better on the Major Field Test every year since 2005, the first year UA Fort Smith granted baccalaureate degrees in business.