Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Second Scholarship Set Up By Ouachita For Crash Victoms

The Rachel Fuller Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established at Ouachita Baptist University in honor of the youngest victim of the crash of American Airlines flight 1420 in Little Rock.

The estate of Robert G. Ferguson of Mountain Home provided $100,000 to establish the fund. Aadditional contributions already have been received, according to Dr. Andrew Westmoreland, president of Ouachita.

"Although she was only 14, Rachel was a skilled musician, and we're pleased to establish music scholarships in her name," said Westmoreland. "We've received correspondence from all over the world expressing love and support for the Fullers, as well as interest in helping with this fund. Through these scholarships, Rachel's name always will be associated with music at Ouachita."

Earlier this month, Ouachita established the James Arvin Harrison Memorial Scholarship Fund in honor of the church music major who died at the scene of the crash. It also will fund music scholarships and was begun with a gift from the Ferguson estate, Joe Franz, vice president for development at Ouachita, said.

"Mr. Ferguson had a strong belief in the quality and mission of the academic program in music at Ouachita," Franz said. "Those overseeing his estate felt that these scholarship funds would be the perfect way to express his admiration for the program and for the quality of the young people involved."

Rachel Fuller died at Arkansas Children's Hospital on June 16 from injuries suffered in the June 1 crash at Little Rock National Airport, Adams Field. She was the daughter of Dr. Charles Fuller and Cindy Fuller, both members of the music faculty at Ouachita. Dr. Fuller is the director of the Ouachita Singers, a group which had toured Germany and Austria and was returning home when the crash occurred.

Rachel Fuller played oboe and was drum major for the marching band at L.M. Goza Junior High School in Arkadelphia.

She was a straight A student, secretary of the student council and a member of the All- Region Band and National Junior Honor Society. Rachel also competed in several sports, including softball, volleyball and junior high and AAU basketball.

Rachel was a member of First Baptist Church of Arkadelphia, where she was active in the church orchestra, the youth council, the youth choir, the youth drama team, ACTEENS mission support group and as a volunteer in the nursery.

Contributions to the Rachel Fuller Memorial Scholarship Fund may be sent to P.O. Box 3754, Arkadelphia, AR 71998. Franz may be reached at 870-245-5169.