Jason Blankenship, associate director and academic advisor for the Fulbright Honors College, spent his last day with the Honors College on Friday, Nov. 4. Blankenship will now be working in the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards.

His new job will consist of assisting students in applying for scholarships and awards such as Rhodes, Marshall, Truman, Goldwater, Udall and more, according to an email Blankenship sent to Fulbright Honors students.

Blankenship won the University of Arkansas Outstanding Advisor award for Outstanding Professional Advisor in the 2010-2011 school year due to “overwhelming evidence of qualities and practices that distinguished them as outstanding advisors,” according to University Relations.

Many of the four-year honor students advised by Blankenship said they were sorry to see him leave the honors college.

“I’m super disappointed,” said sophomore Shannon Harris, international relations and Spanish major and four-year honor student. “This semester was actually the only semester I worked with him, but he definitely went above and beyond just picking classes,” she said.

“He advised me on my study abroad program and possible internships. He’s definitely one of the most knowledgeable people I’ve talked to at the University,” Harris said.

Grant Bodiford, a freshman honor student majoring in political science and pre-law, said Blankenship was a helpful advisor.

“It was a struggle to get advised because he was so busy. I tried for approximately a month,” Bodiford said. “I’m sad that will be the only time I will ever be advised by Blankenship. He seemed really knowledgeable and dedicated to his job. He came off as very dedicated to the students, too.”

To express their gratitude, students Suzanne Schenewerk and Emily Chase began a Facebook group dedicated to sending thank-you notes to Blakenship.

“For years he has answered our panicked emails, told us things we probably could have figured out if we looked them up on ISIS, told us things ISIS refused to tell us, listened to us complain about our classes and our majors and our requirements, given sensible advice, and worn really, really nice outfits,” Schenewerk said.

Some students said they were wary of possible changes in the honors program in Blankenship’s absence.

“I think the program is definitely going to change without him. I’m not sure to what extent though,” Harris said.

Future honor students may be missing out on the personal advising relationship Blankenship provided, Harris said.

Some students think the Honors Advising team will suffer from Blankenship’s departure.

“It seems like there already needs to be more faculty advising in the Honors College,” Bodiford said, “The Honors program will have lost a great advisor, and hopefully he is replaced by someone as professional and as caring and intelligent as he is.”

“I’m happy for him if he’s going to a better job,” Harris said. “But I’m really disappointed I won’t get to work with him again.”