UAMS Presents Marvin Award to Medical Student

By Spencer Watson

(From left) Cleon and Becky Rogers, of Little Rock, stand with their son Nicholas, who received the 2015 Marvin Award from Gwen Childs, Ph.D., chairperson of the UAMS College of Medicine’s Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences.

The Marvin award is presented annually by the UAMS College of Medicine’s Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences to the student who scores the highest on their first attempt at the United States Medical License Exam (USMLE) Step 1, commonly called “the Boards.”

“I thought I did well, but it was kind of a surprise, because my classmates impress me every day with what great students they are,” said Rogers of scoring well enough to earn the award.

Rogers, the son of Cleon and Becky Rogers, is a graduate of Central Arkansas Christian Schools and Harding University. He began undergraduate as a political science major, but, after a general biology class, decided to pursue medicine as “a way to help people and still always be challenging myself.”

The Marvin award, which includes a monetary prize and framed certificate, was established with anonymous donations in 1985, the year Marvin retired after 43 years of service to UAMS. He was course director of Medical Microscopic Anatomy and was chair of the Department of Anatomy from 1958-1967, after which he served as associate dean for Academic Affairs. He was also an avid naturalist who loved the beauty of Arkansas.

Rogers shakes hands with Childs after receiving the Marvin award as Bob Burns, Ph.D., explained its history. Behind them stands the bust of Horace N. Marvin, namesake of the award.

“If there is an award to earn in the College of Medicine, this is it,” said Bob Burns, a professor in Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences, as he presented Rogers with his certificate. “Congratulations, Nick.”