Two University of New Mexico students are among a select group receiving the nation's most prestigious scholarships, UNM President Louis Caldera announced today.
Jesse E. French, a UNM undergraduate on National Student Exchange at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, has been named a 2005 Truman Scholar.
French, a junior majoring in economics and political science, is among 75 recipients from 65 U.S. colleges and universities.
A second UNM junior, Frank Hemingway, has been selected as a 2005 Goldwater Scholar. He is among 320 recipients in the U.S. who will be juniors or seniors during the 2005-2006 academic year.
“We are delighted that Jesse French and Frank Hemingway have been named Truman and Goldwater scholars, respectively,” said Caldera. “These prestigious awards recognize the high caliber of students who attend UNM and the exceptional education they receive from our world-class faculty. This is the sixth Truman and seventh Goldwater to be awarded UNM students since 1998. In that short time UNM students have also won two Rhodes scholarships and two Marshall scholarships.”
Students are elected for the Truman by 19 independent selection panels on the basis of leadership potential, intellectual ability and likelihood that they will make a difference.
French is on exchange with the U of M for the 2004-05 academic year. His scholarship application emphasizes an interest in addressing the cultural, socioeconomic and political causes contributing to poverty. French's related policy proposal focuses on creating a new kind of homeless shelter in Albuquerque to effect a long-term decline in the city's panhandling population.
“Studying at U-Mass Amherst this year has contributed greatly to my academic and personal development,” French observed. “I have been exposed to new ideas and a rich culture, and the personal guidance provided by U-Mass faculty and staff was invaluable as I prepared my application. The entire process helped me examine who I am, what I stand for, and what I want to accomplish.”
French plans to use his scholarship to pursue a Ph.D. in economics, studying neo-classical theory regarding price, money and income. In addition, he would like to study political economy theories on exploitation. He gained hands-on experience in national politics interning in the Washington, D.C., office of U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman.
Each Truman Scholarship provides $30,000 for graduate study. Scholars also receive priority admission and supplemental financial aid at some premier graduate institutions, leadership training, career and graduate school counseling, and special internship opportunities within the federal government. Congress established the Truman Scholarship Foundation in 1975 as the federal memorial to the 33rd U.S. president.
“To become a Truman Scholar is an extraordinary achievement, and Jesse is a most deserving recipient,” said Susan Krauss Whitbourne, who directs the Office of National Scholarship Advisement, which assisted French in preparing his application.
The 2005 Truman Scholars will assemble May 15 for a weeklong leadership development program at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, and receive their awards in a ceremony at the Truman Library in Independence, Missouri, on May 22.
The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarships were established by Congress in 1986 to foster and encourage excellence in science and mathematics. Goldwater scholars were selected from a field of 1,091 mathematics, science and engineering students who were nominated by the faculties of colleges and universities nationwide. Awards are made on the basis of merit. The scholarships cover the cost of tuition, fees, books and room and board up to $7,500 per year.
“A lot of weight is placed on research experience so by winning the scholarship I hope to bring well deserved attention to the quality of research at UNM, including the opportunities for undergraduates to conduct research,” Hemingway said.
Hemingway is an electrical engineering major and regents' scholar from Las Cruces. He is also a member of the UNM track and cross-country teams. He plans to pursue an MBA at UNM's ASM and later a Ph.D. in electrical engineering.
Past UNM recipients of the Truman Scholarship include: Sean Murray, 2004; Elizabeth Peck, 2003; John Probasco, 2001; Juana Chamiza Atencio-Pacheco, 1999; and Manuel Montoya and Fred Melendres, 1998. Montoya and Probasco were named Rhodes Scholars in 1999 and 2001, respectively.
Louis Metzger is the most recent Goldwater recipient from UNM, having earned the scholarship in 2003.
Contact: Laurie Mellas-Ramirez, (505) 277-5915
Posted by scarr at March 31, 2005 05:20 PM