Honors student Gretchen Harting (center) was
surprised in class last week
with the news that she
was named a Truman Scholar. Bringing the good
news
were (left) Ann Eisenberg, associate dean of
the Honors College, and Rosalie
Ambrosino, vice
president for student affairs.
Honors student is first at UTSA to be named Truman Scholar
(April 10, 2002)--University of Texas at San Antonio honors student Gretchen Harting has been named a 2002 Truman Scholar by the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation in Washington, D.C. The first UTSA student to receive the honor, Harting is one of 80 students from over 50 U.S. colleges and universities to be selected this year.
The scholars were chosen from more than 600 candidates nominated by 300 colleges and universities. Each scholarship provides $30,000, with $3,000 for the senior year and $27,000 for graduate study. Recipients are picked on the basis of leadership potential, intellectual ability and likelihood of "making a difference."
"This is a great honor for both Gretchen and UTSA," said Ricardo Romo, UTSA president. "As the university moves toward a higher level of excellence, we hope to see additional students follow in her footsteps."
Harting said, "I want to thank Associate Dean Ann Eisenberg and Professor Richard Gambitta for their tremendous efforts over these many months. I am touched by everyone's support, encouragement and belief in my success, and without their efforts, this would not have been possible."
Eisenberg, who is associate dean of the Honors College, said she had been working toward the goal of seeing UTSA attain its first Truman Scholar for the past eight years.
"I needed a student like Gretchen--brilliant and committed to public service--for us to win," said Eisenberg. "My role was to make her aware of the scholarship, help her believe she could be a Truman Scholar, assist in writing and rewriting the lengthy application and then help her prepare for a tough interview."
A junior political science major from Ritzville, Wash., Harting has a perfect 4.0 GPA. The daughter of William and Carol Harting, she plans to pursue a career in public policy with an emphasis in mental health policy. She is a member of the Texas Association for the Mentally Ill and has lobbied the Texas Legislature to affect legislation for the care of the mentally ill. Harting is also active in a program that helps mentally ill people register to vote.
The mission of the Truman Scholarship Foundation is to recognize college juniors with exceptional leadership potential who are committed to careers in government, the non-profit or advocacy sectors, education or other public service, and to provide them with financial support for graduate study, leadership training and fellowship with other students committed to public service.
Scholarship selection panels interview finalists from a three- or four-state region, generally naming one scholar per state and up to two at-large, regional scholars.
Truman Scholars 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. Recipients must be U.S. citizens, have outstanding leadership potential and communication skills, be in the top quarter of their class and be committed to careers in government or the not-for-profit sector.
Congress established the Truman Scholarship Foundation in 1975 as the federal memorial to Harry S. Truman, the thirty-third president. The foundation awards scholarships for students to attend graduate school in preparation for careers in government or other public service. The activities of the foundation are supported by a special trust fund in the U.S. Treasury.
The foundation has selected 2,163 scholars since the awards began in 1977. The 2002 Truman Scholars will assemble May 19 for a weeklong leadership development program at William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo., and receive their awards in a May 26 ceremony at the Truman Library in Independence, Mo.
Visit the Harry S. Truman Scholarship
Foundation Web site.
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TODAY'S HEADLINES:
'Fiesta
Under the Stars' offers an evening of Gershwin music
ITC
presents annual Bowie Steet Blues concert April 28
UTSA
community invited to student services planning broadcast
Institute
of Texan Cultures photo exhibit celebrates human spirit
UTSA
exhibits SPUD-mobile at John Jay High School April 24
UTSA
rewards service with University Life Awards
Honors student is first at UTSA to be named Truman Scholar
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© The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2002