2004 Scholars Announced

November 16, 2004

2004 Truman Scholars Announced

Dr. Madeleine K. Albright, president of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, announced that 77 students from 67 US colleges and universities have been selected as 2004 Truman Scholars. They were elected by twenty independent selection panels on the basis of leadership potential, intellectual ability, and likelihood of 'making a difference.'

The 77 Scholars were selected from among 609 candidates nominated by 300 colleges and universities. Each selection panel interviewed Finalists from a 3 - 4 state region and generally elected one Scholar from each state and one or two at-large Scholars from the region. Each panel typically included a university president, a federal judge, a distinguished public servant, and a past Truman Scholarship winner.

Each Scholarship provides $26,000--$2,000 for the senior year and $24,000 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. Recipients must be US 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.

The Truman Scholarship Foundation was established by Congress in 1975 as the federal memorial to our thirty-third President. The Foundation awards scholarships for college students to attend graduate school in preparation for careers in government or elsewhere in public service. The activities of the Foundation are supported by a special trust fund in the US Treasury. There have been 2,330 Truman Scholars elected since the first awards were made in 1977.

The 2004 Truman Scholars will assemble May 16 for a week-long leadership development program at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, and receive their awards in a special ceremony at the Truman Library in Independence, Missouri, on May 23, 2004.

Selected statistics on the 2004 Scholars:

• 52% are women

• 22 attend a small college [undergraduate enrollment less than 3000 students]

• 50 attend a large four-year college or university

• 1 represents a two-year institution with about two dozen students

• 4 attend a service academy

• 49 % attend a public institution

• 32 % have an African, Hispanic, Asian, or Native American heritage