2012 Truman Scholars Announced

Former Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright, President of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, announced today the names of 54 exceptional college juniors from 48 U.S. colleges and universities who have been selected as 2012 Truman Scholars.

The 54 new Truman Scholars were selected from among 587 candidates nominated by 292 colleges and universities. They were chosen by sixteen independent selection panels on the basis of their academic and leadership accomplishments and their likelihood of becoming public service leaders. Selection panels included distinguished leaders, included university presidents, elected officials, federal judges, prominent public servants, and past Truman Scholarship winners. A listing of the new Scholars can be found at the Truman Foundation’s website: http://www.truman.gov.

Each new Truman Scholar receives up to $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. 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 non-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 2,844 Truman Scholars selected since the first awards were made in 1977. The 2012 Truman Scholars will assemble May 22 for a 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 27, 2012.

Selected statistics on the 2012 Scholars:

• 2 institutions have Truman Scholars for the first time;
• 6 institutions have multiple Truman Scholars;
• 22 Scholars attend public universities;
• 18 Scholars attend private research universities
• 11 Scholars attend private liberal arts colleges;
• 3 Scholars attend military academies