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Student
named Truman scholar
Lauren
Caldwell’s biology class last month was full of surprises.
First there was the news that the 21-year-old UM student had been
named the recipient of a prestigious Truman Scholarship. Then there
was the messenger — UM President George Dennison — who
arrived in Caldwell’s early morning biology class to present
her with a dozen roses.
“I don’t know if I was more surprised about winning the
Truman or having President Dennison show up in my biology class,”
said Caldwell, a junior in biology from Fort Wayne, Ind.
From Dennison’s perspective, delivering the roses was the least
he could do to honor one of only 60 Truman scholarship recipients
in the nation.
“This is a wonderful recognition of the accomplishments of this
young lady,” Dennison said. “We’re extremely proud
of her.”
Winners of the Truman Scholarship receive $2,000 to complete undergraduate
studies and $24,000 to attend graduate school. Truman awards are presented
each year to outstanding college juniors who demonstrate exceptional
leadership skills and are committed to careers in public service.
“It’s one of the largest and most prestigious scholarships
available,” said Sean O’Brien, UM’s external scholarship
coordinator.
The last UM student to win a Truman Scholarship was Jon Swan, two
years ago. Before that, O’Brien said, it had been 15 years since
a UM student was selected for a Truman Scholarship.
“To win something like this means she’s not only one of
the best students in the country, but that she has also demonstrated
her social commitment,” O’Brien said.
O’Brien called Caldwell a “thoroughly dedicated environmentalist.”
“She lives by the principles she holds,” O’Brien
said. “She doesn’t drive a car and she’s a person
whose whole life is geared around the environment.”
Caldwell, who carries a 3.84 grade point average, said she began the
Truman application process in October. In early March, she was named
one of 200 finalists and flew to Cincinnati for an interview.
She decided to apply for the scholarship after reading about the Truman
program in a brochure.
“It felt like what I was looking for,” Caldwell said.
“I thought this is really who I am.”
During her interview, Caldwell said she stressed her commitment to
the environment — something she believes separated her from
students from other top colleges.
“I think I was surprised to find out that I was the only person
in my region talking about the environment,” Caldwell said.
After completing her senior year at UM, Caldwell said she will probably
take a couple years off from school and serve in the Peace Corps before
choosing a graduate school.
Following college, Caldwell said she will most likely return to the
Midwest and work in the environmental field.
“I think it’s important because in the West, there’s
an environmental framework.” Caldwell said. “But in the
Midwest, there isn’t anything like that. There’s no real
environmental community.”
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