Two University students have been named finalists for the Truman Scholarship, a national award for “college juniors who show leadership potential and have an interest in government or public sector service,” according to The H. Truman Scholarship Foundation’s Web site. John-Michael Early, history and economics junior, and Claire Kendig, biology and international studies junior, were selected as two of the 211 finalists from 139 institutions. Students apply to be selected by the University as nominees for the award. The foundation reviews more than 600 students nominated by their school. This year, the 211 finalists will compete for one of the 60 – 65 scholarships awarded annually. Recipients are eligible for up to $30,000 for graduate school tuition. Since 2003, three University students have been awarded the scholarship. In five of the past six years, at least one University student has been named a finalist. Students applying for the award must author a policy proposal to address a current issue. Early, a New Orleans native, wrote a policy to create a community development authority for New Orleans. The agency would be created by the state to empower the city to oversee its public housing. Early’s plan calls for each public housing entity in the city to provide community development programs, such as after-school programs for young children, to increase security and serve the surrounding community. “This is an opportunity to write a new chapter in public housing in New Orleans,” Early said. “This would be an investment in the children of our city.” Kendig, of Shreveport, wrote a policy to improve the Peace Corps’ global service efforts. Her policy outlines a program to help the Peace Corps evaluate the work they do and find ways to improve their efficiency. Kendig said she plans to pursue both a medical doctorate and a Master of Public Health. She said she hopes to work for Doctors without Boarders, a program aiming to provide health care in countries suffering from war and disaster. “As a doctor, I will be able to treat disease,” Kendig said. “But with a MPH, I can … make more large-scale changes.” As a condition of receiving the scholarship, Truman scholars work in public service for three of seven years following their completion of a graduate degree funded by the scholarship.
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