STUDENT CLOSE-UP

Distinguished Scholar

By Ann Stratton

As a recently named Truman Scholar, college junior Dylan Sullivan is far more than at the top of his class. The University of Missouri-Columbia junior has distinguished himself as one of the nation’s best and brightest students.

“For undergraduates who dream of a career in public service, receiving a Truman Scholarship is the equivalent of an aspiring athlete making the NCAA tournament,” said Rick Hardy, an MU political science professor and Truman Scholar adviser. “Dylan underwent a rigorous application process and many grueling interviews before earning this honor.”

Last week, the Truman Scholarship Foundation awarded 70 college students the prestigious Truman Scholar title along with a $26,000 scholarship. These scholarships are awarded to college juniors who demonstrate outstanding leadership potential and a commitment to careers in government, advocacy, education or other public sectors. Congress established the foundation in 1975 as a memorial to the nation’s 33rd president and developed the Truman scholarship to financially assist exceptional college students pursuing professional and graduate degrees.

MU’s 2004 Truman Scholar is a native of Bowling Green, Ky. Sullivan, who is majoring in environmental geology and political science, originally had dreams of pursuing a career in journalism. In high school, he was named “Kentucky High School Journalist of the Year.”

In college, his attention turned toward public service. Sullivan advocated for MU to stop buying coffee from companies that use child labor. His efforts led to a partnership with Oxfam America, a non-governmental organization dedicated to finding long-term solutions to poverty, hunger and social injustice. As a city management intern in Ashland, Mo., last year, Sullivan researched, wrote and defended the new storm water and erosion control ordinance.

“I will use the scholarship to get a master’s in urban planning at Harvard, MIT, New York University or the University of Pennsylvania,” Sullivan said. “I wish to work as a city planner for a large American city before entering municipal politics.”

This year, MU chose three Truman Scholar candidates from a pool of 80 potential nominees. Sullivan, along with MU juniors Jason Nonamaker and Kristen Durham, all successfully continued to the final round based on their community service, government involvement, leadership, academic performance, writing and analytical skills, and proposed career in public service.

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Last Update: November 19, 2007