Bard Student Wins Prestigious 2014 Truman Scholarship

ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y.—Former Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright, President of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, announced today that Bard College student and sociology major Karimah Shabazz ’15, from Atlanta, Georgia, has won a prestigious 2014 Truman Scholarship, which awards up to $30,000 for graduate or professional school, and makes available leadership development activity and special opportunities for internships and employment with the federal government.

Out of an initial applicant pool of more than 600 applicants from almost 300 institutions, 204 finalists were chosen for interviews. Only 59 most exceptional students of those finalists were awarded the scholarship. They were chosen on the basis of academic success and leadership accomplishments, as well as their likelihood of becoming public service leaders. Selection panels met across the United States and included distinguished public service leaders, elected officials, university presidents, federal judges, and past Truman Scholarship winners. The 2014 Truman Scholars will assemble on May 22 for a leadership development program at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, and they will receive their awards in a special ceremony at the Truman Library in Independence, Missouri, on May 25.

“Winning the Truman Scholarship is a blessing from God,” says Shabazz. “When you silence the voice of failure, doubt, and fear and maintain an unwavering victorious mindset, you empower yourself.”

After graduating from Bard, Shabazz intends to pursue a master of social work and master of science in education (MSW/MEd) dual degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice and University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education. “I desire a dual degree, because the combination will prepare me for leadership roles in the educational setting, such as personal and administrative roles,” says Shabazz. “With a MSW/MEd, I hope to gain classroom experience and work with at-risk students as a school counselor. After working as a school counselor, I hope to have a leadership role in school administration that will eventually lead to a higher-level administrative position in the school district.”

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. A listing of the new Scholars can be found at the Truman Foundation’s website: www.truman.gov.

About The Truman Scholarship Foundation
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 2,965 Truman Scholars selected since the first awards were made in 1977.

PHOTO AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD AT: www.bard.edu/news/press
CAPTION INFO: Bard College student and sociology major Karimah Shabazz ’15, from Atlanta, Georgia, has won a prestigious 2014 Truman Scholarship.

This event was last updated on 04-16-2014

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