KU News Release

Two KU students advance in national Truman scholarship competition

Julia Michaela Johanna Groeblacher

LAWRENCE — University of Kansas students from McPherson and Wichita have advanced to the final round of competition for the 2009 Harry S. Truman Scholarships. The national scholarships provide up to $30,000 for college students preparing for leadership in public service.

The KU finalists are:

— Julia Michaela Johanna Groeblacher, a senior from McPherson. Groeblacher is majoring in economics and political science and planning a career in international affairs serving in the Middle East and in North Africa. She is the daughter of Johann and Michaela Groeblacher and is a graduate of McPherson High School.

— Margaret A. Tran, a junior from Derby. Tran is majoring in environmental studies and economics to prepare for a public service career promoting environmental sustainability. She is the daughter of Chinh and Lan Tran and a graduate of Derby High School.

About 75 scholarship winners will be announced March 26 by the Truman Foundation in Washington, D.C.

Margaret A. Tran

Groeblacher and Tran are among about 200 finalists selected from more than 600 applicants nominated by their universities. Groeblacher is studying abroad in Egypt this semester and plans to fly home for the regional interviews March 2 in Kansas City.

Finalists from Kansas, Arkansas, Iowa and Missouri will be interviewed Friday, March 2, by a panel of former Truman scholars in Kansas City, Mo. Regional panels will conduct interviews throughout the United States from March 2 to 20.

Truman scholars are chosen on the basis of leadership potential, intellectual ability and the likelihood of “making a difference.” Truman scholars must work in public service for three years following completion of a foundation-funded graduate degree program as a condition of receiving Truman funds.

Since 1981, 16 KU students have become Truman scholars. The Truman Scholarship Foundation was established by Congress in 1975 and made its first scholarship awards in 1977.

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