For the second time in school history, a Ball State student was named as a Truman Scholar, one of the most competitive and prestigious scholarships in the nation.
Junior political science major Megan Whitacre was selected as one of this year's 60 Truman Scholars out of 602 nominees from around the nation. The scholarship will provide her with up to $30,000 for graduate school and various other opportunities, including leadership development and fellowship opportunities.
Whitacre was the only Truman Scholar from Indiana.
The application process began in November, requiring applicants to write seven short essays, complete a 500-word policy proposal and interview with a regional review committee.
Whitacre said she had been aware of the scholarship since freshman year and was reminded last year when she started the Oxfam America chapter at Ball State.
"The application process was grueling and took a lot of research to complete," she said. "I probably did more for the application than I did for all of my other classes combined."
The last time a Ball State student was named a Truman Scholar was when Eric Farnsworth received the award in 1987. After serving the Clinton administration, Farnsworth is now vice president of the Council of the Americas.
Whitacre and Farnsworth were able to get in contact through email, but it was the same week President Barack Obama was headed to South America, so Farnsworth was busy with preparations.
Barb Stedman, Honors Fellow and director of national and international scholarship, worked closely with Whitacre during the application process.
"Megan is an amazing young woman who has the ability to translate deep convictions into effective action," Stedman said. "She is truly the kind of ‘change agent' that the Truman Foundation seeks in its Scholars.
After completing her degree at Ball State next year, Whitacre hopes to volunteer in sub-Saharan Africa to obtain practical experience before she attends graduate school on scholarship.
Whitacre learned she received the award when Ball State President Jo Ann Gora called to congratulate her. The first person she told was the first person that walked in front of her, although she then ran to the Honors College to call her mother.
"I still can't believe it. It won't be real until I start applying for graduate schools," Whitacre said. "I'm still the same person, though. Just because I received the award doesn't mean I'm suddenly a genius."
Whitacre will attend a leadership development program at William Jewell College on May 17 and will receive her award in a special ceremony at the Truman Library on May 22.
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