Kellie Moss was called into the president's office but didn't know why. OU President David L. Boren's smile gave away the news.
Boren told Moss she had been named a Truman Scholar, an honor that has not be given to an OU student in 12 years, said Melanie Wright, director for Honors curriculum.
The award offers students with a commitment to public service a $3,000 scholarship for their senior year and $27,000 for graduate study.
"I've always had a passion for public service, and I knew at a very young age that I would go into public service," said Moss, international and area studies and letters junior. "I always knew about the Truman because I was interested in higher education."
The scholarship will provide Moss with an internship with the federal government during the summer after her senior year and a Truman Scholars Leadership Week, which begins May 18.
"We're extremely proud to be among the small number of institutions nationwide to have a Truman Scholar," Boren said.
Moss received the honor through an intense application and interview process which chose 76 scholars from 635 candidates nominated by their universities. The scholars were announced by Madeleine K. Albright, president of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, who will also be visiting campus Wednesday.
Moss plans to enter a career in international affairs and nonprofit organizations. Her policy proposal for the Truman Scholarship focused on how community organizations can better fight HIV/AIDS in Africa and how the U.S. government should support better coordination of efforts between international organizations and community organizations in Africa.
Moss plans to attend graduate school in international affairs and obtain her juris doctorate.
Moss said students should start considering the application process early.
"It pushes you to think about the future, not only what you want to do, but what you need to do to achieve your goals," Moss said.
Moss prepared for the interview process by mock interviews and by asking professors in her field, such as Ambassador Edward Perkins, to ask her questions.
"We think that is what pushed her to the top because she talked to so many people, asked questions and re-wrote the drafts of her essay many times," said Karen LeVan, fellowship adviser.
The students were elected by 20 independent selection panels on the basis of leadership potential, intellectual ability and likelihood of "making a difference."
Last summer, Moss interned as a Ewing Fellow in former U.S. Rep. J.C. Watts' office, and she serves as president of Classics and Letters Society and vice president of the Honors Student Association. She will be organizing Campus Compact, a national initiative to get students involved in civic affairs, in April and will travel to China in the summer.
hello there & you too