Third-year College student Xiao Wang recently gained a head start in his efforts to follow Thomas Jefferson's footsteps into a career of public service: He was awarded a Truman Scholarship.
The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation awards $30,000 scholarships to 65 undergraduate juniors who have an interest in pursuing a career in public service, according to Anjali Garg, program manager for the Truman Scholarship Foundation.
Created in 1977 in memory of the 33rd president of the United States, Harry S. Truman, the Truman Foundation conducts a nationwide competition to select scholars who have "a propensity to be a change agent," Garg said. "Our goals are to create the next generation of public service leaders."
Schools across the nation are permitted to nominate four candidates each, making the application process rigorous, Garg said.
One student from every state is chosen to receive the scholarship, though some states are represented by more than one student, Garg said. This year 65 winners were chosen from a pool of nearly 600 applicants.
"The Truman Foundation looks for students who are leaders and will work to bring about positive change in the world," said Lucy Russell, director of the University's Center for Undergraduate Excellence. "Xiao truly fits the bill."
Wang, who is enrolled in the University's five-year public policy masters program, said heplans to use the scholarship money to help fund additional academic pursuits, including law school. He noted that the scholarship is given with the expectation that the recipient will work in the public service sector for three of his first seven working years.
"Ideally I would like to work for an international organization like the United Nations or the World Bank," Wang said.
Wang's interest in public policy stems from his status as an immigrant to the United States from China, he said, speculating that a standout characteristic of his application was his desire for a career in international development and the politics of developing countries.
"I think, when it boils down, public service is about helping people," Wang said. "Being an immigrant coming from a developing country, I know firsthand what public policy can do and I would like to be part of the process."
Asst. Economics Prof. Mary Stegmaier, who was Wang's mentor for a Harrison Undergraduate Research Award, said Wang's interest in public policy and law will enable him to be a positive force in society.
"He is concerned not just for his own welfare but for the welfare of society," Stegmaier said, noting Wang is "very passionate about public policy" and has a strong interest in international economic development.
Stegmaier added that the honor will help more than just its recipient.
"This is great exposure for the University as well as for the public policy program, [as Wang] is in their first class in public policy," Stegmaier said.
Wang, who is a Jefferson Scholar, an Echols Scholar, a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honors organization and works with Miller Center as public service fellow, encouraged other University students to apply for this distinguished scholarship.
"A lot of U.Va. students are qualified, but not enough people apply in the first place," Wang said. "I would love to see people contact professors and talk about applying -- it would do good for the University and the student"
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