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UW earns large foundation’s nod

The University of Wisconsin was nominated as one of the Truman Foundation's four honor institutions Monday for the university's commitment to leadership and education in public service.

The nomination comes on the heels of two scholarships awarded to UW seniors last spring, a "highly unusual and remarkable success rate," according to Frederick Slabach, the foundation's executive secretary.

"[The honors are for schools] who have been outstanding in the past for exemplary participation in active encouragement of outstanding young people to pursue careers in public service," Truman Foundation program manager Anjali Garg said.

The Truman Foundation awarded UW seniors Max Bruner and Adam Schmidt each $30,000 scholarships for public service to be used for graduate school, part of the foundation's 65 scholarships this year.

Michigan State University, the University of Alabama and the University of Georgia were also nominated honor institutions.

"We clearly get the sense from everything we know about the University of Wisconsin that there is a culture on campus that values public service, and the university has encouraged individuals with an interest to pursue it," Slabach said in a statement.

According to Julie Stubbs, director of the UW undergraduate academic awards office, the scholarship requirements included a minimum 3.5 grade point average and exceptional service experience. The service portion of the requirements, Stubbs said, included service to campus, community and also government and political campaigns.

Schmidt said there is something to be said for the kind of students that attend UW.

"You don't need to carry a sign and bullhorn up to Bascom Hill, but people here, they care about each other, about the community, and the university fosters that kind of environment, as well," Schmidt said.

According to Garg, scholars must stay in public service for three out of the seven years following their graduate studies.

The Truman Foundation also assists students with the graduate school application process, as well as finding internships and leadership programs.

"It's not just the money. There are other resources that come with that scholarship," Tubbs said.

To be considered for the scholarship, Stubbs said, UW students must fill out a campus application by Nov. 19. A faculty committee then nominates up to four students to compete nationally.