Two Princeton juniors win Truman Scholarships

Two Princeton juniors have been named 2002 Truman Scholars by the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation.

Rebecca Gifford and Daniel Pastor are among 64 students from 54 U.S. colleges and universities selected this year. The award recognizes their leadership potential, intellectual ability and likelihood of "making a difference."

Each scholarship provides $30,000 -- $3,000 for the senior year and $27,000 for graduate school in preparation for a career in government or elsewhere in public service. Scholars also receive priority admission and supplemental financial aid at some premier graduate institutions, leadership training, career and graduate school counseling and special internship opportunities within the federal government.

Gifford is majoring in the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. She intends to pursue a joint graduate degree program in law and public policy, focusing on issues of education, health and labor in urban areas. Eventually, she hopes to work on education and social policy reform in a school, nonprofit organization or government agency.

Pastor is majoring in politics with a certificate in Latin American studies. He plans to earn a master of public affairs in international relations at a Latin American university. He also intends to earn a doctoral degree in political science, focusing on the 20th-century economic and political history of Latin America and U.S. involvement in its affairs. Ultimately, he hopes to pursue a career with the State Department in the foreign service.

This year's Truman Scholars were chosen from among 590 candidates nominated by 287 U.S. colleges and universities. They will assemble May 19 for a week-long leadership development program at William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo., and will receive their awards in a ceremony at the Truman Library in Independence, Mo., on May 26.

Read the full story in the news release.

Contact: Marilyn Marks (609) 258-3601