VERMILLION – The University of South Dakota has proven itself to be a strong competitor in producing national scholarship recipients. The state’s flagship university recently had four students selected as finalists for the highly competitive Harry S. Truman Scholarship – a distinction that only two other universities in the entire nation can claim.

USD is also the only university in South Dakota to have any Truman Scholarship finalists.

“To have four students selected as Truman Scholarship finalists is a testament to the type of students you will find at USD. They are leaders on campus today, preparing to be the leaders of tomorrow,” said USD President Sheila K. Gestring. “They are dedicated to serving their communities – from their hometown to their home away from home in Vermillion and across the nation. I am so proud of these students for being named finalists for the Truman Scholarship.”

The four students – Caleb Swanson, Caleb Weiland, Nicholas Kennedy and Carter Linke – were selected as finalists for the Truman Scholarship for their leadership qualities and dedication to public service. The Truman Scholarship is a merit-based award of up to $30,000 offered to students who wish to go to graduate school in preparation for a career in government, the non-profit sector or elsewhere in public service. 

Swanson, Weiland, Kennedy and Linke are among only 199 students from over 700 applicants chosen as finalists.

“It’s pretty rare for a school to have all of its Truman Scholarship applicants named as finalists,” said Melissa Berninger, coordinator of Nationally Competitive Scholarships at USD. “Not only is this a recognition of the amazing work these students have done in their three years at USD, but also of the opportunities USD provides for students in setting them up for success.”

…Read on in this week’s issue of the Sanborn Weekly Journal!