in the news
Jun 13, 2011
Gomez: "When Hero Rings Hollow"
Don Gomez (NY '09) authored a commentary piece, "When Hero Rings Hollow," published in The New York Times.
May 18, 2011
Eric Greitens (MO '95) Interviewed on Colbert Report
Eric Greitens (MO '95), a Navy SEAL who recently authored the book The Heart and the Fist, was interviewed on Comedy Central's The Colbert Report.
Apr 27, 2011
Andrew Quoted in New York Times
Seth Andrew (RI '99), founder of three Democracy Prep charter schools, was quoted in the New York Times article, "Charter School Space: Free of Rent, Maybe, But Not of Hurdles."
Apr 09, 2011
Andrew: A New Approach to Holding Charter Schools Accountable
Seth Andrew (RI '99) wrote a piece published by The Huffington Post: "A New Approach to Holding Charter Schools Accountable."
Apr 07, 2011
Zimmerman Elected as St. Louis County Assessor
State Representative Jake Zimmerman (MO' 95) was elected St. Louis County Assessor in the first election for that position in 51 years.
Apr 02, 2011
Media Clips: 2011 Truman Scholars, From Coast to Coast
The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation recently announced the selection of the 2011 Truman Scholars. The 60 Scholars were selected from among 602 candidates nominated by 264 colleges and universities. Read the full release.
Media from across the country, ranging from The New York Times to college publications, have announced the selections. A sampling headlines appear below:
2 College Students Are Named Truman Scholars, The New York Times
Boston College junior wins Truman Award; 7th to do so in BC history, The Boston Globe
Williams College junior awarded the prestigious Truman Scholarship, iBerkshires
Streak: Another University of Utah student wins prestigious Truman scholarship, Salt Lake Tribune
Student wins Truman Scholarship while clearing life's hurdles, WDAM-TV
UNL Student Wins Truman Scholarship, Lincoln Journal-Star
UAB junior Kimberly Everett wins Truman Scholarship, UAB News
BC Junior Aditya Ashok Named Truman Scholar, Boston College News
Corey Metzman of Penn Named a 2011 Truman Scholar, Penn News
Senior From Junction City Is K-State's 33rd Truman Scholar, KSAL News
Campus activist wins $30K Truman Scholarship, ASU News
Hendrix Junior Named Truman Scholar, Hendrix College
Stony Brook Student Named Truman Scholar, Newsday
EKU Student Honored, Richmond Register
Mar 15, 2011
Compton Featured in Segment About Non-Traditional Students
By Cara Vallente-Compton (NM '10)
I am a senior at the University of New Mexico, graduating in May. Last spring I was honored to be selected as one of two Truman Scholars from the great state of New Mexico. As a non-traditional student I have been very active on the UNM campus in reaching out to other older students and raising awareness of the special needs and talents of this increasing population of students. In the fall I represented the Association of Non-Traditional Students, as Vice-President of the organization, as a candidate for Homecoming Queen. Last week the administration's PR department asked me if I would be willing to be interviewed by KOAT for a segment they were doing about non-traditional students, and of course I said yes.
I am 42, happily married to Charles Compton, the love of my life. We have four small children at home, and I am the birth mother of a wonderful young man in New York who is a junior at SUNY Albany. I am planning to attend UNM School of Law in the fall.
Watch the full video online: http://www.koat.com/video/27194996/detail.html
Mar 04, 2011
Gupta Featured in Nashville Scene's 2011 People Issue
Ravi Gupta (NY '04), Founding Director of Nashville Prep Charter School, was featured in the Nashville Scene's 2011 People Issue.
Excerpt:
"For Gupta, the thrill of education reform is not unlike the thrill of the campaign. He canvasses North Nashville neighborhoods and strategizes their efforts with the fervor of an activist — one who took Obama's message to build more and better schools to heart.
"If this were a sporting contest, you'd think that we were losing," Gupta says of the state of education. Though he chose social entrepreneurialism over law, his background certainly helps.
"Law is about the ability to frame an argument," he says. "Because at the end of the day, a charter school is really an argument — to the city, to the parents, to the people who fund the school. Right now, our school system is antiquated and based off a lot of old assumptions. Kids used to have to go home and farm, and we're not doing that as much anymore, especially in urban areas. So we can afford to spend a little longer now and catch our kids up on some key skills."
Key Among "America's Most Daring Young Black Activists"
Kendra Key (AL '09) was named one of "America's Most Daring Young Black Activists" by Campus Progress:
"A 2010 graduate of the University of Alabama, Kendra Key, ran for student body president, a position that has long been held by a white student. Though Key narrowly lost the race, she brought attention to black representation in student government at her school. Key was also awarded a Truman Scholarship and now works in Washington, D.C. for Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Ala.)."
Mar 01, 2011
Scholar a Trailblazer in the Evolution of College Prep
by James Gibson (AL '02)
Birmingham, Alabama is the setting for the latest Truman Scholar success story.
The Birmingham News recently published a piece on John Joseph (AL '00) and Global Grad, his innovative startup that draws on his experiences as a teacher and in education policy to provide a “step-by-step plan for personal, academic, and professional success in college” and helps students stand out from all the other future college graduates. John (full disclosure: a personal friend of mine) is an accomplished person who stepped away from a promising career in law and development to craft Global Grad. He is committed to this venture because, as we all know, it has been the case for some time now that a college degree alone is no longer enough to guarantee postgraduate educational or career options.
There is a crucial need for Global Grad, both in Alabama and nationally, and in making it happen John is truly living up to the “change agent” label the Foundation bestowed on him 11 years ago.
The web site is www.globalgrad.com, and you can find Global Grad on Facebook as well. John can be reached directly at johnj@globalgrad.com. Please don’t hesitate to contact him, and to circulate the article and links widely – to parents, educators, or just anyone who may be interested in the next great innovation in undergraduate education: http://blog.al.com/businessnews/2011/02/birmingham_entrepreneur_john_j.html.
James Gibson (AL '02) is an attorney in Washington, DC.
Feb 26, 2011
Almeida: President Obama Strengthens ENDA by Rejecting DOMA
Tico Almeida (WI '98) wrote a guest blog piece, "President Obama Strengthens ENDA by Rejecting DOMA" for The Bilerico Project.
Excerpt:
"Some advocates within the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community have presented a false choice between advocating for marriage equality and the proposed Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which would outlaw workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The truth is that the steps we take toward one goal also bring us closer to the other goal. Equality begets equality."
Feb 22, 2011
Sullivan To Be Named State Dept. Director of Policy Planning
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's Deputy Chief of Staff Jake Sullivan (MN '97) will soon be named as the next State Department director of policy planning, two State Department officials confirmed to Foreign Policy's The Cable.
Sullivan's appointment, which does not require Senate confirmation, could come as early as today, the officials said. He replaces outgoing Policy Planning Director Anne-Marie Slaughter, who will return to teach at Princeton University at the end of this month. Sullivan, one of Clinton's closest and most trusted aides, won't even have to change offices on the State Department's 7th floor to take charge of the shop that is Foggy Bottom's main incubator for policy ideas.
Jan 31, 2011
Senator Coons Discusses 112th Congress at Politico Event
U.S. Senator Chris Coons (DE '83) spoke at the Politico event "Mapping Out the 112th Congress." Coons discussed issues ranging from his temporary office trailer to President Obama's State of the Union address.
Dec 16, 2010
White House to Nominate Carolyn Lerner (MI '84) to Run the Office of Special Counsel
According to NPR: “The White House plans to nominate Carolyn Lerner (MI ‘84) to run the Office of Special Counsel, which represents federal whistle-blowers and other victims of discrimination within the government.”
Dec 06, 2010
Bell: A distraction of the road to a better welfare system
Monica Bell (SC '02) co-authored a piece published by The Washington Post entitled, "A Distraction of the Road to a Better Welfare System."
Buckwalter-Poza: Cambodia's Bon Om Touk Stampede Preventable
Rebecca Buckwalter-Poza (NC '09) authored a piece for The Huffington Post entitled, "Cambodia's Bon Om Touk Stampede Preventable."
Dec 01, 2010
Luke Messac (NY '07) Featured in The New York Times
Luke Messac (NY '07), an AIDS activist, was featured in a New York Times piece.
Ravi Gupta (NY '04) Featured in The Tennessean
Ravi Gupta (NY '04), who recently started a charter school, was featured in The Tennessean.
Nov 14, 2010
Two Scholars Named in Time Magazine's "40 Under 40"
Two Truman Scholars, both from the Class of 1997, were named in TIME Magazine's "40 Under 40" listing. Congratulations to Rachel Kleinfeld (AK '97) and to Jake Sullivan (MN '97).
Nov 05, 2010
Dakduk Quoted in Washington Post piece about Student Veterans
Michael Dakduk (NV '10), deputy executive director of Student Veterans of America, was quoted extensively in a Washington Post piece entitled, "Veterans who go back to school want more support."
