"Truth, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy for and protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness and fellowship." This year, the University's selection committee decided that seven former and current University students possess these traits - traits that Cecil Rhodes chose as requirements in 1902 for all Rhodes Scholarship students.
The seven University students were nominated to send in their applications to their state's Rhodes Scholarship selection committee. They now are waiting to hear whether these committees have chosen them to be interviewed. If they win the approval of their state committee, a District Committee will interview the students. The Commonwealth of Virginia nominates about 12 people for Rhodes Scholarships each year. If a University student is selected as one of four students chosen by the District Committee, he or she will become one of the nations' 32 Rhodes Scholars.
Winners of the Rhodes Scholarship study for two years at Oxford University in England. All education costs are paid and the scholars also are given an allowance and travel expenses.
Leonard Schoppa, assistant government and foreign affairs professor and the University's representative for the scholarship, said the on-Grounds nominations were in the beginning of October.
The Rhodes Scholars will be announced Dec. 4.
Schoppa said the University has had a Rhodes Scholar for the past two years.
The applicants for the awards are interested in a broad range of fields.
Lori Calvasina, a University nominee and former Jefferson Society vice president, said she plans to study political philosophy if awarded the scholarship.
Kristen Deede, a University nominee and Class of 1998 graduate, now is a research assistant in the sociology and religious studies departments. While at the University she was active in First-Year Fellowship and on the ski team.
If selected for the Rhodes Scholarship, Deede said she plans to study philosophical theology.
Fourth-year College student Robert Schoenvogel also was nominated by the University and said he would like to pursue both history and English if he is awarded the scholarship. He is majoring in history and also is the student member of the Board of Visitors.
Aubrey Gilbert, third-year College student and University Rhodes Scholarship nominee, has perhaps the most unique field of study - Gilbert is taking a self-designed major entitled "Evolution, Metaphor and Paradox." She is writing a combination book and thesis on the same topic, which she describes as "analyzing sciences through how we work in the world."
If chosen for the award, she said she would like to study "integrated bio-sciences."
University nominee David Fontana, a 1999 College graduate and Yale Law School student, said he would like to study politics if tapped by the committee.
The other University nominees are fourth-year Engineering student Les Williams and 1998 College graduate Anand Mehra.
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