Ten talented young men and women have much to celebrate this holiday season, as they have made history by being selected for the latest group of Rhodes Scholars, which includes the largest number of African-American recipients in the history of the highly coveted program.
Viewed by many as the most prestigious scholarship one can receive, this year’s Rhodes Scholars program awarded 32 individuals who have demonstrated scholastic excellence and an extraordinary ability to put their best talents to use in various fields of study. The scholarship covers all recipients’ expenses for up to 3 years of post-graduate studies at Oxford University in England and is valued at an estimated $68,000 per year.
Rhodes Trust American secretary Elliot F. Gerson says the 2017 class is a nod to the country’s increasingly diverse make up. “This year’s selections — independently elected by 16 committees around the country meeting simultaneously — reflects the rich diversity of America,” Elliot Gerson said in a news release, accodring to NBC News. “They plan to study a wide range of fields across the social sciences, biological and medical sciences, physical sciences and mathematics, and the humanities.”
Among the 10 African-American scholars included in this year’s recipients are Simone Askew, who made headlines earlier this year as the first black woman to lead the Corps of Cadets at West Point, and 23-year-old Standford University graduate Jelani Munroe. Munroe plans to pursue a Master’s of Philosophy in Development Studies during his time at Oxford.
For a look at the complete list of 2017 Rhodes Scholars, visit the official website HERE.