Last week 32 American men and women were selected as Rhodes Scholars (full bios can be see at 2009_RS Winners_Bios_for_Website). It is an amazing honor that both acknowledges the great work these individuals have already done as well as their potential to do even more, for themselves and for society at large.
According to the will of Cecil Rhodes, who established the scholarships, the criteria for selection was as follows:
- literary and scholastic attainments;
- energy to use one’s talents to the full, as exemplified by fondness for and success in sports;
- truth, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy for and protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness and fellowship;
- moral force of character and instincts to lead, and to take an interest in one’s fellow beings.
Mr. Rhodes’ explicit mentioning of sports, as well as a “devotion to duty” represented an early recognition of their individual and combined importance for personal and societal improvement.
Among the winners this year were the following varsity college athletes:
Jordan Anderson – Captain of the Auburn University swim team and an All-American
Darryl Finkton – varsity basketball player at Harvard University
Andrew McCall – Div. II All-American swimmer and captain of the team at Truman State University
Justine O. Schluntz – A nine-time All-American in swimming and member of the 2008 national championship team at the Univ. of Arizona. She swam in the U.S. Olympic trials in 2004 and 2008, and holds NCAA and American records in relays.
Elizabeth A. Betterbed – Academic All-American varsity soccer player at the United States Military Academy
Brittany L. Morreale – Captain of the Air Force cross country team
Also, amongst the 32 college students and recent graduates was an avid cyclist, club team wrestler, rower, marathon runner, black belt in taekwondo, and a skier/snowboarder.
Congratulations to all of the winners.
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