The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation recently announced the names of 62 exceptional college juniors out of 629 candidates nominated as 2013 Truman Scholars. Rhodes political economy major Frankie Dakin is one of them.
The prestigious Truman Scholarship provides generous financial support for graduate study in preparation for careers in government, public service, the nonprofit sector, or education. Scholars also receive priority admission and supplemental financial aid at some premier graduate institutions, leadership training, career and graduate school counseling, and special internship opportunities within the federal government. Scholars were chosen by 17 independent selection panels on the basis of their academic and leadership accomplishments and their likelihood of becoming public service leaders.
A native of Millington, Tenn., Dakin is a participant of Rhodes’ Bonner Scholarship program for students who have a passion for service and social justice, and he has served as an intern for Memphis-based organization BRIDGES. In 2012, Dakin became the youngest alderman ever elected in the city of Millington. In March, he received the Vanderhaar Student Peace Award given each year to a local college student. Dakin plans to attend law school after graduating from Rhodes.
Regarding the application process for the scholarship, Dakin says, “I would like to thank Professor Robert Saxe for his help with my preparation process, Anthony Siracusa for his advice and mentorship, and Professor Michael Nelson for his instruction and assistance.”
In 1975, the Truman Scholarship Foundation was established by Congress as a federal memorial to the 33rd President, Harry S. Truman. The 2013 Truman Scholars will assemble May 28 for a leadership development program at William Jewell College in Missouri and receive their awards in a special ceremony.