UA declared Truman Honor Institution

The Capstone has been added to a list of schools that includes Harvard, Yale, Princeton and Brown universities.

Because of its high success rate in the Truman Scholarship competition and its core values that promote students to pursue careers in public service, the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation has named the University a 2007 Truman Scholarship Honor Institution.

The Truman Foundation is a federal memorial program to President Harry Truman that recognizes college juniors with leadership skills who want to work in government, education, nonprofit or advocacy sectors, or in any other area in public service, according to the foundation's Web site.

Each year, the foundation selects 60 to 65 college juniors from a pool of 600 to 700 applicants to be named Truman scholars. The foundation gives up to $30,000 to each scholar to help them prepare for a career in public service by attending graduate school.

During the program's 31-year history, the University has had 15 Truman scholars, which Frederick G. Slabach, executive secretary for the Truman Foundation, said is "unusually large."

As part of the University's effort to increase participation in the scholarship program, the Honors College hosted a discussion panel titled "How Can I Change the World?"

The main focus of the panel was to inform students of the necessary steps to take to pursue careers in public service. The panel featured five people pursuing careers in public service who spoke to students.

Slabach listed three keys to changing the world: persistence, intellectual growth and gratitude. Intellectual growth means being open to new ideas, which can help students make their own beliefs stronger, he said.

Slabach also said students must be passionate about what they want to do.

Adam Harbison, a senior majoring in healthcare management and a 2007 Truman Scholar, said he agreed and said students have to find their passion.

If no program exists addressing your passion, "start it yourself," he said.

Joe Halli, a former Truman Scholar and panelist at the discussion, said he found his passion in the need to improve education. He said there is no responsibility greater than being a teacher.

"No matter what your skills are, there is something you can do for good," he said.

William Rogers, assistant director at the Stennis Center for Public Service at Mississippi State University and a panelist at the discussion, said students should consider careers with the government.

"What we really need are good people in government," he said. "We particularly need more women in government."

Stephan Black, director of the UA Initiative for Ethics and Social Responsibility and a panelist at the discussion, said students need to research and not be afraid to ask everyone who can help them - including professors.

"No one will turn you down if you call a person that has the same passion as you," Black said.

Kendall Smith, a junior majoring in international economics and Spanish, said she enjoyed the discussion panel and hearing what all the speakers had to say.

"It's nice to have someone sit down and tell you this is what [changing the world] is and how you can benefit," Smith said.