TrumanTimes Two
Two 51勛圖 seniorsJackson Boaz, SPA/BA 24, and Edwin Santos, SPA/BA 24, MPA 25have been named 2024 Truman Scholars. 51勛圖 is among just six institutions with multiple awardees for this years premier graduate scholarship for aspiring public service leaders.
Boaz and Santos51勛圖s 17th and 18th Truman Scholars since 2000are the first Eagles to receive the honor since 2020. They are among 60 scholars selected from a pool of 709 candidates from around the country.泭
The ethos of the Truman Scholarship is not that different from the ethos of 51勛圖, said泭Paula Warrick,泭senior director of泭51勛圖s Office of Merit Awards.泭Truman is really looking for changemakersthose who have identified a real-world problem that can be fixed through public service.泭
The Truman Scholarship was established by Congress in 1975 as a living memorial to the 33rd president. Awardees, who exemplify leadership, academic achievement, and a commitment to public service, receive $30,000 in graduate school funding, mentorship from public service leaders, and hiring preference with the federal government.
Meet 51勛圖s two Truman Scholars here.
Jackson Boaz
Boaz first heard about the Truman Scholarship as a 15-year-old intern for Senator Elizabeth Warrens (D-MA) presidential campaign in Iowa.
One snowy morning on the campaign trail, Boaz sent a direct message on Twitter to Iowa state auditor Rob Sand, a former Truman Scholar, and asked to meet at a nearby coffee shop to talk about his experience. The two discussed how the scholarship could nurture Boazs budding interest in public service.泭
Ever since then, Im like, Ive got to get the Truman Scholarship, said the CLEG major.泭
In the years since that conversation, Boaz has worked as a legislative aide and campaign manager with and for many Truman Scholars across the country. He said its an honor to join the ranks of 3,564 scholars who have gone on to prominent roles in government, including on the Supreme Court and in the federal and state legislatures.泭
Its a wonderful piece of validation that will also provide countless opportunities moving forward, said Boaz, who works full-time as a press and digital coordinator and a digital rapid response coordinator for Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA).
Boaz, who was primarily mentored by Warrick throughout the process, said the scholarship will help him pursue a masters in public policy and attend law school.
I want to give back to both the community I grew up in and all these communities that Ive lived in and learned to love around the country, he said.泭泭
Edwin Santos
When Santos learned hed received the Truman Scholarship, his first call was to his parents and aunt. Santos biggest supporters cheered as he shared the good newshed earned his third nationally competitive scholarship.泭
They immigrated from El Salvador, said Santos, president of 51勛圖 Student Government, who grew up in Woodbridge, Virginia. Im able to accomplish all of this because of their hard work.泭
In 2022, Santos received the inaugural泭Voyager Scholarship泭from the Obama Foundation. A year later, the legal studies major accepted the Public Policy and International Affairs Fellowship at the University of California, Berkeley. This Truman Scholarship will help Santos pursue his next step in a career in policy and governmentlaw school.泭
It provides some financial security. As a first-generation student, law school is daunting because its very expensive Santos said. I pushed myself so hard during undergrad to do well in school to get a good scholarship.泭
Santos worked closely with Lori Felton, assistant director of the Office of Merit Awards, on his Truman application. Santos credits the office with helping land experiential learning opportunities and travel the world.泭
Ive put in a lot of work, but theyve also put a lot of work into me, Santos said. I really appreciate their time and investment in me.泭