Campus News

Economics, international affairs major named Truman Scholar

Kathleen Wilson Truman Scholar headshot-v
Kathleen Wilson

UGA Honors student Kathleen Wilson was one of 58 students nationwide to be named a 2015 Truman Scholar. She is UGA’s fifth recipient of the scholarship in the past five years.

Truman Scholars receive a $30,000 scholarship toward graduate school and the opportunity to participate in professional development programming to help prepare them for careers in public service leadership.

Wilson is a native of Beaumont, Texas, an Honors student and a recipient of UGA’s premier undergraduate scholarship, the Foundation Fellowship. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in economics from the Terry College of Business and a bachelor’s degree in international affairs from UGA’s School of Public and International Affairs. After graduation in 2016, she aims to pursue master’s degrees in public policy and Middle Eastern studies.

“Once again, we find a UGA student competing successfully for one of the nation’s most prestigious academic scholarships,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “Five Truman Scholars in five years is yet another sign of this institution’s rising academic stature. Kathleen is an outstanding student with a deep passion for service, and the university community is very proud of her.”

Wilson has studied in Washington, D.C., through UGA’s Washington Semester Program, has studied Arabic in Morocco and has been engaged in outreach to young people in Athens-Clarke County. During the course of her undergraduate career, she has been involved in a number of organizations and activities that reflect her commitment to promoting gender equality.

“Kathleen has combined her tremendous intellect with a selfless dedication to advancing the important cause of gender equity here on campus and around the world,” said Pamela Whitten, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “I know that she will make the most of the opportunities that being a Truman Scholar provides, just as she’s made the most of her UGA experience.”