KU senior travels to St. Louis as finalist for Rhodes scholarship


LAWRENCE — University of Kansas senior Leigh Loving, Mendota Heights, Minnesota, is traveling to St. Louis today as a finalist for the prestigious Rhodes scholarship. Loving’s invitation to the St. Louis region marks the fourth year in a row with at least one KU student selected as a Rhodes scholarship finalist.

Thirty-two of the prestigious scholarships, which provide full tuition and fees for two years of graduate study at Oxford University, as well as a living allowance, are awarded annually. Two winners are announced from each of 16 districts following Nov. 22 interviews by Rhodes Foundation representatives. KU students compete with finalists from colleges and universities in Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Tennessee.

Loving, originally from McPherson and a 2011 graduate of McPherson High School, is majoring in biology. She is the founder of the Jayhawk Health Initiative, a pre-health service learning organization, and is a Kansas Health Foundation Fellow in Community Health and Development. She is a 2013 Clinton Global Initiative participant and a 2014 Outstanding Woman Student in Leadership award recipient.

She is a 2014-15 Hall Center Scholar, a recipient of the Student Excellence in Service Learning Award, a member of Kappa Alpha Theta and a member of the University Honors Program, where she also serves as an Honors Program ambassador. She is the daughter of James and Dawn Loving.

KU has produced 26 Rhodes scholars, more than all other colleges in Kansas combined. U.S. students between ages 18 and 24 who have demonstrated high academic achievement and leadership are eligible to apply.

KU’s nationally recognized University Honors Program works with students interested in pursuing national scholarship opportunities. Anne Wallen, assistant director of the University Honors Program, is available to provide guidance on the application process. She may be reached at annewallen@ku.edu and on Twitter, @annewallenKU.

Thu, 11/20/2014

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Anne Wallen

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Anne Wallen

Office of Fellowships

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