Bumgarner Named Truman Scholar

Bumgarner, a 1995 graduate of Fred T. Foard High School, is one of 76 students from 66 colleges and universities named as scholars.

Established by Congress in 1975, the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation awards merit-based $30,000 scholarships to college students who plan to pursue careers in government or other public service, and wish to attend graduate or professional school to help prepare for their careers. Each Truman Scholar receives $3,000 for the senior year of college and $27,000 for graduate studies.

Specific selection criteria include outstanding leadership potential, an established record of public and community service, intellectual strength, analytical ability and a commitment to a career in public service.

Bumgarner, who is majoring in politics, plans to seek a master’s degree in international affairs from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. She plans to pursue a career in policy development for Eastern Europe.

She has had extensive experience in international public service working with the League of Women in Uzhgorod, Ukraine, and with Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta.

The 1998 Truman Scholars will attend a “Leadership Week” in Liberty, Mo., May 24-30. The event will be capped by an awards ceremony on May 31. Scholars also have the option of applying to participate in a 10-week Washington Summer Institute. Bumgarner hopes to work with the United States Agency for International Development in its Bureau for Europe and the Newly Independent States.

Bumgarner is the daughter of Doug and Ginny Bumgarner of Hickory.