Noelle R. Lopez (Santa Clara University) chosen as a Rhodes Scholar

WASHINGTON, DC/November 22, 2008 – Elliot F. Gerson, American Secretary of the
Rhodes Trust, today announced the names of the thirty-two American men and women
chosen as Rhodes Scholars. Rhodes Scholarships provide all expenses for two or three years of study at the University of Oxford in England, and may allow funding in some instances for four years. Mr. Gerson called the Rhodes Scholarships, "the oldest and best known award for international study, and arguably the most famous academic award available to American college graduates." They were created in 1902 by the Will of Cecil Rhodes, British philanthropist and African colonial pioneer. The first class of American Rhodes Scholars entered Oxford in 1904; those elected today will enter Oxford in October 2009.

Rhodes Scholars are chosen in a two-stage process. First, candidates must be endorsed by their college or university. Over 1500 students each year seek their institution’s endorsement; this year, 769 were endorsed by 207 different colleges and universities.

Committees of Selection in each of 16 districts then invite the strongest applicants to appear before them for interview. Gerson said, "applicants are chosen on the basis of the criteria set down in the Will of Cecil Rhodes. These criteria are high academic achievement, integrity of character, a spirit of unselfishness, respect for others, potential for leadership, and physical vigor. These basic characteristics are directed at fulfilling Mr. Rhodes’s hopes that the Rhodes Scholars would make an effective and positive contribution throughout the world. In Rhodes’ words, his Scholars should 'esteem the performance of public duties as their highest aim.'"

Applicants may apply either through the state where they are legally resident or where they have attended college for at least two years. The district committees met separately, on Friday and Saturday, November 21 and 22, in cities across the country. Each district committee made a final selection of two Rhodes Scholars from the candidates of the state or states within the district. Two-hundred nine applicants from 107 different colleges and universities reached the final stage of the competition, including a record 16 that had never before had a student win a Rhodes Scholarship. Gerson also reported, “in most years, we elect a winner from a college that had never before had a Rhodes Scholar. This year we are pleased to announce first-time winners from Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and from Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, California.” In addition, Gerson reported that, “Rhodes Scholars were also elected on Saturday from Virginia Military Institute and Drake University, the first Rhodes Scholars from these institutions in 42 and 82 years, respectively.”

The thirty-two Rhodes Scholars chosen from the United States will join an international group of Scholars chosen from thirteen other jurisdictions around the world. In addition to the thirty-two Americans, Scholars are also selected from Australia, Bermuda, Canada, the nations of the Commonwealth Caribbean, Germany, India, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Pakistan, Southern Africa (South Africa, plus Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia and Swaziland), Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Approximately 80 Scholars are selected worldwide each year.

With the elections announced today, 3,164 Americans have won Rhodes Scholarships,
representing 309 colleges and universities. Since 1976, women have been eligible to apply and 408 American women have now won the coveted scholarship. More than 1,800
American Rhodes Scholars are living in all parts of the U. S. and abroad. The value of the Rhodes Scholarship varies depending on the academic field and the degree (B.A., master’s, doctoral) chosen. The Rhodes Trust pays all college and university fees, provides a stipend to cover necessary expenses while in residence in Oxford as well as during vacations, and transportation to and from England. Mr. Gerson estimates that the total value of the Scholarship averages approximately US$50,000 per year.

DISTRICT 13
Arizona
Noelle R. Lopez, Tucson, is a senior at Santa Clara University, where she is majoring in philosophy. While compiling a near perfect academic record and winning many prizes for scholarship, she has been a leader in community service, with projects in Guatemala, Mexico, and rural California. Noelle is also an accomplished NCAA Division I cross-country runner, and was elected captain of the women’s track team. At Oxford, she plans to do the B.Phil. in philosophy.

Jesse Malkin (Berkeley High School, Berkeley, California 1987; Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio 1991), a cross country and track runner, was named a Rhodes Scholar in 1991. He is married to Michelle Malkin, a mother, wife, blogger, conservative syndicated columnist, author, and Fox News Channel contributor.