Auburn University is joining a national network of institutions supporting some of the nation’s most promising future public service leaders through a new partnership with the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation. The partnership will provide additional financial support to Truman Scholars who choose Auburn to pursue their graduate education.
Through the partnership, Auburn’s Graduate School will provide a matching $30,000 award for up to two years to Truman Scholars enrolled in on-campus graduate programs. The Auburn award will supplement the $30,000 scholars receive from the foundation for graduate or professional study, further strengthening Auburn’s ability to attract and support students committed to careers in public service.
"Our nation needs talented leaders who are prepared to use their knowledge and abilities to improve lives and strengthen communities," Auburn President Christopher B. Roberts said. "This partnership reflects Auburn’s commitment to developing those leaders and ensuring Truman Scholars have the support they need to pursue graduate education and careers devoted to the greater good."
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The Truman Scholarship is one of the nation’s premier merit-based awards for undergraduates planning to pursue graduate education and careers in public service. Scholars receive financial support for graduate or professional study, participate in leadership development and gain access to internship and employment opportunities with the federal government.
At Auburn, the Honors College plays an important role in helping undergraduate students pursue the Truman Scholarship and other nationally competitive awards, providing guidance and support throughout the application process. Auburn has a longstanding connection to the Truman program, with five students named Truman Scholars since the program began in 1977: Elizabeth Stover in 1980, Kyle Logue in 1985, Azeem Ahmed in 2013, Sam Wilcox in 2014 and Allen Li in 2022.
For Li, the value of becoming a Truman Scholar extended well beyond the financial award.
"The Truman Scholarship connected me with a community of lifelong friends and mentors whose guidance has been invaluable as I navigated my early career working at the U.S. Department of Treasury and sharpened my focus during my time at Columbia Law School," Li said. "This partnership solidifies Auburn's commitment to ensuring students have the support and resources they need to pursue robust careers in public service, empowering them to drive meaningful change both in the Auburn community and on the national stage."
Created as a living memorial to President Harry S. Truman, the foundation has selected more than 3,600 Truman Scholars who have gone on to careers across government, the military, education, journalism, philanthropy and other areas of public service.
"Now is the time to invest in the next generation of leaders," Terry Babcock-Lumish, executive secretary of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, added. "Auburn University's generous commitment to matching financial support for Truman Scholars demonstrates a shared commitment to an educated citizenship and political responsibility. Thank you to President Roberts and the Auburn University community for championing public service."
The partnership complements Auburn’s existing efforts to support students pursuing nationally competitive awards and graduate education. Undergraduate students interested in competing for the Truman Scholarship can find eligibility requirements, application information and upcoming informational sessions through the Office of National Prestigious Scholarships at Auburn.
The Graduate School will administer Auburn’s financial commitment to Truman Scholars who choose the university for graduate study. Scholars who receive the Truman Scholarship and are admitted to an Auburn graduate program should contact the Graduate School to coordinate funding. Additional information is available on the Graduate School’s Truman Scholarship webpage.
