The Provost’s Council on Student Honors has selected four top scholars to represent the university in competition for the prestigious Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships. Hailing from such diverse disciplines as environmental engineering, sociology, ancient civilizations and visual art, these students hope to hone their skills to improve the world.
“We have a highly talented, select group of nominees this year, and we wish them well as they move to the regional level of competition,” says Lester Monts, senior vice provost for academic affairs and senior counselor to the president. “The university can be proud of providing an environment in which ambitious students can delve deeply into research while also participating in sports and community outreach. Each of these students has created a unique U-M experience. Their academic excellence is particularly laudable given their full-time responsibilities outside of the classroom.”
The Rhodes Scholarships allow outstanding students from many countries around the world to study at the University of Oxford. Marshall Scholarships finance Americans who wish to study for a degree in the United Kingdom. Faculty members of the Provost’s Council on Student Honors mentor students through the complicated but educational process of applying for these scholarships.
The nominees are:
• Anjuli Jain Figueroa of Mount Pleasant, who is studying civil and environmental engineering, College of Engineering, is nominated for the Rhodes and Marshall scholarships. Figueroa “seeks to solve social problems through better technology and infrastructure.” If selected for a scholarship, she plans to study for a Master of Science in environmental change and management, and water science, policy and management.
• Sarah Jukaku of Ann Arbor, who is pursuing dual degrees in honors sociology and Near East studies, LSA, is nominated for the Rhodes and Marshall scholarships. Jukaku is writing her senior thesis on how attitudes about modesty affect health access among Muslim-American women and is the lead author on a paper examining prenatal care among Arab-American mothers. She also is president of the Muslim Students’ Association at U-M. If selected for a scholarship, Jukaku plans to study medical anthropology.
• Sam Burns of Ann Arbor, who is pursuing dual degrees in ancient civilizations and Biblical studies, and in philosophy, LSA, is nominated for the Marshall Scholarship. His goal is to combine multiple educational fields “into a coherent method of studying the ancient world.” If selected for a scholarship, Burns plans to study for a Master of Philosophy in Egyptology or Assyriology.
• Kent Caldwell of Charlotte, N.C., who is pursuing dual degrees, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in the School of Art & Design and a Bachelor of Science in brain, behavior and cognitive science, LSA, is nominated for the Marshall Scholarship. Caldwell is a visual artist who wants to use storytelling to promote global communication. Caldwell also is a varsity gymnast on U-M’s championship gymnastic team and president of the Shipman Society. If selected for the scholarship, Caldwell plans to study visual arts.
