The University of Guam is proud to announce that Athena Eva McNinch has been named a 2017 Truman Scholar.

Ms. McNinch is the 18th Truman Scholar to be named from the University of Guam since the scholarship’s creation.  This year, only 62 Truman Scholars were selected nationwide.  She will join the other scholars and receive her award in an official ceremony at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum, Missouri on Sunday, May 28, 2017.

The Truman award is one of the most prestigious national scholarships in the United States.  Recipients of the Truman Scholarship receive a $30,000 scholarship toward graduate school and the opportunity to participate in professional development programming to help prepare them for careers in public service leadership.

Annually, candidates for the Truman Scholarship go through a rigorous, multi-stage selection process.  This year, there were 768 candidates nominated from 315 colleges and universities throughout the United States and the Territories.  Nearly 200 finalists were interviewed in March and early April, and the final 62 were chosen.

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation was created by Congress in 1975 to be the nation’s living memorial to President Harry S. Truman. The Foundation has a mission to select and support the next generation of public service leaders. The University of Guam was named a Truman Honor Institution in 2009 because of its dedication and successful track record to the Truman Foundation and the outstanding commitment of its young people in pursuit of careers in public service.

Ms. McNinch is currently a junior at the University of Guam and the first Truman Scholar from the University of Guam to double major in Public Administration and Criminal Justice.  She is the daughter of Ronald and Rose McNinch.

List of the Truman Scholars from the University of Guam

•     Athena, McNinch – 2017 Truman Scholar
•     Rebecca Casimbon – 2015 Truman Scholar
•     Jose Salas Cruz, Jr. – 2009 Truman Scholar
•     Elvira Manglona – 2007 Truman Scholar
•     Sahara June Defensor – 2006 Truman Scholar
•     JakinDee M. Aguon-Perez – 2005 Truman Scholar
•     Donna L. Gomez – 2001 Truman Scholar
•     Mary Grace Mendoza-Lapid – 2000 Truman Scholar
•     Willian B. Cruz-Jones – 2004 Truman Scholar
•     Gena A. Rojas – 2002 Truman Scholar
•     Jesse T. San Nicolas – 1990 Truman Scholar
•     Duane M. George – 1989 Truman Scholar
•     Demian M. Fitzgerald – 1988 Truman Scholar
•     Leilana V. Lujan – 1986 Truman Scholar
•     John Jerry Ignacio – 1985 Truman Scholar
•     Marie T. Deloso – 1983 Truman Scholar
•     Maria Nancy V. Guhit – 1979 Truman Scholar
•     Joaquin V. Leon Guerrero – 1978 Truman Scholar

For more information on the Truman scholarship, visit https://www.truman.gov or contact UOG Truman Faculty Representative Dr. John J. Rivera at jrivera@triton.uog.edu.