VCU student named finalist for Harry S. Truman Scholarship

By Loreal Bond
University News Services

Virginia Commonwealth University student Jamie Bennett was among an elite group of students making it to finalist level for the Harry S. Truman Scholarship, which is awarded annually to one student from each state who is committed to making a difference through public service.

Although she wasn’t selected, being a finalist is still quite an accomplishment for the home-schooled and well-traveled 24-year-old.

Bennett is majoring in social work and seeking a master’s degree in both social work and public policy. Bennett says she wants to work for an inter-governmental or nongovernment organization as an international social worker focusing on education in the Palestinian territories.

“We are very excited that Jaime was recognized as a finalist for this scholarship. It is a great accomplishment,” said Jeff Wing, national scholarship coordinator for the VCU honors program. Wing also nominated Bennett for the scholarship, which provides up to $30,000 in funds for graduate school.

Approximately 600 students are nominated each year from more than 300 colleges and universities. This year’s winners from Virginia were Kunal Malhotra, who attends the University of Massachusetts, and Matthew Robert-Zedler, who attends the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Bennett’s path to college was unusual in that she was home-schooled by her parents, allowing the family to travel on mission projects with their church. By the age of 18, Bennett had spent time in Kenya, India and Ecuador.

She studied Arabic and Arab culture in Jordan and Yemen for two years before returning to Virginia. In 2004, Bennett, with the support of the Office of International Education, the School of World Studies, the VCU Honors Program and the Muslim Students Association, established the first VCU Arabic Film Festival as an introduction to Arab culture to VCU and the Richmond community.

Bennett has received numerous awards during her time at VCU including the multicultural scholarship for leadership and enhancing the appreciation of diversity at VCU. She also was selected to represent VCU at the Women as Global Leaders Conference in the United Arab Emirates.

The Truman Scholarship Foundation was established to recognize college juniors with exceptional leadership potential who are committed to careers in government, nonprofit or advocacy sectors, education or other public services, and to provide them with support for graduate study, leadership training and fellowship with other students who are committed to making a difference through public service.

For more information, visit www.truman.gov.