04/18/2025

Sam Aitchison is now a Truman Scholar.

Aitchison, a junior majoring in finance, leadership and human resource management, and Catholic studies at Saint Louis University, is one of 54 college students from 49 U.S. colleges and universities selected as 2025 Truman Scholars. The Truman Scholarship is the premier graduate scholarship for aspiring public service leaders in the United States.

“I was honored to be a Truman Scholarship finalist and thought the interviews in Kansas City went well, but there were lots of very impressive finalists and I wasn't expecting to be a winner,” Aitchison said. “Hearing this announcement was exciting and I couldn't keep a smile off of my face. The Truman Scholarship will open lots of doors and opportunities for my future, and for this, I am very grateful.”

Aitchison was informed of his honor during a surprise ceremony on Wednesday, April 9. SLU President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., and Provost Mike Lewis, Ph.D., surprised Aitchison during his Service Leadership Program capstone class. 

“This is a very big deal,” Pestello said. “. . . It’s something to celebrate because it’s entirely aligned with our mission. Your commitment, your dedication to service, what you’ve already done and what you aspire to do is very impressive.” 

Lewis noted that Aitchison is the sixth Truman Scholar in SLU history and the third in the last four years. 

Aitchison said he had been waiting to hear about the status of his application and was hoping for good news. When he saw Pestello and Lewis walk in his classroom, he knew he had reached his goal. As an added bonus, the surprise happened to take place during Aitchison’s class with Ben Smyth, Ph.D. Aitchison called Smyth a mentor and said he was thrilled to share the moment with him. Smyth is the director of co-curricular and service-learning programs in the Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business.

“Ben has been instrumental in my development as a person and has provided many opportunities for me to discern my passions for leadership and service,” Aitchison said. 

Aitchison is involved in a number of activities and organizations at SLU and beyond. He currently serves as a Service Leadership Program executive board member, a volunteer coordinator at Loyola Academy of St. Louis, Beta Theta Pi fraternity vice president of finance, University Ambassador and guitar accompaniment at St. Francis Xavier College Church. 

“The foundation of my motivation is my Catholic faith, which has taught me to love God and love others,” Aitchison said. “I have been extremely blessed in my life and feel a calling to give the best of myself to all that I do — every interaction, classwork assignment, work endeavor, or meeting. SLU's mission, to pursue truth for the greater glory of God and service of humanity, resonates deeply with me, especially this university's emphasis on service and care for our neighbors.”

Aitchison’s work at Loyola Academy has been particularly impactful. At the middle school for young men, he helps organize, manage, and recruit 130 volunteers, many of whom are also SLU students. The volunteers help tutor the middle schoolers. 

“I've been fortunate to witness the transformative impact that education can have through my time at Loyola Academy and my own experiences in Jesuit education, and I hope to further the mission and impact that education has in the future,” he said. 

Aitchison said he plans to pursue a master's degree in secondary or higher education with the goal of teaching and, eventually, working in administration. He also expressed interest in working in governmental or nongovernmental organizations.

SLU Honors Program Director Rebecca Muich, Ph.D., helped Aitchison throughout the process. She said Aitchison’s passion for his Jesuit education and his ability to explain his values likely set him apart from others. 

“He has three majors in leadership and human resource management, finance, and Catholic studies, and a minor in service leadership,” Muich said. “Through his service leadership minor, he was introduced to Loyola Academy, where he first worked as a volunteer and then later stepped into the volunteer coordinator position. While serving the community, he learned more about disparities in education and began to learn more about how his own training in finance and human resource management might be leveraged to serve public education in America. He is a shining example of how experiential learning, discernment, and reflection can lead students to make incredible impacts and find incredible opportunities.”

Aitchison praised Muich and the Honors Program team for their work throughout the process. He said Muich in particular was supportive and provided “invaluable guidance” throughout. 

The 54 new Truman Scholars were selected from 743 candidates nominated by 288 colleges and universities. They were recommended by seventeen independent selection panels based on the finalists’ academic success and leadership accomplishments, as well as their likelihood of becoming public service leaders.

“From the beginning, it was clear that Sam was focused, organized, and passionate,” Muich said. “He committed to the process, which is really important because the Truman application requires months of work working on the written components and the policy proposal. It was clear from the beginning that he was willing to put in the time to craft a truly excellent application, and that he was open to growth opportunities throughout the process.”

Each Truman Scholar receives up to $30,000 toward a public-service graduate degree, leadership training, career counseling, and special internship and fellowship opportunities within the federal government.

Those interested in applying for a Truman or another nationally or internationally competitive scholarship or fellowship should contact Rebecca Muich, Ph.D., at rebecca.muich@slu.edu or visit the Office of Competitive Fellowships and Scholarships webpage for more information.