SLU Student Named Truman Scholarship Finalist
03/12/2025
Saint Louis University’s Sam Aitchison has been named a finalist for the prestigious Harry S. Truman Scholarship.
Aitchison is a junior majoring in finance, leadership and human resource management, and Catholic Studies. He hopes to pursue an MA in Educational Transformation and would like to eventually work for the U.S. Department of Education.
Sam Aitchison. Submitted photo.
The final round of competition takes place in March.
The Harry S. Truman Foundation was created in 1975. The Act authorized the Foundation to “award scholarships to persons who demonstrate outstanding potential for and who plan to pursue a career in public service,” and to conduct a nationwide competition to select Truman scholars. The Foundation awarded its first scholarships in the 1977-78 academic year.
Each year hundreds of college juniors compete for roughly 60 awards. The rigorous selection process requires that good candidates have a strong record of public service, as well as a policy proposal that addresses a particular issue in society.
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.
In the history of the award, SLU has had five Truman scholars.
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.
Latest Newslink
- SLU to Serve as Regional Summit Hub Host Site in National Event Around Health Care Workforce ReadinessOn Wednesday, May 21, the Saint Louis University Interprofessional Education Program, the Doisy College of Health Sciences, will host the fifth annual Regional Summit sponsored by the Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions.
- SLU Professors Recognized at 2025 St. Louis Theater Circle AwardsTwo Saint Louis University Theatre and Dance faculty members brought home awards at the 2025 St. Louis Theatre Circle Awards. Nancy Bell, professor of theatre, was awarded Outstanding Director of a Comedy for "As You Like It". The show also received Outstanding Production of a Comedy. Lucy Cashion, associate professor of theatre, directed "Romanov Family Yard Sale," which received Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy.
- Saint Louis University's New Venture Accelerator Names Second CohortSaint Louis University's New Venture Accelerator (NVA), launched in 2024 out of the Chaifetz Center for Entrepreneurship, announces its second cohort of participants. The NVA offers current SLU students and alumni who have graduated within the last five years equity-free investments of up to $50,000 through a special accelerator fund created through donor support. In addition to financial support, the teams receive additional resources and mentoring from SLU experts.
- Saint Louis University Students in Kenya, Malawi Embrace Opportunity to Be Part of University CommunityThe Saint Louis University-Jesuit Worldwide Learning program offers bachelor's degrees to international students displaced by conflict, lack of opportunity, and poverty in places such as refugee camps in Kenya and Malawi.
- Saint Louis University and Taylor Geospatial Institute Announce Major Milestone as TGI Evolves with Move to IndependenceAfter nearly three successful years working under the SLU umbrella, TGI is now poised to take a major step forward by becoming a standalone nonprofit organization this year. The transition marks the next phase in TGI’s evolution, ensuring its continued growth and long-term impact.
- Outgoing President Pestello to Deliver May 2025 Commencement AddressFred P. Pestello, Ph.D., will deliver the spring commencement address in his final graduation ceremony as Saint Louis University’s president. Pestello, the 33rd president in SLU’s history, will step down from the presidency at the end of June.The ceremony begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 17, in Chaifetz Arena. The event will also be live-streamed on slu.edu and archived on SLU’s YouTube channel.