Casimbon is 17th Truman Scholar from the University of Guam

University of Guam student Rebecca Casimbon has been selected as a 2015 Truman Scholar. The prestigious, merit-based $30,000 scholarship is awarded to students planning to attend graduate or professional school. Casimbon's selection was announced today by the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation.

"We are so proud of Rebecca as she accepts this prestigious award. Her recognition is well-deserved, and we look forward to her joining the ranks of Truman Scholars at UOG, " said Dr. Anita Borja Enriquez, Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs at UOG. "We are excited to see her education continue and look forward to the day when she completes this exciting adventure and returns home to Guam."

Casimbon will graduate from UOG in the fall with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management and a minor in Public Administration. She intends to pursue her Master's Degree and eventually her Doctorate. She is a 2011 graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School.

Casimbon is one of 58 Truman Scholars selected this year. The program is one of the most competitive undergraduate scholarships in the nation. In total, 688 candidates applied and only 200 were chosen as finalists. Casimbon interviewed as a finalist in Washington D.C. on April 2. The winners will receive their awards in a ceremony at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum on Sunday, May 24.

Casimbon will attend a leadership training class this summer in Missouri and have the opportunity to complete an internship in Washington D.C. during her graduate studies.

"Truman Scholars are not just good students based on their grades. They also participate in real, applied community service. These students find the balance between their schooling and community. As a result, they become really well-rounded," said Dr. Ron McNinch who advised Casimbon through the application process. "These are not just your normal students. They may not always be straight A students but they have extensive leadership and community service records that set them apart." 

Including Casimbon, the University of Guam has produced 17 Truman Scholars. Four other students from Guam have also been awarded the scholarship for a total of 21 Truman Scholars from Guam.

About the Truman Scholarship

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 Truman award has become one of the most prestigious national scholarships in the United States. 

Annually, candidates for the Truman Scholarship go through a rigorous, multi-stage selection process. In 2015, there were 688 candidates for the award nominated by 297 colleges and universities. The 200 finalists for the award were interviewed in March and early April at one of sixteen regional selection panels. Fifty-eight new Truman Scholars were selected in 2015. They will receive their awards in a ceremony at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum on Sunday, May 24, 2015. 

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. 

For more information about the Truman Scholarship Program contact Dr. Ron McNinch at (671) 735-2501/2520 or email rmcninch@uguam.uog.edu.

 

UOG student Rebecca Casimbon (left) reads the letter aloud announcing her selection as a 2015 Truman Scholar. Casimbon was given the book by faculty at UOG including Dr. Anita Borja Enriquez, UOG Senior Vice President (right) during a recognition ceremony. Casimbon, a Business Administration major, was selected for the $30,000 scholarship after completing an interview in Washington D.C. earlier this month.

 

University of Guam faculty, friends and family joined together to congratulate UOG student Rebecca Casimbon on her selection as a 2015 Truman Scholar. Ceremony attendees included (left to right) UOG Senior Vice President Dr. Anita Borja Enriquez, UOG Faculty Dr. Richard Colfax, UOG Dean of the School of Business & Public Administration Dr. Annette Santos, UOG Faculty Dr. Ron McNinch, Casimbon, James Noel Rivera, UOG Faculty Dr. John J. Rivera, Monsignor James LG Benavente, Abigail Rivera holding Ayla Rose Rivera, UOG Faculty Dr. Wai Law, from the Office of Congresswoman Bordallo Jon Junior Calvo, and UOG ROTC Professor of Military Science LTC Jay A. Blakely. Casimbon is one of 58 students chosen this year for the $30,000 scholarship this year.