Julie Ann L. Laxamana, a senior Criminal Justice andBiology major at the University of Guam, has been selected for the 2024 TrumanScholarship. From left to right: Dr. Gena Rojas, Interim Dean of EnrollmentManagement and Student Succes and eleventh UOG Truman Scholar; Dr. SharleneSantos-Bamba, Senior Vice President and Provost; Dr. Anita Borja Enriquez, UOGPresident; Christian Gyles Ramos, UOG student and 20th UOG Truman Scholar;Julie Ann L. Laxamana; Julian Laxamana, Jr.; Junellie Mae Laxamana; MaeAnne Laxamana; and Dr. Ronald McNinch, Associate Professor of PublicAdministration.

Headshot of Julie Ann L. Laxamana

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Laxamana is the 21st Truman Scholar from UOG.

“I’m thankful to the Harry S. Truman Foundation for this opportunity and to my mentors at
UOG, Dr. Gena Rojas and Dr. Ron McNinch, for their support throughout this process and
my time as a UOG student. I am very humbled and honored.”

The Truman Scholarship, a highly competitive and prestigious scholarship, was established
by the U.S. Congress in 1975 as the living memorial to President Harry S. Truman.
Laxamana can use the $30,000 scholarship to pursue a master’s degree at some of the
nation’s top universities for public service and administration.

According to a press release from the foundation, “Truman Scholars demonstrate
outstanding leadership potential, a commitment to a career in government or the nonprofit
sector, and academic excellence. Each Truman Scholar receives funding for graduate
studies, leadership training, career counseling, and special internship and fellowship
opportunities within the federal government.”

Laxamana also serves on the UOG Board of Regents as the Student Regent. She was
recently named a Congressional Award Gold Medal recipient. The Congressional Award
website states that Gold Medal winners “have committed themselves to at least two years to
goal-setting and community involvement. To earn the award, a participant must log a
minimum of 400 hours of Voluntary Public Service, 200 hours of Personal Development, 200
hours of Physical Fitness, and a five-day, four-night Expedition or Exploration.”

“We are immensely proud of Julie. It’s truly amazing to see our students achieve on the
national stage,” said UOG President Anita Borja Enriquez. “Her accomplishments highlight
not only her leadership capacity, hard work ethic, and commitment to academic excellence,
but also the invaluable mentorship from our dedicated faculty. UOG is shaping leaders ready
to make a meaningful impact.”

Truman Scholars from the University of Guam:

1. Joaquin V. Leon Guerrero – 1978
2. Maria Nancy V. Guhit – 1979
3. Marie T. Deloso – 1983
4. John Jerry Ignacio – 1985
5. Leilana V. Lujan – 1986
6. Demian M. Fitzgerald – 1988
7. Duane M. George – 1989
8. Jesse T. San Nicolas – 1990
9. Mary Grace Mendoza-Lapid – 2000
10. Donna L. Gomez – 2001
11. Gena A. Rojas – 2002
12. Willian B. Cruz-Jones – 2004
13. JakinDee M. Aguon-Perez – 2005
14. Sahara June Defensor – 2006
15. Elvira Manglona – 2007
16. Jose Salas Cruz, Jr. – 2009
17. Rebecca Casimbon – 2015
18. Athena McNinch –2017
19. Kehani Mendiola – 2021
20. Christian Gyles Ramos – 2023
21. Julie Ann L. Laxamana – 2024