By Brooke Whittaker / EMU
YPSILANTI — Junior political science major and Honors student Naomi Barbour has been selected as a Harry S. Truman Scholarship finalist. This scholarship is awarded to individuals who show outstanding potential and plan to pursue a career in public service.
This year the Foundation received 709 applications from 285 institutions. The Truman Foundation’s Finalist Selection Committee narrowed down the applicant pool to 191 applicants from 136 institutions.
Barbour applied for the Truman Scholarship because she strives to make the world a better place by helping reform the public service and public policy system.
“Witnessing injustice at a young age propelled me to understand the root causes of reform, and I developed a desire to make the system more just and equitable. This exposure sparked a problem-solving mentality, driving me to find solutions and improvements through public service and public policy,” said Barbour.
Dr. Barbara Patrick, Department Head for Political Science and Director of the EMU Civil Rights and Social Justice Center, is proud of Barbour’s success in becoming a finalist for the Truman Scholarship.
“Each year more than 700 students apply for one of the competitive and prestigious Truman Scholarship Awards. These students, who are among the best and brightest in the country, will blaze the pathway forward as future leaders in public service,” states Patrick. “Naomi’s selection as a Truman Scholarship finalist is an honor for EMU and serves as a testament to her talent and commitment to addressing the needs of vulnerable citizens. We are immensely proud of her accomplishments!”
Ann Eisenberg, EMU’s Truman Faculty Representative and Dean of the Honors College, nominated Barbour for the Truman Scholarship. She adds, “When I met Naomi, I immediately saw her as a potential Truman Scholar because she is already a committed public servant. She’s on the Advisory Board of Students Learn Students Vote. She has interned with the City of Detroit, the Michigan House of Representatives, the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, and the Washtenaw County Public Defender’s Office. The list of her public service efforts is beyond impressive for a college junior.”
To learn more about the Harry S. Truman Scholarship visit https://www.truman.gov/.
About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 14,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University’s Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University’s website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.
