Iona Volynets Selected as 2023 Truman Scholar
Syracuse University junior Iona Volynets has been named as a 2023 recipient of the Truman Scholarship.
Volynets, of Washington, D.C., is a history and international relations major in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and College of Arts and Sciences with a museum studies minor in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, a Coronat Scholar and a member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program. In October 2022, Volynets was named as one of three Syracuse recipients of the Voyager Scholarship: the Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service, a new award for juniors committed to public service funded by the Obama Foundation.
The Truman Scholarship was awarded this year to 62 exceptional college juniors in recognition of their community service, academic accomplishment and commitment to a career of public service. Volynets was among 199 finalists selected from more than 705 candidates nominated by schools and colleges from around the country.
The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation was created by Congress in 1975 to be the nation’s living memorial to President Harry S. Truman. Since its creation, the Truman award has become the premier graduate scholarship for aspiring public service leaders in the United States. The scholarship seeks to fund students who possess the leadership skills, intellect and passion that will make them “change agents” for the public good in any field. Recipients receive $30,000 to fund up to three years of graduate education leading to a career in public service. Truman Scholars also benefit from a network of other scholars and the opportunity to participate in professional development programming to help prepare them for careers in public service leadership.
Volynets is the 14th Truman Scholar from Syracuse University since the program’s inception in 1975, and the first named since 2018. They worked with the Center for Fellowship and Scholarship Advising (CFSA) on their application and in preparing for their interview.
“Iona’s outstanding academic record, thoughtful community engagement, and leadership skills made them an excellent candidate for the Truman Scholarship,” says Jolynn Parker, director of the Center for Fellowship and Scholarship Advising. “They are poised to become exactly the kind of change agent the Truman Foundation seeks to recognize. I can’t wait to see what they do with this award.” To read more about Iona and the Truman Scholarship, follow this link :https://news.syr.edu/blog/2023/04/12/iona-volynets-selected-as-2023-truman-scholar/