CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Katherine Larson, a senior at St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn., is one of 32 national winners of Rhodes Scholarships -- the nation's oldest and most prestigious post-graduate award. Larsoni is the sixth student to have earned the scholarship at St. Olaf, one of 28 colleges and universities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
"I am ecstatic" at receiving the award, Larson said.
At St. Olaf, Larson is pursuing a double bachelor of arts degree in music and art, with a concentration in women's studies. She is a member of the St. Olaf Cantorei choir.
Larson calls herself a "global nomad." She was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. At age 10, she moved with her family to Geneva, Switzerland, where her father, the Rev. Stephen M. Larson, is pastor of English Language Lutheran Church, and her mother, the Rev. Rebecca Larson, is secretary of research and development education for the Lutheran World Federation -- a global communion of 128 member churches in 70 countries representing 58 million of the world's 61.5 million Lutherans.
Larson has maintained a 3.96 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale at St. Olaf. She has participated in St. Olaf's two-year Great Conversation program, has won numerous prizes in voice competitions, and is a regular chapel cantor at the college. Larson enjoys modern and ballroom dance, skiing, jogging, and plays broomball and Ultimate Frisbee.
Larson and the other 31 Rhodes Scholars 2000 were chosen from 935 applicants endorsed by 323 colleges and universities nationwide. The scholarships provide two to three years of study at the University of Oxford, England, where Larson will do post-graduate study in English starting next fall.
The value of a Rhodes Scholarship varies depending on academic field, degree and the Oxford college chosen. The Rhodes Trust pays all college and university fees and provides an expense stipend. The total value averages $25,000 per year.
In addition to the 32 students chosen from the United States, 36 additional scholarships are awarded to students in 18 other countries. Students apply either in their home states or the state where they are attending college. An initial screening at the state level reduces the applicants to about a dozen in each of the eight nationwide districts. Four students from each district are awarded scholarships.
Candidates must demonstrate high academic achievement, integrity, unselfishness, respect, physical vigor, leadership potential and a wide range of interests.
[** Michael Cooper is the director of news for St. Olaf College, Northfield=
, Minn.]
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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