FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 24, 2000 CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119 DRAKE STUDENT SELECTED AS A TRUMAN SCHOLAR Sheila R. McCoy, a junior at Drake University, has been selected as a 2000 Truman Scholar on the basis of her leadership potential, intellectual ability and likelihood of "making a difference." She will receive a $30,000 scholarship that provides $3,000 for her senior year and $27,000 for graduate study. McCoy is the fifth Drake student to be named a Truman Scholar since 1990. Drake's last Truman Scholar was former Student Body President Todd Sechser, a 1999 Drake graduate. This year, 599 students were nominated as Truman Scholars and the first 61 Truman Scholarship recipients were announced today on the World Wide Web at www.truman.gov. "The Truman Scholarship is the most prestigious scholarship in the United States," said Julian Archer, professor of history and the Truman faculty representative on the Drake campus. "Being a Truman Scholar is comparable to being a Rhodes Scholar in England." "It's very exciting to be selected as a Truman Scholar and it's a rewarding end to a long application process," McCoy said. "The money certainly will be helpful, but more important than that is the honor of being a Truman Scholar and the doors that it will open in the future." McCoy will attend Truman Scholars Leadership Week from May 20-26 at William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo. She also will participate in an awards ceremony May 27 at the Harry S. Truman Library in Independence, Mo. A resident of Merrill, Iowa, McCoy has achieved a cumulative grade-point average of 4.0 while majoring in English, political science and international relations. She also has been a leader in many organizations, serving as president of the Drake Democrats, secretary of the Iowa Young Democrats, head delegate and vice president of the Model United Nations and director of professor Debra DeLaet's Model World Conference on Human Rights. In addition, she is curriculum chair of the Honors Student Council Executive Council, editor of the Drake University Social Sciences Journal and president of the Phi Alpha Theta History Fraternity. The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation awards merit-based $30,000 scholarships to college students who plan to attend graduate school and pursue careers in government or elsewhere in public service. McCoy plans to serve in the Peace Corps before going to law school and pursuing a legal career dedicated to protecting human rights.