Pace Paw Print

Media Credit: dkimages.com Beginning in Fall 2008, Thompson and along with his fellow 2008 Rhode Scholars will study for two years at Oxford University

A Pace graduate student recently was named one out of 32 people in the United States who have been awarded the Rhode Scholarship for 2008.

Scott M. Thompson is the first Pace student to win the scholarship, which is world's oldest international fellowship program. A 2006 graduate from Stanford University, Thompson is currently enrolled in Pace's School of Education, where he is working on his master of science in adolescent education with a concentration in social studies.

"I think my jaw might have actually dropped when they announced it," Thompson told The Stanford Daily via email.

Thompson will now join the approximately 230 other winners from all over the world, including students from Germany, Australia, South Africa and India. The winners will meet in England next fall, where they will begin a two year study abroad program in Oxford.

The scholarship, according to a Pace press release on Nov. 21, pays all college and university fees of its winners as well as provides a stipend to cover necessary expenses while in residence in Oxford, as well as during vacations and transportation to and from England. The average total value is approximately $45,000 per year.

The New York Times called the Rhode Scholarship the "granddaddy of all fellowships, both the most prestigious and the most arduous," in an article in Jan. 2003. Credentials for the scholarship go beyond high academic standing, looking for other characteristics in its applicants including "integrity of character, a spirit of unselfishness, respect for others, potential for leadership and physical vigor." The physical vigor, according to Boston University's description of the scholarship on its website, does not demand proof of participation in varsity sports, but proof that the applicant has the energy to "enable them to make an effective contribution to the world around them."

Thompson is also in the second year of the two year Teach for America Program at Pace, through which he is teaching social studies full time at the Theatre Arts Production Company School, located in the South Bronx.

"As a Teach for America teacher in the South Bronx, I've seen firsthand all of the obstacles that my students face on a daily basis," Thompson said to The Daily. "The Oxford program will help me to develop expertise in evaluating and implementing research-based solutions to these social problems."

Stanford University tied with the University of Chicago this year as the schools with the most students selected for the scholarship, having three winners each.

At Stanford, Thompson majored in psychology and political science. At Pace, Thompson continues his high academic standing by maintaining a 4.0 grade point average.

Despite his achievements, Thompson told The Daily he was still surprised when he found out he won the scholarship over other qualified candidates.

"The other finalists were an incredibly bright and talented group of people, and after spending a couple of days with them through the interview process, I really wasn't expecting to win the award."

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