Rockhurst Student Named Truman Scholar Finalist

After competing with more than 600 students from across the nation, Rockhurst junior Marisa Hamm received the honored distinction of being named a 2008 Truman Scholar Finalist. Hamm, a Colorado native, was selected as one of 200 finalists nationwide. She then traveled to Denver to compete with applicants from her home state.

As a political science major with plans of attending law school, Hamm was a good candidate for the Truman Scholarship, which seeks to recognize students who plan to pursue a career in public service. Although she was not a scholarship recipient, the application process challenged Hamm to recognize and explore future possibilities.

“I now have a better idea of who I want to be,” said Hamm. “It gave me the opportunity to look at things and assess what in my life is working and what is not. It was a really, really good experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat.”

Faculty adviser Daniel J. Martin, Ph.D., assistant professor of English, served as Hamm’s mentor throughout the application process, and witnessed how she benefited from the experience.

“She learned a lot about herself,” said Martin. “Taking a risk and putting yourself out there in a circumstance where you will either be affirmed or turned down takes a lot of courage and is a great learning experience.”