Truman Tradition

The College of Business and Public Administration has a long tradition of acclaimed Truman Scholarship winners dating back to 1978 to 2011 with UND Students awarded scholarships most recently in 2010 and 2011.

The Truman Scholarship Foundation was established by Congress in 1975 as the federal memorial to our thirty-third President. The Foundation awards scholarships for college students to attend graduate school in preparation for careers in government or elsewhere in public service. The activities of the Foundation are supported by a special trust fund in the US Treasury. There have been 2730 Truman Scholars elected since the first awards were made in 1977.

Students are elected by sixteen independent selection panels on the basis of leadership potential, intellectual ability, and likelihood of 'making a difference.' Each Scholarship provides up to $30,000 for graduate study. Scholars also receive priority admission and supplemental financial aid at some of the premier graduate institutions, leadership training, career and graduate school counseling, and special internship opportunities within the federal government. Recipients must be US citizens, have outstanding leadership potential and communication skills, be in the top quarter of their class, and be committed to careers in government or the not-for-profit sector.

The College of Business & Public Administration is proud to acknowledge the great accomplishments of our most recent Truman Scholarship Winners as well as the well-established tradition from our distinguished Alumni.

UND WINNERS – Where are we now?

1978         Karen Rehwaldt – Sand                       
               1981 BA Political Science/Economics 
               Employer: Sand Iron & Steel – Treasurer
               Grafton, ND

1979         Michael Liffrig
               1981 BA Economics  
               1985 JD University of Michigan Ann Arbor  
               Employer: First Court, Inc. - Bismarck, ND

 "The Truman Scholarship has kept my mind focused on public service and government affairs for many years. As a result of that focus, I was willing to make a long shot bid for the United States Senate in 2004. That campaign opened many doors for my legal consulting business, as folks in most parts of the United States are quite impressed by the idea of running a statewide race for such a high traffic office. Also, has a direct result of the Scholarship, I was willing to run for and serve as States Attorney in Oliver County from 2006 until 2010."

 1982        Cynthia Beyer-Ulrich               
               1984 BA History/Political Science  
               1988 JD University of North Dakota  
               Employer: CH2M Hill –OMI, Municipal Service Contract Manager  
               Littleton, Colorado

1983         Peggy Kuhn 
               1985 BPA Economics  
               Employer: Self Employed – Public Policy Consultant  
               Formerly, US Senate Banking Committee/Sr. Financial Economist 
               Arlington, VA

  1984       Jenifer Urff 
               1986 BA Journalism/Political Science Minor Psychology 
               1989 JD University of Michigan  
                Employer: Advocates for Human Potential, Inc  
                Florence, MA

"Being awarded a Truman Scholarship encouraged me to go to law school, and it inspired me to explore ways that I could use my law degree outside of a traditional legal practice to shape policy and improve people's lives.  It also helped open career doors for me; many employers, especially in non-profit organizations – saw that I was a Truman Scholar and knew that I was committed to their mission."

1984       Kathy Hill

1988       Denise Flanagan  
             1990 BPA Public Administration/Political Science – University of North Dakota
             1991 MPA with a concentration in Public Finance, Maxwell School of Citizenship &  
             Public Affairs at Syracuse University. 2007 MS in National Resources Strategy at the
             Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University 
             Employer: Director of Budget for the US Department of Interior 
             Washington, DC

 1990      Sarah Fugleberg – Flatness              
             1995 BA Journalism 
             Employer: State Farm Companies Foundation  

1992       Mark Ewen 
             1992 BA Political Science & Economics – University of North Dakota 
             1995 MPP University of Michigan 
             Employer: Industrial Economics – Principal and Managing Director 
             Cambridge, MA

"The scholarship certainly cemented my interest in matters of public policy, and was important, I think, in my acceptance into graduate school. The scholarship also facilitated professional networking opportunities and a wonderful summer internship experience at the U.S. Congressional Budget Office. All of this contributed to the arc of my professional career, which involves, primarily, consulting with various federal and state agencies on the economic effects of environmental policy."

 1998       Jonathan Sickler 
              1999 BA Political Science/Minor Criminal Justice  
              2002 JD Harvard Law School  
              Employer: Weil, Gotshal & Manges – Lawyer 
              Washington, D.C

 "The Truman Scholarship changed my life in a couple different ways.  First, I was exposed to a diverse group of very intelligent, highly motivated, and talented students who at a young age has already begun to apply their skills to a range of causes and public service initiatives. The second way the Truman Scholarship changed my life was by the doors it opened. The Truman Foundation does a great job of introducing Scholars to various leaders in politics, government, think tanks, media, non-profits and other areas of public service.  Perhaps the biggest overall impact on me has been the wonderful friends I made through the Truman Scholar program who continue to motivate and inspire me to serve the public interest as much as when I first met them."

2001     McLain J. 'Mac' Schneider 
           2002 BA History/Minor Political Science  
           Employer: Attorney, Schneider  
           State Senator – District 42

"I would say the best thing about being a Truman Scholar is the chance to meet so many bright, kind-hearted people. It's been over a decade since my class was selected, but I still count dozens of Truman Scholars as good friends. Beyond that, the Truman foundation's summer program allowed me to work in Washington, DC, which opened the door to a full-time job with former Congressman Earl Pomeroy, who helped me tremendously in becoming involved in public service in North Dakota. So the scholarship has played a big part in my life, and the money for law school is probably the least of it."

2010      Grant Hauschild  
             2011 Political Science & Public Administration  
             Employer: Community & Economic Development Specialist  
             Department of Agriculture-Rural Development
             Washington D.C.

 2011      Erin Barta  
             Senior, University of North Dakota  
             Political Science and Honors/Minor in English        

 Note:  UND had finalists in 2003, 2005, and 2009