UA Student Selected as a Rhodes District Finalist

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Aletha Edmondson, a University of Arkansas Honors College student majoring in history and Russian studies in the Fulbright College of Arts and Science and native of Rogers, Ark., recently joined more than 100 students to participate in Rhodes Scholarship interviews as a district finalist.

Edmondson traveled to Atlanta, Ga., with other finalists from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and Mississippi. More than 900 top students applied for Rhodes Scholarships from across the country, and the 32 Rhodes Scholars were named Saturday, Nov. 20.

Edmondson advanced to district interviews after an impressive showing in state interviews where she joined UA students Heather Claney, Ehrin Hartz and Emily Puckett in Little Rock for the competition.

"The Rhodes Scholarship competition is fierce," said Chancellor John A. White. "I am delighted that four students from the University of Arkansas were selected as Rhodes state finalists, and I could not be happier that Aletha was selected by the state committee to participate in the final district interview."

The Rhodes Scholarship, the oldest international fellowship, was initiated after the death of Cecil Rhodes in 1902. The scholarship is intended to bring outstanding students from many countries around the world to the University of Oxford. The first American Scholars were elected in 1904.

Rhodes Scholars are elected for two years of study at the University of Oxford, with the possibility of renewal for a third year. All educational costs, such as tuition, laboratory and fees, are paid on the scholar's behalf by the Rhodes Trustees.

Although not selected as a Rhodes Scholar, Edmondson enjoyed the interview process, saying, "It was an exciting but humbling experience. The other candidates were outstanding, and I truly did not expect to be making travel arrangements for Atlanta.

"I enjoyed the interview especially when the topic turned to Russian history," she added. "It is my favorite topic of conversation, and I am sure that helped."

"These interviews are very difficult, but I am not at all surprised to see that Aletha advanced to the district," commented Don Bobbitt, dean of Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. "Students are asked questions covering a wide range of topics beyond their field of study, from current events to ancient history. Aletha loves facts; she loves history. At the district level, everyone is worthy, and on a different day, the committee might pick a different four. It takes heart to willingly go through such a process, and Fulbright College is extremely proud of Aletha."

Below is a list of the four Rhodes Scholars selected from District IV (Ala., Ark., Fla., Ga., La., Miss., Tenn.):

Swati Mylavarapu, Gainesville, is a senior at Harvard concentrating in human rights in international development. She will do the M.Phil. in Economic and Social History at Oxford.

Joseph F. Preston, Vero Beach, is a senior at the United States Naval Academy where he majors in information technology. At Oxford, he will do the M.Phil. in Comparative Philology and General Linguistics.

Jeremy D. Farris, Bonaire, is a senior at the Georgia Institute of Technology where he majors in international affairs. He will do the M.Phil. in Political Theory at Oxford.

Justin D. Mutter, Lookout Mountain, is a 2003 graduate of the University of Virginia where he majored in Modern Studies and Religious Studies. Justin intends to do the M.Phil. in Theology at Oxford.