American Rhodes Scholarships Winners 2016 Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC/November 21, 2015 – Elliot F. Gerson, American Secretary of the Rhodes Trust, today announced the names of the thirty-two American men and women chosen as Rhodes Scholars representing the United States. Rhodes Scholarships provide all expenses for two or three years of study at the University of Oxford in England and may allow funding in some instances for four years. Mr. Gerson called the Rhodes Scholarships, "the oldest and best known award for international study, and arguably the most famous academic award available to American college graduates." They were created in 1902 by the Will of Cecil Rhodes, British philanthropist and African colonial pioneer, and are provided in partnership with the Second Century Founder, John McCall MacBain and other generous benefactors. The first class of American Rhodes Scholars entered Oxford in 1904; those elected today will enter Oxford in October 2016.

Rhodes Scholars are chosen in a two-stage process. First, applicants must be endorsed by their college or university. This year approximately 2000 students sought their institution’s endorsement; 869 were endorsed by 316 different colleges and universities. Committees of Selection in each of 16 U.S. districts then invite the strongest applicants to appear before them for interview.

DISTRICT 9

Indiana

John (Jay) C. Ruckelshaus IV, Indianapolis, is a senior at Duke University, where he majors in Political Science and minors in Philosophy, History, and English. He has a passion for combining advocacy, politics, and philosophy to help marginalized populations. Shortly before he was scheduled to begin his undergraduate studies at Duke, he broke his neck and severely injured his spinal cord in a diving accident. Despite his quadriplegia, he went on to earn many distinguished awards, including the Duke Faculty Scholars Award, a fellowship to New College, Oxford, a Truman Scholarship, and an internship with Governor Mike Pence. Jay founded the nonprofit Ramp Less Traveled, Inc. to support students with spinal cord injuries in the pursuit of higher education. Jay serves as a student representative on the Duke University Board of Trustees, in Duke Student Government, and as co-founder and co-editor of the Eruditio and Duke Political Science Standard academic journals. He will do an M.Phil. in Political Theory at Oxford.
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DISTRICT 14

Oregon

Jared C. Milfred, Portland, is a senior at Yale University, where he will receive a B.A. in Ethics, Politics, and Economics. He has combined research in political theory and political science with a passion for social justice advocacy and campaign finance reform. He founded the nonpartisan student advocacy organizations Democracy United, serves as the Chief Executive of the National Council of City Public Financing Agencies, and chairs the City of New Haven Campaign Finance Board. Jared worked as a speechwriter for U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch and is Editor-in-Chief of Yale’s Journal of Political Thought, as well as the Ethics Editor of the Yale Philosophy Review. He volunteers as an EMT for Yale Emergency Medical Services and as a reader for blind students at Yale’s Office on Disabilities. At age 17, Jared became the youngest licensed nuclear reactor operator in the United States. He will pursue an M.Phil. in Political Theory at Oxford.

List of US Students Named as Rhodes Scholars for 2016

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS NOV. 22, 2015, 3:33 A.M. E.S.T.

The 32 American students chosen as Rhodes scholars for 2016, listed by geographic region, as provided by the Office of the American Secretary of the Rhodes Trust:

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