Honors student Deep Shah has been named a recipient of a 2007 Harry S. Truman Scholarship, a leading national award for academically outstanding juniors who plan to pursue careers in public service.
Shah, who is pursuing a double major in international affairs and genetics, is the only student from the state of Georgia selected as a Truman Scholar this year. He is among 65 recipients selected nationwide from among 585 candidates. His selection gives UGA a total of
14 Truman Scholars, including four in the past five years.
“This award is not only a credit to Deep Shah, but also to the quality of the education he has received at UGA and to the faculty who have worked closely with him as mentors and teachers,” said UGA President Michael F. Adams.
The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation was established as a living memorial to the former U.S. president who was dedicated to education and public service. The scholarships provide up to $30,000 for graduate study to students who want to be “change agents” in society through public service careers in nonprofit organizations, government agencies or educational institutions.
“Deep is an outstanding student and person, and an excellent choice for this prestigious award,” said David S. Williams, director of UGA’s Honors Program. “In addition to his academic accomplishments, he has a very strong and remarkable record of service and leadership activities, both on and off campus. I expect great things from him in the future.”
Shah is part of the Foundation Fellows Program, UGA’s premier undergraduate scholarship program. He also has been involved in campus activities that support his career aspirations in domestic health policy. A main focus has been serving as co-founder and current president of Roosevelt@UGA, a student-run think tank whose members research and write policy proposals addressing current national issues. As a result, Shah was recently interviewed for an article on student activism in The Chronicle of Higher Education.
He also served as one of six presenters on a student panel at a conference held at UGA in January to mark the 30th anniversary of former President Jimmy Carter’s inauguration.
“I am grateful to the Truman Foundation for the many opportunities this scholarship will provide me,” said Shah, who plans to pursue both a graduate degree in public policy and an M.D. “My success is simply a reflection of the time and energy spent by my mentors and family in preparing me.”
