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CONTACT
Kerry-Ann Hamilton
Media Relations Manager
202.437.7889
k_hamilton@howard.edu
Howard
University Junior Named Truman
Scholar
Photo by Justin D. Knight
Hamilton Cunningham, a junior
economics major, is Howard
University recipient
of the 2009 Truman Scholarship.
WASHINGTON
(March 31, 2009) - Hamilton
Cunningham was recently named
a 2009 Truman Scholar. Cunningham
is Howard University’s
sixth Truman Scholar since
1989.
He
is one of only 60 students
from 55 colleges and universities
across the nation selected
for this honor. More than
600 candidates were nominated
for the award by 289 colleges
and universities. The prestigious
Truman Scholarship provides
up to $30,000 for graduate
study. It is awarded annually
to students who have excelled
academically and are committed
to careers in public service.
Cunningham,
an economics major in the
College of Arts and Sciences
(COAS), plans to pursue a
Masters of Arts in Art Policy
and Administration. The Atlanta
native is a high achieving
student with diverse extra-curricular
interests. Last year, he was
a trumpet instructor at a
local arts organization. The
music enthusiast’s career
goals include working to expand
access to arts education,
increasing jazz awareness
and appreciation, and generally
increasing cultural literacy
among Americans.
"While recently serving
as a trumpet instructor, I
realized that although the
experience was rewarding,
I could have a much bigger
impact on jazz education by
pursuing senior administrative
positions," Cunningham
said. "Being named as
a 2009 Truman Scholar will
be a sterling stage on which
to begin my quest to keep
jazz music alive in the minds
of Americans."
Cunningham
received an Associate of Science
degree in music from Georgia
Perimeter College before transferring
to Howard University in summer
2007. He is an example of
the University’s focus
on increasing its population
of high achieving transfer
students. He earned a Jack
Kent Cooke Scholarship, which
is awarded to outstanding
students transferring from
community colleges.
Regarding
the announcement of the Truman
award, Howard University President
Sidney A. Ribeau congratulated
Cunningham on his high national
achievement and thanked his
faculty mentors and the COAS
Honors Council for their support
of his Truman application
and general academic and personal
development.
About
the Truman Scholarship
The
Truman Scholarship Foundation
was established by Congress
in 1975 as the federal memorial
to the nation’s 33rd
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. Since 1977,
when the award was established,
the Foundation has selected
2670 Truman Scholars.
Founded in 1867, students
pursue studies in more than
120 areas leading to undergraduate,
graduate and professional
degrees. Since 1998, the University
has produced two Rhodes Scholars,
two Truman Scholars, 19 Fulbright
Scholars and 10 Pickering
Fellows. Howard also produces
more on-campus African- American
Ph.D.s than any other university
in the world. For more information
about Howard University, call
202-238-2330, or visit the
University's Web site at www.howard.edu.
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