Schools

Cal State Long Beach Grad Named Rhodes Scholar

Stephanie Bryson is one of 32 Americans to earn the honor and CSULB's first. The 2011 valedictorian was an international studies major and trained and supervised Del Mar lifeguards.

Stephanie J. Bryson, California State University Long Beach's 2011 valedictorian, was named a Rhodes Scholar on Sunday, the college's first.

(New profile of then-varsity swimmer who nearly dropped out of high school due to press and poor grades http://patch.com/A-nSkN)

Bryson was among 32 Americans chosen by The Rhodes Trust from among 830 finalists applying from 299 colleges and universities for the prestigious honor. A spokeswoman said Sunday night that the U.S. had the most winners, followed by Canada with 11 students chosen.

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Announced by the Rhodes Trust, Bryson was the valedictorian at Cal State Long Beach's May graduation ceremony. She is also a graduate of Torrey Pines High School in San Diego.

The Rhodes Trust, a British charity, provides full financial support for Rhodes Scholars to pursue a degree or degrees at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. The first American Rhodes Scholars entered Oxford in 1904.

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Bryson earned her B.A. summa cum laude in international studies, with a concentration in Western Europe and a minor in political science.

She is now at Georgetown University, pursuing an M.A. in German and
European studies.

Bryson spent a year at the Humboldt University in Berlin and while there she participated in a U.S.-German forum for young leaders and served as an American cultural ambassador to the U.S. Embassy.

Bryson also was an intern with the U.S. Mission to the European Union in Brussels and a volunteer with the Wounded Warriors Project, teaching veterans water sports to help them readjust to civilian life.

She also trained and supervised lifeguards in Del Mar.

Bryson will use her scholarship to study for a master's degree of philosophy in politics.

Rhodes Scholarships provide all expenses for two or three years of study at England's University of Oxford and are considered the most famous academic award available to American college graduates.

They are the oldest and best known award for international study.

The Rhodes Scholarships were created in 1902 by the will of Cecil Rhodes, a British philanthropist, African colonial pioneer and founder of the De Beers diamond company.

Scholarship recipients are chosen based on criteria established in Rhodes' will, said Elliot F. Gerson, the American secretary of The Rhodes Trust, which chooses the Rhodes Scholars.

"These criteria are: high academic achievement, integrity of character, a spirit of unselfishness, respect for others, potential for leadership and physical vigor,'' Gerson said.

"These basic characteristics are directed at fulfilling Mr. Rhodes' hopes that the Rhodes Scholars would make an effective and positive contribution throughout the world.

In Rhodes' words, his scholars should "esteem the performance of public duties as their highest aim.'' In addition to the United States, Rhodes Scholars are chosen from former British colonies and Germany. Past Rhodes Scholars include former President Bill Clinton.


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