Junior from Seattle wins Harry S. Truman Scholarship to study Middle East relations and security concerns, nuclear proliferation

Katelyn Lawrenz, a junior political science major from Seattle, has won a Harry S. Truman Scholarship, one of 62 awarded in 2013 to college juniors who want to dedicate their lives to public service.

Lawrenz was nominated by Dan Palazzolo, a political science professor and the Truman Scholarship Foundation faculty representative at Richmond. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in international affairs or security studies, with a focus on nuclear proliferation and security concerns in the Middle East.

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation was created in 1975 by Congress as the official federal memorial to the 33rd president. It awards 50 – 75 scholarships annually to juniors who display leadership qualities, such as strong communication skills, academic ability and a demonstrated record of campus and community service. Winners receive $30,000 for graduate school study, a 10-week internship in Washington, D.C., priority admission to certain graduate schools and access to the network of Truman scholars. Past winners include Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, U.S. Sen. Chris Coons, U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice and George Stephanopoulos.