Guest post from RADM J. Scott Burhoe, Superintendent, U.S. Coast Guard Academy:
I am proud to announce that Second-Class Cadet Melissa McCafferty (pictured with former Justice Sandra Day O'Connor), a Government major from Newberry, MI, was just awarded a Truman Scholarship as part of the 2010 selection process. She is the third Coast Guard Academy recipient in the past three years (with LTJG DeCarol Davis receiving the honor in 2008, and then Cadet Alex LeKander in 2009). This is truly an amazing accomplishment reflecting the talent in our Corps of Cadets and the rigor of our academic and cadet programs.
Truman Scholarships are awarded based on the student's commitment to public service, record of leadership, and likelihood of success in the graduate school program proposed by the student. This year the Truman Scholarship Foundation received 576 applications from 245 colleges and universities. About 1 in 10 applicants receive a scholarship.
It is also worth mentioning that last month Cadet McCafferty took home the Regional (Top) Attorney Award at the American Mock Trial Association's All-East Regional Tournament. Each year this event, held at the University of Maryland's School of Law in Baltimore, fields teams from the likes of Georgetown, George Washington, American, Johns Hopkins and William and Mary.
Melissa was also a key player on the Bears Woman's Rugby Team, which had an overall season record of 6-0 last year losing only to their arch-rival MIT in the last game of the season.
Congratulations Melissa. Go Bears!
