Jessica Swan couldn't sleep Monday. Excitement, joy andgratitude kept her tossing and turning most of the night.
The University of Memphis senior is the school's first everrecipient of the prestigious Truman Scholarship.
"I went to bed at 11 p.m. and woke up at 2 a.m.," Swan said. "Iwanted to go running, but the park didn't open until four, so I didsome school work."
It was that kind of drive that underscores what her coworkersdescribe as "superhuman" dedication.
Though award winners will not be officially announced untilTuesday, University president Shirley Raines received earlynotification.
Raines and University Honors Program director Melinda Jonessurprised Swan with the news.
"They tricked me into thinking I was going to dinner," Swansaid.
After months of extensive applications and interviews, inaddition to Swan's tireless work at Catholic Charities, Inc. andmaintaining a 4.0 grade point average, the Truman Foundationawarded her one of the most competitive scholarships in thenation.
"She kept telling me how grateful she was," said Chandra Tuggle,Swan's coworker at Catholic Charities.
The Truman Scholarship is a $26,000 award given out in two parts-- $2,000 for the recipient's senior year at the undergraduatelevel and $24,000 for graduate study. The merit-based scholarshipis awarded to undergraduates planning to attend professional orgraduate school in preparation for careers in public service orgovernment.
"When Jessica gave me the letter of recommendation form, shedidn't think she had a chance," Tuggle said. "I saw the applicationcriteria and told her that she embodies all of those qualities andcharacteristics."
Swan started volunteer work there when she was 12 years old,which led to employment.
"I started my job there at (age) 16, as soon as I could legallywork," Swan said. "I'm so grateful to both The University andCatholic Charities for all of their support during this wholeprocess."
Swan's application was chosen from 200 finalists from 134universities.
She was one of two U of M finalists for the scholarship thisyear. Amy C. Jackson was also a finalist for the award.
"It's difficult enough to get one finalist for this award,"Jones said. "The fact that we had two this year says a lot aboutthe students' efforts."
Swan, senior sociology major in the Honors Program, willgraduate in August. She is completing her honors thesis insociology.
"I think I may take some time off to figure out exactly what Iwant to do," she said. "The Truman Foundation is very supportive ofthat. They want to make sure their money is going to a worthycause."
The application process for the Truman Scholarship includessubmitting a policy proposal to lawmakers identifying a specificsocial problem and posing possible solutions, said Jones, U of Mrepresentative for the Truman Scholarship Foundation.
"If it hadn't of been for Dr. Jones, I would have never appliedfor this scholarship," Swan said. She was approached about theopportunity her freshman year and began the yearlong applicationprocess in April 2003.
The United States Congress established the Truman ScholarshipFoundation in 1975 as a memorial to the 33rd president. Awardwinners must exhibit leadership potential, intellectual ability andthe potential and desire to make a difference in society.
