Skip to main content
Skip to main content

Umd Junior Named 2012 Truman Scholar

May 11, 2012 History

History major earns Truman Scholarship.

History major earns Truman Scholarship.

University of Maryland junior Brock McIntosh has been named a 2012 Truman Scholar by the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation. The prestigious national scholarship recognizes leadership, intellectual ability and potential to 'make a difference' and are presented each year to college juniors from across the country. Recipients must have outstanding leadership potential and communication skills, be in the top quarter of their class, and be committed to careers in government or the not-for-profit sector.

McIntosh is a double major in history and sociology. Following his high school graduation, McIntosh enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard and currently serves on active duty. In 2008, McIntosh deployed to Afghanistan for 10 months -- serving as a military police officer in "Operation Enduring Freedom."

Since returning from his tour of duty in 2009, McIntosh has become a leader and advocate of non-violence conflict resolution -- frequently speaking on the topic across the country. He is currently the youngest board member of the Iraq Veterans Against the War and its only active-duty member. While at Maryland, he has interned at the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights and Win Without War, Center for International Policy.

"I, along with the entire University of Maryland community, are proud and honored by Brock's accomplishment," said President Wallace D. Loh. "Brock's academic success, military service, and dedicated civic engagement have distinguished him from his peers, not just on the College Park campus, but throughout the country. We congratulate Brock on this award and his continued commitment to public service."McIntosh is the recipient of numerous military honors and awards, including the Army Achievement Medal, and was awarded the University of Maryland President's Transfer Scholarship.

McIntosh is one of 54 students from 48 U.S. universities and colleges selected for this honor. The 2012 Truman Scholars were selected from a pool of 587 nominated applicants and 191 finalists, and are chosen by a selection panel, which typically includes a university president, a federal judge, a distinguished public servant and a past Truman Scholarship winner.

Each Truman scholarship provides up to $30,000 for graduate study. Scholars also receive priority admission and supplemental financial aid at some premier graduate institutions, leadership training, career and graduate school counseling, and special internship opportunities within the federal government.

The Truman Scholarship Foundation was established by Congress in 1975 as the federal memorial to our thirty-third 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. There have been 2730 Truman Scholars elected since the first awards were made in 1977.