For Immediate Release

March 28 , 2008

nebraska wesleyan university student earns one of nation's highest academic honors

LINCOLN, Neb. —As a young farm girl, Desereé Johnston thought the only way to find "international culture" in her small northern Nebraska community was through her imagination. So she dug a hole in her parents' backyard, hoping to find China.

Little did she know that one day she would be named a Truman Scholar, an honor that will provide her the opportunity to pursue graduate degrees in Foreign Service and public policy.

On March 25, the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation named Johnston one of 65 scholars in the nation to win the prestigious award.

“I am thrilled that I now have the avenues that will help me pursue my passion for public service,” said Johnston. “Working to promote rural development, assisting the impoverished, and creating policy have become very realistic. I am anxious to see where this will take me.”

The junior political science major from Orchard was selected from a pool of 595 national candidates. Scholars were selected based on leadership potential, intellectual ability, and likelihood of "making a difference." The scholarship provides $30,000 toward graduate study. Scholars receive priority admission and supplemental financial aid at premier graduate institutions, leadership training, and special internship opportunities within the federal government.

The Truman Scholarship selection panel honored Johnston on her passion for and experience with rural development, including:

• Tsunami reconstruction in Sri Lanka
• Assistance to the Ngobe of Panama
• Care for AIDS patients in Swaziland
• Advocacy for Tibetan refugees in India

"Desereé Johnston is an accomplished Nebraska Wesleyan student who has taken good advantage of the opportunities available here for learning in and out of the classroom,” said Nebraska Wesleyan University President Fred Ohles. “All of us on campus are thrilled that she has won this well-deserved honor."

Johnston plans to pursue a three-year joint degree program in Foreign Service and public policy. Her career goals include work with the U.S. Agency for International Development, focusing on crisis, stabilization, and governance and eventually the U.S. Department of State to work on foreign policy.

In addition to her interest in foreign policy, Johnston continues to share her passion for dance. This year, for example, Johnston established an after-school dance program in the Lincoln Public Schools, where she works with many students from disadvantaged and culturally-diverse backgrounds. Her goal is to include all 37 elementary schools and 10 middle schools in the after-school dance program and eventually host a recital for the students.

“Even though I cannot change their lives at home, through dance I am able to heighten their self esteem, improve coordination, increase the desire to attend school, and formulate stronger peer relationships,” said Johnston. “In Lincoln I am no longer dancing alone.”

This is the fourth time the Truman Scholarship has been bestowed on a Nebraska Wesleyan University student. The award was established in 1975 as the federal memorial to the 33rd president. Recipients must be U.S. citizens, 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.

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