Scholar Names S-Z
Sexton, Jay
US University: University of Kansas
UK University: Magdalen College, Oxford
Subject: Modern History
A brilliant young historian from the
University of Kansas, Jay Sexton has the right balance for an ideal Marshall
Scholar of intellectual confidence and leadership quality. He has progressed
from being a twelve-year-old drummer boy - civil war re-enactments - to
specialising in Anglo-American relations during the US Civil War, in which he
has conducted extensive research. He has an impressive grade point average of
3.9. He intends to complete his research on Britain's role during the
American Civil War by returning to the University of Oxford to study an MLitt
in Modern History.
Jay shows exceptional
potential to mould public opinion and influence political leaders to learn the
lessons of history before establishing their policies. He is, as well, a person
with strong moral convictions and a commitment to serve society, as
demonstrated by his extensive work with and for disadvantaged and at-risk young
people. A two-time State tennis champion in high school, he has already been a
member of the Oxford University Lawn Tennis Club (Summers 1993-7). Jay is also
an accomplished ballet dancer and performed at the Leid Center, the University
Performing Arts Center in 1997. Other non-academic activities include tutoring
for literacy, tennis instructor, and democratic party volunteer.
Spence, Matthew J
US University: Stanford University
UK University: Oxford University
Subject: Russian & East European
Matt Spence is pursuing a DPhil at Oxford in International
Relations, studying the impact of American democracy promotion in
former Communist countries. Matt graduated from Stanford Phi
Beta Kappa with a BA in Political Science, and a masters degree
in International Policy Studies. At Stanford, Matt placed 5th in the
world in debate, and continues to debate for the Oxford Union. He
recently served as an elections monitor in Kosovo, and aspires to a
career in foreign policy. Matt loves travel, cooking, theater, and
college football (the real, American kind).
Stewart, Sarah
US University: Miami University (OH)
UK University: London School of Tropical Medicine
Subject: Medicine & Public Health in Developing Countries
Sarah Stewart of East
Peoria, Illinois, is a remarkable student, blending academic achievement with a
passionate commitment and vision towards international health care, and ability
to lead people and orchestrate resources.
As a dedicated and
intelligent student, she received a BA in Chemistry and as member of Phi Beta
Kappa, she was on the Dean's list all four years and on the
President's List the last three. She is a winner of a number of academic
scholarships and awards, and has already produced four publications in the area
of spectroscopy. Her experiences in Haiti, India, and Namibia demonstrate an
unusual capacity for organisation and effectiveness in very difficult
situations. Sarah maintains rigorous academic schedules and programs of
research and yet still finds time to contribute to the community in substantial
ways. She has worked with senior citizens in a nursing home, assisted at an
abused women shelter, taught Sunday school, worked for Habitat for Humanity and
founded Friends of Haiti, an organisation designed to provide assistance to
that underdeveloped country. In short, Sarah has demonstrated both commitment
and an ability to become a powerful advocate for the health care in the future.
Ward, Robert Lawrence
US University: University of New Mexico
UK University: Oxford University
Subject: Physics
Robert Ward, from
Albuquerque, New Mexico is not only a physicist with a gift for explaining the
highly technical in clear simple terms, but a gifted actor with the ability to
perform to the same level of excellence in the humanities as in the sciences. A
winner of numerous academic awards, Robert is active in student life and in
sports. As well as volunteering at the University of New Mexico Crisis Centre,
he is an active tutor and mentor in his High School, giving back to that
community as well as to his University. He was instrumental in establishing the
Odysseus programme, (a success oriented workshop for targeted, underprivileged
9th graders), in Albuquerque's public high schools. Robert will use his
Marshall Scholarship to study physics at Oxford with a world-leading quantum
computing group.
Weinberg, Richard
US University: Columbia University
UK University: University of Cambridge
Subject: Chemistry
A brilliantly gifted
21 year old with a perfect record in Biochemistry at Columbia University, New
York. With an infectious enthusiasm for his work in biochemistry Richard has
already earned the respect from several leaders in his field. He has many
personal and non-academic interests, tutoring with Columbia University Mentoring
Program and at home in Miami volunteering at Mount Sinai Medical Center. A keen
volleyball player, Richard enjoys listening opera and classical music while he
is cooking. He is the recipient of many awards and grants and is currently a
Barry M Goldwater Science Scholar, he is planning on using his Marshall
Scholarship to study Chemistry at the University of Cambridge.
Wiik, Katherine
US University: Macalester College
UK University: Queen's University
Subject: Comparative Ethnic Conflict
Katherine of Shoreview, MN, is an accomplished and talented individual who
graduated Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude from Macalester College in
2000, with a double major in Gender Studies and Communications. During her
scholarship tenure, she will complete an MA in Ethnic Conflict and an LLM
in Human Rights Law at Queen's University, Belfast. Using her deep
commitment to social justice issues and her charismatic leadership
abilities, she intends to study law and pursue a career in public interest
law or public policy. Deeply involved in mock trial debates in college, she
shows great promise as a litigator and powerful advocate against injustice,
and a remarkable potential for continuing on to significant positions in
society. Katherine has a steadfast record of contributions to serving
others, working at a Twin Cities shelter for battered women, as a legal
intern at a center for women in Minneapolis, and most recently as an intern
at the Committee on the Administration of Justice, a human rights NGO in
Belfast. She is also a talented violinist.
Willis, Avery T
US University: Stanford University
UK University: Oxford University
Subject: Greek Language & Literature
Born in New Jersey,
Avery Willis is an outstanding mix of scholar and artist who graduated in
Classics and English from Stanford University, California. Her deep love for
the classics, in particular the literature of Ancient Greece, provides
inspiration for her playwriting and her filmmaking. (Post award, it was
revealed that in 1963 her father (now a Princeton Professor) was the first
Afro-American to win a Marshall Scholarship - these are talented genes indeed!)
In addition to the classics, Avery finds time to write, produce and direct
plays, and to take part in polo matches. She also enjoys theatre and jazz. She
is the recipient of many awards and prizes. Avery will use her
Marshall to take a degree in Greek Languages and Literature at Oxford
University in England. Ultimately she wishes to become a University Professor
and to continue her creative work in the theatre, TV and film industries.
