Middle Eastern Studies major is named a 2009 Truman Scholar

Alexander Merkovic-Orenstein, who helped co-found the Global Peace Exchange, has been named a 2009 Truman Scholar, one of only 60 in the nation. As part of the scholarship, the 20-year-old from Tequesta, Fla. will receive $30,000 for graduate school, as well as leadership training and special internship opportunities within the federal government. Having completed his B.A. in three years, Merkovic-Orenstein plans to attend the School of Oriental and African Studies in London in Fall 2009. Established in 1975, the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation says that scholarship 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.” Read more about the 2009 Truman Scholars at http://www.truman.gov/scholar_listing/scholar_listing.htm