Ogumoro, a senior at EOU this year, is one of 60 college students who will receive awards from the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation. She will receive up to $30,000 in funding toward a graduate degree in a public service field.
A total of 602 candidates nominated by 264 colleges and universities across the United States applied for the scholarship this year. Ogumoro was elected on the basis of her leadership potential, intellectual ability and likelihood of “making a difference” by 17 independent selection panels.
EOU President Bob Davies was the bearer of the good news and made a surprise visit to Ogumoro’s English class on Monday last week.
“This is an incredible achievement for Rellani and for EOU,” Davies said. “A Truman Scholar exemplifies our commitment to academic excellence and points to the outstanding education our university provides.”
Ogumoro said she was stunned when Davies made the announcement.
“I am honored to be a part of President Truman’s living legacy. I am still in disbelief and can’t even begin to explain any of these feelings,” she said.
“After learning that larger schools have classes and committees specifically for aiding students with the whole Truman process, I was worried that I would not be a strong competitor. “Now, I understand that my whole experience at EOU prepared me for this instead.”
Ogumoro is following in the footsteps of her mother, Lauri Bennett Ogumoro, who shares a passion for helping others. Lauri works at a women’s shelter on Saipan called Guma Esperansa, or House of Hope.
Lauri is originally from La Grande and graduated from EOU in 1982. Ogumoro’s father, Jack Ogumoro, is also an EOU alumnus from the same year.
