Christopher Sopher, a junior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has been awarded the distinguished Truman Scholarship, worth up to $30,000 for graduate studies toward a public service-related degree.
Christopher Sopher, a junior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has been awarded the distinguished Truman Scholarship, worth up to $30,000 for graduate studies toward a public service-related degree.
Sopher, the son of Terry and Harriet Sopher of Annandale, Va., graduated from Annandale High School in 2006. A double major in public policy and political science in UNC’s College of Arts and Sciences, he hopes to use the award to complete a joint law and public policy master’s degree program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and law school. His focus will be on the news media, politics and public policy.
A Morehead-Cain Scholar at Carolina, Sopher ultimately wants to specialize in education policy in Washington, D.C. Currently, he said, public education is not realizing its potential to help millions of students. Sopher hopes to find new approaches that make school relevant and engaging for students.
“Education is the silver bullet,” he said. “It can power democracy, foster freedom where none exists and sustain it where it does. But to do so it must connect with students’ lives and to the community – and there are many promising ideas for how to achieve this.”
Sopher was one of 60 students from 54 U.S. colleges and universities to receive 2010 Truman awards. He was chosen from 576 applicants nominated by 245 colleges and universities.
“Chris is a wonderful example of a Carolina student who has made the most of the opportunities available to undergraduates,” said Chancellor Holden Thorp. “We wish Chris all the best in taking what he learns as a Truman Scholar and applying that knowledge to the noble goal of improving public education in America.”
Congress created the Truman Scholarship Foundation in 1975 as the official federal memorial to the nation’s 33rd president. The foundation seeks to find and recognize college juniors with exceptional leadership potential who are committed to careers in government, the nonprofit or advocacy sectors, education or elsewhere in public service.
Besides funding, scholars receive priority admission and supplemental financial aid at some premier graduate institutions, leadership training, career and graduate school counseling and internship opportunities in the federal government. Recipients must be U.S. citizens, have outstanding leadership potential and communication skills and be in the top quarter of their class.
Sopher said UNC’s strong emphasis on public service influences students such as himself who lean toward careers in that arena: “I’ve visited a few other schools and not seen the same sort of dedication to helping others and building communities that exists here, and it’s made all the difference.”
Of 32 Truman Scholars from UNC since the program began in 1977, 19 have been Morehead-Cain Scholars. A full, four-year merit award to UNC, the Morehead-Cain also funds four summer enrichment experiences.
At Carolina, Sopher has worked as a writer and multimedia editor at the Daily Tar Heel student newspaper. He was a founding vice president of Strive for College, a national nonprofit organization. Strive starts local chapters of college students to mentor qualified low-income high school students through the college application process. Sopher, active with the Carolina Young Democrats, worked in the Obama campaign in 2008.
Sopher said that W. Hodding Carter III, UNC professor of leadership and public policy, had significantly influenced his direction in life. “I would also like to thank staff at the Morehead-Cain Foundation and the Office of Distinguished Scholarships for all their support. This University has an incredible environment that is about much more than just going to class.”
Truman Foundation Web site: http://truman.gov/
Morehead-Cain Foundation Web site: http://www.moreheadcain.org/
Photo URL: http://uncnews.unc.edu/images/stories/news/students/2010/sopher_christopher_10.jpg
Note: Sopher can be reached at cksopher@email.unc.edu
Office of Distinguished Scholarships contact: Linda Dykstra, (919) 962-6595, ldykstra@unc.edu
News Services contact: LJ Toler, (919) 962-8589