UCO Student Beyonce Hammond Receives Prestigious Truman Scholarship

April 14, 2022

Media Contact: Kyla Carter, Communications and Marketing Coordinator, UCO University Communications, 405-974-2127, kcarter25@uco.edu

UCO Student Beyonce Hammond Receives Prestigious Truman Scholarship

University of Central Oklahoma student Beyonce Hammond, a junior political science major from Moore, Oklahoma, was recently named a 2022 Truman Scholar for her exceptional academic ability and commitment to public service. This is the first UCO student chosen as a Truman Scholar since 1996, making Hammond the fourth Truman Scholar from UCO. 

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, a living memorial to President Harry S. Truman and national monument to public service, announced 58 students from 53 U.S. colleges and universities, including Hammond, as 2022 Truman Scholars. Hammond is the only student selected from Oklahoma colleges and universities.

The recipients were selected from 705 candidates nominated by 275 colleges and universities. They were recommended by 17 independent selection panels based on the finalists’ academic success and leadership accomplishments, as well as their likelihood of becoming public service leaders. Regional selection panels met virtually and included distinguished civic leaders, elected officials, university presidents, federal judges and past winners.

“The Truman Scholarship is a prestigious scholarship that aims to support young leaders who plan to pursue a career in public service,” said Michael Springer, Ph.D., professor of history, director of the Office of High-Impact Practices and Truman Scholarship adviser at Central.

“Beyonce is an excellent example of UCO’s culture of transformative learning, creatively integrating her academic interests with her campus and community engagement for everyone’s benefit. I am immensely proud of Beyonce and am excited about her future.”

Hammond’s accolades stretch beyond her recent recognition as a Truman Scholar. Through UCO, she has served many leadership roles. Hammond served as the chairperson of the diversity and inclusion committee for Central’s Student Association (UCOSA), vice president of the UCO Black Student Association action team and a member of UCO’s President’s Leadership Council (PLC). Also, Hammond is a member of the UCO Pre-Law Society, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) at UCO and the UCO African Student Association. Outside of UCO, she interns for Oklahoma State Rep. Merleyn Bell and Oklahoma State Rep. Ajay Pittman.

“Being a Truman Scholar is not only impactful to me personally but also showcases students of various creeds can achieve the same great success with hard work and dedication,” Hammond said. 

“UCO provided me with an incomparable mentorship from the past UCO Truman Scholar along with the amazing, dedicated faculty and staff members who mentored me every step of the process. This award has continued to affirm the positive change that I will continue to create within my community.”

The Truman Scholarship is the premier graduate scholarship for aspiring public service leaders in the U.S. Each Truman Scholar receives funding for graduate studies, leadership training, career counseling and special internship and fellowship opportunities within the federal government.

For more information about the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, visit truman.gov.

For more information about Central and its commitment to transformative learning for all students, visit www.uco.edu.

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Editor's Note: Download art associated with this release at https://media.uco.edu/Press/uploads/2022/04/beyonce-hammond.jpeg

Cutline: University of Central Oklahoma student Beyonce Hammond, pictured, a junior political science major from Moore, Oklahoma, was recently named a 2022 Truman Scholar for her exceptional academic ability and commitment to public service. This is the first UCO student chosen as a Truman Scholar since 1996, making Hammond the fourth Truman scholar from UCO. The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, a living memorial to President Harry S. Truman and national monument to public service, announced 58 students from 53 U.S. colleges and universities, including Hammond, were selected as 2022 Truman Scholars.