Mat Goldberg is competing for a national fellowship awarded each year to those with goals of working in public service or government.
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An Elon University student has been named a finalist for a 2013 Truman Scholarship, a prestigious national fellowship awarded each year to college juniors with goals of working in education, government, the nonprofit or advocacy sectors, or elsewhere in public service.
Mat Goldberg, a psychology major with minors in leadership studies and business administration, is a finalist for an award that funds up to $30,000 for graduate study. The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation received 629 applications this year from 293 colleges and universities.
Winners will be announced April 11, 2013.
In addition to the monetary award, Truman Scholars receive priority admission and supplemental financial aid at some premier graduate institutions, leadership training, career and graduate school counseling, and special internship opportunities within the federal government.
The Foundation, established by Congress in 1975 as a memorial to the 33rd president, awards scholarships for college students to attend graduate school in preparation for careers in government or elsewhere in public service. The foundation has named 2,844 Truman Scholars since the first awards were made in 1977.
Goldberg said he plans to attend graduate school to study the intersection of psychology, education and leadership. He hopes to open a nonprofit working with underprivileged students to teach leadership education and build confidence in effort to improved their self-esteem and improve school performance.
The Isabella Cannon Leadership Fellow and Periclean Scholar is the co-founder and president of the Handmade Co-Op, and he has held student leadership roles in the Center for Leadership. The member of the Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society has served as a Hillel Engagement Intern and its Social Justice Chair, and he has interned at the Interactive Resource Center in Greensboro, N.C.
“This scholarship (application) has offered me the chance to reflect on my experiences and character, challenging me to think critically and ask tough questions that will help guide my future direction,” Goldberg said. “The Truman Fellowship can help advance my future career by connecting me with a community of civic leaders, provide me financial support for gradual school and offer me resources that further my leadership education and challenge me to continuously strive for creating social change.”
Goldberg is the son of Marc and Harlene Goldberg, Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Breanna Detwiler ‘09 was the first Elon University student to win a Truman Scholarship. She received the honor in 2008.