Griffiths Member Receives Truman Scholarship
Laura Merritt, a junior at Mizzou, is a passionate campus leader who is being honored with the prestigious Truman Award. Named for the former president, only 65 students nationwide received the award which covers up to $30,000 for graduate school and offers priority admission.
An interdisciplinary studies major from McKinney, Texas, Merritt’s involvement spans across campus. She is involved with Griffiths, the Mizzou Alumni Association Student Board, Kappa Alpha Theta and the Honors College. In addition to these campus activities, Merritt is an advocate for public policy. Throughout her young life, Merritt has suffered from rheumatoid arthritis which has fueled her interest in public health and policy.
In 2006, when a controversial stem cell research initiative was added to the Missouri ballot, Merritt worked as an advocate for the passage of this constitutional amendment. She and fellow MU students created the “I Am” campaign to educate the public about stem cell research. The campaign has caught on and has been adopted by several other universities.
Merritt is one of two Mizzou students to receive the Truman Award. The second, Jennifer Kimball, was recently selected for membership in Griffiths.
Vicky Riback Wilson, Griffiths alumnae member, serves as the fellowships coordinator at Mizzou and worked closely with both Merritt and Kimball throughout the application process.