Student named Rhodes Scholar

Senior Andrew McCall became the first Truman student to be named a Rhodes scholar on Nov 23.

He was one of 32 national recipients. The scholarship covers expenses for two to three years at Oxford University in England.

McCall is a philosophy and religion major who is captain of the swim team, a violinist in the University Orchestra and a logic tutor.

"It seemed like, judging by the level of education that I could get here [at Truman], paying money at an Ivy League school was unjustifiable, particularly with two more brothers who need to be put through college," McCall said.

After philosophy and religion professor Patricia Burton suggested he apply for the scholarship, McCall agreed, because the scholarship is based not only on academics, but also on moral character and athletic success, he said.

"I knew I wanted to go to grad[uate] school in philosophy, but this seemed like a way I could turn my swimming into an academic accomplishment," McCall said.

McCall said he began thinking about the scholarship during the summer and started writing his personal statement in August. The application was submitted mid-September to Truman's graduate office and then forwarded to the U.K. scholarships committee, which provided feedback and advice. The final application was turned in Oct. 5.

McCall was required to have a minimum of six letters of recommendation, a 1,000-word personal statement and a résumé. Truman is in district 12, which is composed of schools from Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Mississippi and South Carolina. The 12 finalists from the district went to Kansas City for an interview. Two finalists, including McCall, were chosen.

"I went back and forth between telling myself I was perfect for [the scholarship] and telling myself I grew arrogant and deluded," McCall said. "The last week [before the recipients were announced] was a roller coaster. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to get into the level of program that perhaps I have the potential to succeed in, because I haven't been able to put in the time in the last three and a half years [because of swimming]."

McCall plans to study philosophy for two years at Oxford University and then return to the United States to complete a Ph.D. in philosophy and become a philosophy professor.

McCall said he thinks he is the first Rhodes scholar from Truman because of the low number of students applying for the scholarship, although Truman has had finalists in the past.

Interim President Darrell Krueger said Truman already has received international attention because of McCall.

"This is one of the most important, significant awards a student at the University has ever received," Krueger said. "This is fabulous. … It's history."

Krueger said he thinks more Truman students might apply to be a Rhodes scholar because they now see there is a chance for them to be selected. McCall's reception of this scholarship also shows Truman students that they have as much potential as students at an Ivy League school, he said. The Board of Governors will recognize McCall's achievement Saturday.

"It gives us great pride," Krueger said. "Former presidents of the University, the alumni - everybody's proud."

Burton met McCall while he was visiting Truman as a prospective student, she said. McCall has taken three of Burton's classes.

"He had the opportunity to go to Columbia [University], to Princeton [University], but he really was enthusiastic about Truman's liberal arts opportunities, while still allowing him to do so many of the things he loves," Burton said.

Burton said applying for the Rhodes scholarship is hard work and planning for it should start at least a year in advance. Burton has been working with Rhodes applicants for about 20 years and encouraged McCall to apply, she said.

"Personal traits that set Andrew apart are his high standards of excellence and his quietly vigorous love [of] inquiry in so many area[s]," Burton said. "We have so many phenomenal Truman students. I am surprised this is our first Rhodes scholar. I'm not that surprised that Andrew [McCall] got it."

Graduate student Nicole Moore played violin with McCall in the University orchestra for more than three years and tutored him for music theory and aural skills.

"[McCall] is incredibly kind, for one thing," Moore said. "Any time I've talked to him, he's very amiable, intelligent [and a] hard worker."

Moore said McCall's overall success and dedication helped him receive the scholarship.

The orchestra is a big commitment with more than four hours of rehearsal per week, not including the practice outside of the classroom and at least three concerts a semester with dress rehearsals in the mornings during weekends, she said.

"The orchestra, … that's not something he's required to do," Moore said. "But he does it every single semester … I really have nothing bad to say about [McCall]."