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| Allen Richey, Truman Scholar, Student Government President
LSU Junior Named SG President And Truman Scholar When political science junior Allen Richey became the first LSU student to ever win the prestigious Harry S. Truman Scholarship, he didn’t have much time to dwell on the achievement. He was in the middle of campaigning for Student Government President, an election he would win just a few weeks later. You could say the spring 2003 semester was good to Richey.
The news that he’d won the Truman Scholarship came on absentee-ballot voting day, when Richey was right in the thick of the campaign. But even during that busy time, he was aware of the significance of the award, for himself and for the University. “It’s a tremendous honor to be able to win for LSU,” Richey said. “I wanted LSU to have that kind of national recognition. I hope this shows top high school students that they can get national awards and recognition here. On a personal level, I hope this award opens doors for me at graduate schools and with other opportunities that I might not otherwise have.” Richey said competing for the Truman Scholarship was one of the most valuable experiences he’s ever had. “I wasn’t expecting to win the Truman Scholarship; I was just thinking that the interview process was a great experience,” he said. “I was able to talk with students from other major universities, and I realized that I wasn’t behind the curve. I thought I might not be able to keep up with students from some of the nation’s top universities, but I could. My educational experience at LSU, and especially through the Honors College, prepared me for that.”
The Truman Scholarship provides Richey with $3,000 for his senior year and $27,000 for two years of graduate study. Scholars also 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. Recipients must be U.S. citizens, have outstanding leadership potential and communication skills, be in the top quarter of their class, and be committed to careers in government or the non-profit sector. In all, 76 students from 63 U.S. colleges and universities were selected as 2003 Truman Scholars, and Richey was the only recipient from Louisiana. The 76 recipients were selected from a pool of 635 candidates who were nominated by 305 colleges and universities. But there is more to Richey’s college life than academics.
He has been involved in Student Government since his freshman year, and now, as student body president, will work to be an active voice for the 30,000-plus students of LSU. Some of the goals for his presidency include establishing regular “Chats with the Chancellor” so that students can voice their ideas to LSU Chancellor Mark Emmert; enabling the students to have a voice in setting the university’s agenda; publicizing scholarships that are available to students; and conducting voter registration drives on campus so that students can be registered to vote in Baton Rouge for the upcoming governor’s race. Richey hopes to stress to students the importance of voting for candidates who support higher education programs and funding. If you’re wondering how Richey finds the time to do it all, remember the old adage that students who are involved in campus activities make better grades than students who are not involved. Richey seems to be the embodiment of that theory. “LSU is the best of both worlds,” Richey said. “It’s the synthesis of challenging academics and a very enriching campus life. At LSU, you have the capability of conducting research that you wouldn't have at a small, liberal arts college. But there is also a wonderful feeling of community at LSU that’s rare at large universities. It’s a perfect combination.” Written by Kristine Calongne | University
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