April 4, 2024 began like any other sunny, snow-slushy spring day for Zane Zupan ‘25—until, that is, they got the message that would, literally, change their life. That’s when Zupan was called into ̽̽ President Suresh Garimella’s office and told that they had been named a . Suddenly, everything was different.
“As I ran outside, I stepped into a foot-deep puddle of ice-cold water while FaceTiming my parents, but it didn’t faze me for a second because I was so happy!” Zupan remembers.
Zupan, a and a triple-major in sociology, political science, and gender, sexuality, and women’s studies, is well aware of the magnitude of this award. “Being named a Truman Scholar means that a lot of the things I’ve been dreaming about doing can become a reality now,” they say. “It’s hard for my mind to grasp that it’s really happening, that I can follow this path I’d hoped for but wasn’t sure I’d be able to follow.”
Ever since they were young, Zupan has known they wanted to help people improve their lives. They’ve volunteered for activist organizations, worked as an addiction counselor for the Lund Center, and even created a popular TikTok series for young people on LGBTQ+ history. But now, they’re ready to take it to the next level. “I want to go to law school to become a public interest attorney,” says Zupan, who plans to work for a non-profit organization (along the lines of the ACLU, Lambda Legal, or the Southern Poverty Law Center) that fights for the rights of marginalized communities. “Most law schools don’t focus on public interest law,” Zupan says, “but being a Truman Scholar will open the door for me to go to whichever I think is best.”
One of the most prestigious fellowships in the U.S., the Truman Scholarship supports graduate study for aspiring public service leaders by providing a $30,000 scholarship to the graduate program of their choice, along with leadership training, career counseling, and opportunities for internships and fellowships within the federal government. Past Truman Scholarships have been awarded to such luminaries as former Arizona Governor and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, former Georgia House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams, and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch. This year, 60 new Truman Scholars were chosen from a group of over 700 candidates (including finalist Amelia Glickman ’25, also a ̽̽ CAS student) nominated by nearly 300 colleges and universities.
“We are thrilled that Zane received this extraordinary honor in recognition of their exceptional leadership, service, activism, and academic accomplishments,” says Scott Clark, Assistant Director of Fellowships in ̽̽’s Fellowships, Opportunities, and Undergraduate Research (FOUR) office, who worked with David Jenemann, dean of the Honors College, to submit the formal nomination.
Candidates for the Truman Scholarship go through a rigorous selection process. After undergoing a lengthy interview before being nominated by their home college, each nominee submits an extensive application, including a governmental policy proposal, to the Scholarship Committee along with references and transcripts. Those chosen as finalists are invited to interview with a Regional Review Panel made up of Truman Scholars.
At that interview, “the questions were pretty tough,” says Zupan, who had the knee-knocking honor of being the first candidate in the group called in to face the Panel. “I think the interview is designed to get you to think it’s not going well so they can see how you handle that,” they say. “It also seemed like the Panel was looking for people who really believe in what they’re saying and have shown they can follow through.”
History professor Paul Deslandes, who wrote a recommendation letter for Zupan, isn’t at all surprised that the Panel felt Zupan belonged in that group. “Zane embodies the very essence of what it means to be a Truman Scholar. They are a passionate advocate for members of the LGBTQ+ community and other underrepresented groups,” he says. “Zane’s commitment to public service is seen everywhere in their work, whether that be as a researcher, a legislative intern, or a general citizen. Zane is going to make a huge impact in the world, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for them.”
Mary Burke, director of the Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Program, also wrote a strong recommendation for Zupan. “Whether in the classroom, on campus, at the legislature, or on social media, Zane strives to make the world a more just and equitable place and to help support and nurture their communities,” she says. “They’re not simply dedicated to a future in public service; they are already a leader in this field.”
Being this kind of leader is something Zupan has long dreamed of. “I’ve always known I don’t want to do a job that doesn’t help people and move people in right direction,” they say. “But I don’t want to just be another cog in the machine—I want to be able to change the overall structure.” Becoming a Truman Scholar has just moved them one giant step closer to reaching that goal.
