UW–Madison student to use prestigious Truman Scholarship to further research on arts education access

Shiloah Coley was a former IIP participant for the International Children’s Museum Internship, a collaborative experience with spring and fall semesters at the Madison Children’s Museum and the summer spent in Johannesburg, South Africa at the NGO Play Africa

Photo: Shiloah in discussion with panel member

By Doug Erickson

Shiloah Coley attributes her strong work ethic to her Afro-Caribbean family. Her Grandma Wanna, she says, stressed that any task, from homework to making the bed, was worth doing well or not at all.

Grandma Wanna must be very proud today. Coley, a junior at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, has been named a Truman Scholar, one of the most prestigious undergraduate honors in the country.

Coley is one of 62 winners chosen this year from 840 candidates nominated by 346 colleges and universities — a record number of both applications and institutions. The 199 finalists for the award were interviewed in March and early April at one of 16 regional selection panels.

UW–Madison had two other finalists this year: Claudia Koechell of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and Mackenzie Berry, of Louisville, Kentucky, both of whom will graduate in May.

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation was created by Congress in 1975 to be the nation’s living memorial to President Harry S. Truman. The foundation’s mission is to select and support the next generation of public service leaders. Coley, of Olympia Fields, Illinois, will receive a $30,000 scholarship toward graduate school and the opportunity to participate in professional development programming.

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