Katie Kowal, a former track and field student-athlete at Lewis & Clark, is among 32 American students selected as Rhodes Scholars, receiving what is considered the most elite award and scholarship for international study.
Rhodes Scholars receive a fully funded scholarship (valued at $70,000 per year) to study at the University of Oxford in England for at least two years.
Kowal graduated in 2017 from Lewis & Clark with dual degrees in physics and political science. The former track and field team captain ran the 100-, 200- and 400-meter events with times that placed her in the top 10 all-time at Lewis & Clark. She also led two relay teams to top five all-time records. During her time on campus, Kowal created the school’s Xplore program for first-generation college students in science, technology, engineering and math fields.
She is currently a Science and Technology Policy Fellow at the Institute for Defense Analyses, where she consults on space weather and space nuclear power and advises White House officials on scientific research that should inform national policy. Kowal plans to earn a Doctor of Philosophy in geography and environment, specifically focusing on methods to attribute extreme weather.
Rhodes Scholars are selected based on criteria established by the will of 19th century businessman Cecil Rhodes: outstanding scholarly achievements, character, commitment to others and to the common good, and potential for leadership in their chosen career field.
A total of 100 Rhodes Scholars receive the award each year, including 32 from the United States. The Rhodes Scholars — selected Saturday from a pool of 880 candidates nominated by their colleges and universities — will begin their studies at Oxford in October 2019.
For more information about the 2019 Rhodes Scholars from the United States, click here.