UTC student awarded prestigious national scholarship

photo UTC student Robert Fisher

A University of Tennessee at Chattanooga student with an extensive leadership record has been awarded a prestigious national scholarship that he hopes will inspire other students to reach for their goals.

Robert Fisher, a political science major expected to graduate in May 2015, was named one of this year's 59 Truman Scholars. The selection panel considered 655 candidates nominated by 294 colleges and universities.

The scholarship, named after former President Harry Truman, is awarded to students with a strong record of public service.

Fisher is the fourth UTC recipient in the 36-year history of the award. He is president of the Student Government Association and has served as a co-chairman with Mayor Andy Berke's Chattanooga Forward initiative and as a student commissioner on the Tennessee Higher Education Commission.

"Just receiving the award means so much for me that the Truman foundation recognizes my ability to be a great public servant and them wanting to provide me with the tools to be an even better public servant," Fisher said. "But for the UTC community and the Chattanooga community, just bringing this distinction to UTC and Chattanooga is equally important."

The award guarantees Fisher up to $30,000 for graduate study. Recipients receive priority admission and supplemental financial aid opportunities at some of the nation's premier graduate schools.

With two semesters still left to serve as Student Government Association president after his recent re-election, Fisher is weighing his options after graduation.

"Robert Fisher's student career at UTC has been nothing short of illustrious," said Linda Frost, dean of the UTC Honors College, in a release. "He has been entrusted with the leadership of the UTC Student Government Association and has taken that office to new heights; he has helped forge new relationships between UTC and the larger Chattanooga community with his work in the city and the mayor's office."

Contact staff writer David Cobb at dcobb@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6731.

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