Truman Scholar Aims to Work in Public Service

Posted on April 10, 2013

William Gray Lindsey, a junior at Carolina, has been awarded a 2013 Harry S. Truman Scholarship for his academic, leadership and public service accomplishments. He is one of 62 Truman Scholars who were selected from among 629 candidates nominated by 293 colleges and universities.

Lindsey is majoring in history and political science major with a minor in entrepreneurship and has studied abroad in Oxford and London through Honors Carolina. He is from Durham.

The Truman Scholarship provides up to $30,000 in support for graduate school toward a public service-related degree.

Lindsey, who plans to pursue a joint-degree program in law and public administration, is the 30th winner from UNC since the program began in 1977.

After graduate school, he aspires to work for a North Carolina senator or representative in Washington, D.C. He has researched a wide range of issues, with a particular interest in energy policy, and would like to serve as legal counsel for the N.C. General Assembly and perhaps one day run for political office.

“Will received the Congressional Award Program’s Gold Medal for service in 2010, and it comes as no surprise,” said Mark Crescenzi, associate professor of political science and chair of UNC’s Truman Scholarship selection committee. “In his time at UNC, Will has worked for [U.S. Rep.] Virginia Foxx [’68] and recently interned with Phil Berger, president pro tempore of the N.C. Senate. His sustained dedication to public service and the University community makes him an excellent choice for the Truman Scholarship.”

On campus, Lindsey is the chair of the Carolina Advocacy Committee, a student group that lobbies the N.C. General Assembly. He served as vice president of the Interfraternity Council, chair of the Greek Judicial Board and as a finance committee member of Student Congress.

A graduate of Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass., he has volunteered with the Duke Morris Cancer Clinic, Meals on Wheels and Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

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More online…

• Junior, ‘Energized’ by Research, Wins Goldwater Scholarship
  April 2013 news report
• Founder of Tar Heel Bikes Wins Udall Scholarship
  April 2013 news report
• Truman Scholar Named, to Study Media and Politics
  April 2010 news report

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