Student named sixth Truman scholar in CSB history

The recipients of the Truman Scholarship were recently announced and CSB student Sydney Walker, a political science and economics major, is one of 58 students across the country to win the award.

The Truman Scholarship is a prestigious scholarship given out to less than 100 applicants per year, making it a very competitive scholarship.

The scholarship recognizes students across the country for their commitment to service, academic achievement and potential for future leadership in public services roles. Winners receive $30,000 for the graduate school of their choice and countless programming and mentorship opportunities.

“It was really exciting [to win the Truman Scholarship]. It is something I have worked on and a lot of the service I was recognized for doing I have done for years,” Walker said. “It is really nice to have a culmination of all the work I have done and be recognized for that.”

The Truman Scholarship specifically cited her service and political involvement in her biography on their website.

Since her first year at CSB, Walker has been involved with the organization Upward Bound, a tutoring and mentorship program for first-generation and low-income high school students who are working towards higher education.

“My work with Upward Bound was a huge part of [my college experience]. Working with first- generation and low-income high school students on their path to higher education has been an important part of my experience,” Walker said.

On top of being involved in Upward Bound, Walker has been involved in many other organizations. She is the president of the CSB/SJU College Democrats, served as a Democratic National Convention Delegate for South Dakota in the summer of 2020, and is currently working with a local Minnesota Senate campaign.

Going forward, Walker plans to continue her education by getting a joint degree in law and education. Helping those who are underprivileged or disadvantaged is still going to be a major focus of hers.

“Post grad I hope to do a joint law degree and master’s in education to hopefully be working in educational equity in the future,” Walker said. “I have a real interest in working with Indigenous populations and working to improve some of the education disparities and outcomes.”

Walker is the sixth student from CSB to have won the Truman Scholarship.

She said that past winners helped her prepare for interviews and the selection process. She also credits professors who have influenced and helped her along the way, including Claire Haeg, Phil Kronebusch, Ted Gordon and Louis Johnston.

Kronebusch, a political science professor and advisor for competitive scholarships talked about the work ethic and academic achievement that Walker needed to win.

“Sydney is a terrific student, and the Truman Foundation is looking for that combination of academic talent and commitment to a career in public service, and Sydney is really strong in that.”

The political science department is supportive of students working in the community and noticed and supported the work Walker has put in.

“We really thought of [Sydney] a couple years ago as a potential Truman applicant,” Kronebusch said.

The amount of time and effort Walker has put into public service and her academics shows how difficult it is to win the Truman Scholarship. Walker sets an example of the heights students can reach at CSB/SJU.

“The strides that [CSB/SJU] have made to acknowledge and make reparations along with the professors and connections that I have made makes me feel really lucky to have gone here,” Walker said.