Thirty-two men and women from across the United States have been selected as Rhodes Scholars for 2009, the scholarship trust announced Sunday including three Bay Area students.
The scholars were selected from 769 applicants endorsed by 207 colleges and universities.
The scholars include first-time winners from Augsburg College in Minneapolis and Santa Clara University.
The scholarships, the oldest of the international study awards available to American students, provide two or three years of study. The students will enter Oxford University in England next October.
This year's winners include Noelle Lopez from Santa Clara University, who is a majoring in philosophy, Sarah Kleinman from Stanford University working on a master's in sociology and Scott Hugo from Alamo who attends UCLA, majoring in political science and history.
And also on the list... Florida State football player Myron Rolle. The 22-year-old flew to Birmingham, Alabama yesterday to interview for the prestigious award and then hopped a plane to join his team in Maryland. They delayed the start of the game to make sure he could play. He made it by the second quarter and helped the Seminoles upset number 25 ranked Maryland.
Rhodes Scholarships were created in 1902 by the will of British philanthropist Cecil Rhodes. Winners are selected on the basis of high academic achievement, personal integrity, leadership potential and physical vigor, among other attributes.
The American students will join an international group of scholars selected from 13 other jurisdictions around the world. Approximately 80 scholars are selected each year.
The value of the Rhodes Scholarship varies depending on the field of study. The total value averages about $50,000 per year.
With the elections announced Sunday, 3,164 Americans have won Rhodes Scholarships, representing more than 300 colleges and universities.
