COREY LONGHURST, COLLEGE OF BUSINESS JUNIOR  - FINALIST FOR TRUMAN SCHOLARSHIP

Corey Longhurst, a junior business administration and agricultural business double major, has been selected as a 2008 finalist for the prestigious Harry S. Truman Scholarship Program.

The Truman Scholarship provides up to $30,000 to students pursuing graduate degrees in public service fields. Recipients must demonstrate outstanding leadership potential and communication skills and show commitment to careers in government or the not-for-profit sector. Students must be college juniors at the time of selection.

"More than 600 students nationwide apply for the scholarship each year," said Heather Esterday, coordinator of CSU's Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarship Programs. "Six finalists were selected from the state of Colorado. Two of the Colorado finalists attend colleges in Colorado, while four attend schools in other states."

Finalists have one round of interviews before the scholars are selected. The 2008 Truman Scholarship recipients will be announced March 25.

Longhurst, a 2005 graduate of Weld Central High School from Keenesburg, Colo., is actively involved in issues of homelessness prevention in Fort Collins. Longhurst is involved with 24 Hours for the Homeless, a program being coordinated by Poudre School District and United Way. High school students dedicate a full day volunteering at different homeless agencies and sleep in boxes in Old Town at night to raise awareness about homelessness. Longhurst is working on developing a similar program for his college peers.

As vice president of public relations on the Interfraternity Council, Longhurst spearheaded a campaign to raise money for a Habitat for Humanity house for a local Bosnian family. He coordinated 300 volunteers to raise awareness about homelessness and helped Greek chapters raise $14,000 toward the new home.

In addition, Longhurst is a Presidential Ambassador for Colorado State, representing the student body throughout the year at such events as the 1870 Recognition Dinner, the Monfort Lecture and the Rocky Mountain Showdown.

After graduation, Longhurst plans to pursue a master's degree in cross-cultural studies and an MBA with an emphasis in non-profit management.

"My commitment to service is deeply connected to my faith," Longhurst said. "It gives me the greatest joy to live outside myself and to live for the needs of others."

Since 1975, the Harry S. Truman Scholarship program has awarded more than 2,500 students with grants with the hope they will someday make a difference.

For more information about the Truman Scholarship, go to www.truman.gov.