Rising Sophomore Ruby Rhoden Earns Boren Scholarship to Study in China

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Ruby Rhoden

MACON – Mercer University rising sophomore Ruby Rhoden was recently awarded a Boren Scholarship to study Mandarin Chinese and experience Chinese culture for two months this summer at Beijing Language and Culture University in China.

In exchange for funding, Rhoden, a biomedical engineering major from Duluth, will work for the federal government in national security for at least one year following her study overseas.

“Receiving this award has been a tremendous blessing, and I want to thank Mercer University and all the professors and administrators who helped me achieve this,” said Rhoden. “I aspire to use the experience and skill gained from this opportunity to obtain a SMART Scholarship and further advance in my goals of working at the U.S. Department of Defense and contributing to international peace.”

Rhoden, who also has a minor in chemistry, studied Mandarin Chinese, which is the official language of mainland China, from middle school through her junior year at the Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology.

At Mercer, she has been involved with the National Society of Black Engineers, minority pre-med program SNMA MAPS and the African Student Association.

“I am thrilled to see Ruby receive the Boren Scholarship,” said Dr. Hope McIlwain, professor of mathematics. “Ruby is a hard-working, curious and determined student and deserves this recognition. In addition, she will take full advantage of her time in China by learning new material and embracing new experiences. Ruby will also be an excellent representative of Mercer University and demonstrate to her hosts the wonderful students we have.”

David L. Boren Scholarships and Fellowships are sponsored by the National Security Education Program (NSEP), a major federal initiative designed to build a broader and more qualified pool of U.S. citizens with foreign language and international skills.

Boren Awards provide U.S. undergraduate and graduate students with resources and encouragement to acquire language skills and experience in countries critical to the future security and stability of the nation. In exchange for funding, recipients agree to work in the federal government for a period of at least one year. For more information, visit www.borenawards.org.