The University of Arkansas and the University of Alabama each have two Truman Scholars for 2016, leading all public universities. Almost half of the 54 Truman Scholars this year are students at public universities, and most are honors students.

Truman Scholars receive up to $30,000 for graduate study. Scholars also receive priority admission and supplemental financial aid at premier graduate institutions, leadership training, career and graduate school counseling and special internship opportunities within the federal government.

Recipients must be U.S. citizens, have outstanding leadership potential and communication skills, be academically excellent and be committed to careers in government or the nonprofit sector.

The Truman program drew 775 candidates nominated by 305 colleges and universities. The recipients were chosen from 197 finalists by 16 independent selection panels on the basis of the students’ academic success and leadership accomplishments, as well as their likelihood of becoming public service leaders.

The program has selected 3,077 Truman Scholars since the first awards were made in 1977.

Below are the 2016 awardees who attend public universities:

Victoria Maloch, a member of the honors college at the University of Arkansas

Daniela Estrada, University of California-Irvine

Elizabeth Hale, an honors program student at Colorado State University

Sarah Hartman, an honors program student at the University of Delaware

Amalia Gomez-Rexrode, University of Michigan

Wendy Ruiz, Florida International University

Dana Sweeney, an honors college student at the University of Alabama

Zoie Sheets, an honors college student at University of Illinois-Chicago

Danielle Neighbour, an honors college student at the University of Arkansas

Hannah Wilson, a McConnell Scholar at the University of Louisville

Chauncey Stephens,a student in the Ogden Honors College at Louisiana State University

Lia Petrose, a student in the honors college at the University of Pittsburgh

Natalie Jones, a member of the honors college at Mississippi State University

Maria Kalaitzandonakes, University of Missouri

Levi Birky, an honors college student at Montana State University

Hannah Kelley, a member of the honors college at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas

Madelaine Britt, University at Buffalo SUNY

Jed Hanson, University of North Dakota

Jeremy Allen, University of Oklahoma

Jory Fleming, a Capstone Scholar at the University of South Carolina

Josh Arens, an honors student at the University of South Dakota

Vaughn Vargas, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Zoraima Pelaez, a Liberal Arts Honors student at the University of Texas at Austin

Madelyn Fife, an honors student and Huntsman Scholar at Utah State University

Jill Ferguson, a Rodman Scholar at the University of Virginia

Deshawn McKinney, University of Wisconsin-Madison