Rachel Hall, a student who has interned at the White House and state governor's office, is the first student at the University of California, Davis, to receive a prestigious Harry S. Truman Scholarship. Hall was selected from more than 850 students from across the country who applied from 435 four-year universities. A senior next year, she is majoring in Japanese and international relations, and hopes to pursue a career in the foreign service. She will be receiving $30,000 for her undergraduate and graduate education from the Truman award. Truman Scholarships are awarded annually in a national competition to students who have outstanding leadership potential, plan to pursue careers in government or elsewhere in public service and wish to attend graduate school to help prepare for their careers. Just 65 candidates from 57 institutions have been selected as this year's Truman scholars. Hall is an example of the outstanding students this campus attracts, according to Peter Dale, acting vice provost of academic programs and dean of undergraduate studies. "Her 4.0 grade-point average, coupled with her extensive list of public-service contributions, made Hall a perfect candidate for such an award," said Dale. During the past three years at UC Davis, Hall was selected for internships at the White House and for the California governor's office. In addition she has served in a number of positions within the associated student government offices on campus. Hall has served on the campus judicial board and is a member of several academic honor societies. Her campus activities also include being a varsity rower for the women's crew team. In the region, Hall has been very active within Yolo and Sacramento communities. She has been a competition coordinator for the Yolo County Special Olympics and the creator and co-coordinator of the Sacramento AIDS Foundation massage therapy program. Faculty members who supported her application material all agreed that Hall's employment and volunteer service positions have required exceptional communication skills. "My enthusiasm for applying for the scholarship was motivated by the institutional support I received," said Hall, citing coaching assistance from faculty. Hall plans to pursue a master's degree in foreign service and law degree at Georgetown University, which offers the combined curriculum. She would like to address international legal issues by stressing mediation and negotiation skills, and eventually become involved in the Foreign Service profession in Asia.