Kansas State University

MANHATTAN — Kansas State University student Ross Allen, a junior in economics and philosophy and minoring in nonprofit leadership studies, has advanced to the final round of the 2014 Harry S. Truman Scholarship competition.

Allen, Soldier, will interview Monday, April 7, in Kansas City, Mo., with other finalists from Iowa, Kansas and Missouri. Truman scholarship winners will be announced April 16.

The Truman scholarship is a national competition that provides up to $30,000 for graduate study to students committed to future careers in public service. Between 60 and 65 scholarships are awarded every year.

Allen is among 204 candidates from 138 colleges and university who were chosen as finalists this year. According to the Truman Foundation, more than 655 students nominated by 294 colleges and universities applied for the 2014 competition.

If awarded the Truman scholarship, Allen would like to pursue master's degrees in divinity and public policy.

A 2011 graduate of Jackson Heights High School, Holton, Allen is the son of David and Ange Allen, Soldier. He is the president of Acacia fraternity and Hands-On Student Leaders, vice president of service for Chimes Junior Honorary and a member of the university's Student Alumni Board and the Nonprofit Leadership Student Alliance. He also served in the Student Governing Association as student affairs director from 2012-2013 and senate intern from 2011-2012. He was president of Silver Key sophomore service honorary in 2012-2013 and was a member of Quest, the freshman honorary. He will be a member of Blue Key Senior Honorary for 2014-2015.

Allen's honors, scholarships and awards include: Morse Scholarship, Putnam Scholarship, Neal Atkinson Jr. Leadership Award, philosophy department's Distinguished Scholar, economics department's Distinguished Scholar and Order of Omega Up and Coming Leader Award.

Since the establishment of the Truman Foundation in 1977, 33 Kansas State University students have been awarded the Truman scholarship, ranking the university first for the number of Truman scholars in the nation among all public state-support universities. In 1996, the Truman Foundation named Kansas State University a Truman Scholar Honor Institution, one of 17 inaugural schools to receive the title.

To learn more about competing for future Truman Scholarships or other scholarships while a student at Kansas State University, contact Jim Hohenbary at jimlth@k-state.edu.