[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 8, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E22-E23]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
COMMENDING TWO NEWLY NAMED RHODES SCHOLARS FROM KANSAS
______
HON. DENNIS MOORE
of kansas
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, January 7, 2003
Mr. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report that two Rhodes
Scholars from Kansas were named last week. I include in the Record for
the House's review a wire story from the Associated Press concerning
these two exemplary young Kansans, Robert Chamberlain of Topeka, and
Ben Champion of Olathe, but particularly want to take note of Ben
Champion, a constituent who interned in my Overland Park and
Washington, D.C., congressional offices last summer. I also include a
recent story from The Olathe News concerning Ben.
Ben Champion, who is hoping to pursue a career in politics and public
policy, is majoring in chemistry, natural resources and environmental
sciences at Kansas State University. His goal is to bridge the gap
between the sciences and the political arena by first specializing in
the sciences, especially chemistry, and subsequently by working in the
policy arena to develop and implement sound environmental policy. My
constituents in Kansas' Third District were fortunate to have him
serving them in their congressional offices last summer, and I join
with our staff in congratulating Ben and wishing him well on this
exciting new challenge.
Kansas Student Named Rhodes Scholar
(By The Associated Press)
Two young men from Kansas, one a University of Kansas
graduate now in the Army, and the other a senior at Kansas
State University, were named Saturday as Rhodes Scholars for
2003.
They area Robert M. Chamberlain of Topeka, who earned a
political science degree from Kansas in May, and Ben Champion
of Olathe, who is majoring in chemistry, natural resources
and environmental sciences at Kansas State.
The prestigious scholarships provide more than $50,000 for
two years of graduate study at Oxford University in England.
They were established in 1903 by British philanthropist Cecil
Rhodes, and 32 scholarships are awarded every year to
students from the United States.
Chamberlain, a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, is a
field artillery officer with the 101st Airborne Division at
Fort Sill, Okla., until April 2003, when he transfers to Fort
Campbell, Ky.
A finalist for the scholarship a year ago, he is the son of
Michael and Judy Chamberlain of Topeka and a graduate of
Washburn Rural High School. He plans a public service career
in international law.
Chamberlain said his selection for the scholarship was
``still sinking in.''
``It's such an honor to be selected from such an
outstanding group of people,'' he said.
Chamberlain is the 24th University of Kansas student, and
the first since 1994, to win a Rhodes scholarship. Kansas
State has had seven Rhodes scholars since 1986.
Champion is a 1998 graduate of Olathe South High School. He
is the son of Mike and Paula Champion of Olathe.
____
[From the Olathe News]
South Grad Is Rhodes Scholar
(By Kevin Selders)
Ben Champion, a 1998 graduate of Olathe South High School,
discovered something Saturday that changed his life.
Champion, who is graduating Saturday from Kansas State
University with a degree in chemistry and environmental
science, has been chosen as a Rhodes Scholar. He is one of
two recipients from Kansas of the two-year, $50,000
scholarship to University of Oxford in England. ``I really
don't know what to think about it yet,'' he said. ``It's
still sinking in.'' The Rhodes Scholarships, the oldest
international fellowships, were initiated in 1902 after the
death of Cecil Rhodes. They allow students from many
countries around the world to attend the University of
Oxford.
American Rhodes Scholars are selected through a
decentralized process by which regional selection committees
choose 32 scholars each year from among those nominated by
selection committees in each state. Applicants from more than
300 American colleges and universities have been selected as
Rhodes Scholars.
The other recipient from Kansas, Robert Chamberlain of
Topeka, earned a political science degree from the University
of Kansas in May, and is now a second lieutenant in the U.S.
Army. Scholarships also were awarded to students from other
countries, bringing the total number of scholarships awarded
this year to about 95.
Champion, who plans to study renewable energy technologies
at Oxford, said he's excited about attending the university,
which is known for having the largest chemistry department in
the world. ``I'm really looking forward to studying at
Oxford,'' he said. ``It's going to be a good fit for me.'' He
said that after his time at Oxford, he'd like to conduct
research and get into the political process and advise on
environmental policy issues.
Rhodes Scholars are selected for two years of study at
Oxford, with the possibility of renewal for a third year. All
educational costs, such as enrollment, tuition, laboratory
and other fees, are paid on the scholar's behalf by the
Rhodes Trustees.
Each scholar also receives an allowance adequate to meet
necessary expenses for term-time and vacations. The Rhodes
Trustees cover the costs of travel to and from Oxford, and
upon application, may approve additional grants for research
purposes or study-related travel.
[[Page E23]]
Champion, who also is a drummer and vocalist for a band
called The Vetivers, attributed his success to having a
supportive family, encouraging professors, a solid education
from the Olathe school district and 12 years of experience in
the Boy Scouts, which resulted in his achievement of Eagle
Scout status. Champion also has won the Udall Scholarship for
environmental studies and was a finalist for the Truman
Scholarship.
Champion's father, Mike, credits his son's success to his
positive, focused mind-set, his strong work ethic and his
ability to adapt to any situation he's in. ``I'm about as
excited as a dad can get,'' he said. ``It's one of those
things where you pinch yourself to make sure you're awake and
not dreaming.''
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