University of Richmond Alumnus Scott Erwin Named Rhodes Scholar
November 21, 2005
Scott Erwin, a 2005 University of Richmond graduate, was one of only 32 Americans chosen for a Rhodes Scholarship to the University of Oxford, England, in the annual competition that concluded last weekend.
Erwin competed against 903 other scholars endorsed by 333 colleges and universities for what is considered one of the world’s most prestigious scholarships. The scholarship covers all tuition, fees, living expenses and travel for up to three years of study at Oxford.
A political science and classical civilization double major at Richmond, Erwin has been working as a research associate at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York. While at Richmond, he worked for the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq and as a volunteer founded Ambassadors of Democracy, a civic education program at Mustanseriya University. He received the Defense of Freedom Medal, the civilian equivalent of the Purple Heart, after being ambushed and nearly shot to death while returning home from teaching a class.
“Scott embodies our vision of transforming bright minds into great achievers,” said university President William E. Cooper. “He has combined talent, dedication and courage throughout his studies and in his efforts in Iraq. I know Scott well, and this Rhodes Scholarship is a deserving tribute to his achievements. It is also a tribute to the faculty, staff and classmates who have mentored and encouraged him during his years at the University of Richmond.”
Erwin plans to pursue a master’s degree in international relations at Oxford. Along with the other 2005 Rhodes winners, he will enter Oxford in fall 2006.
He is the fifth University of Richmond graduate to be awarded a Rhodes Scholarship. The other Richmond recipients are A.E. Dick Howard, R’54, in 1958, George S. Mitchell, R’23, in 1926, Paul E. Hubbell, R’11, in 1914 and Terry Colley Durham, R’10, in 1913--to win a Rhodes.