ETSU’s Trent White finalist for Rhodes Scholarship
Trent White, a senior at East Tennessee State University and former Student Government Association president, was named a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship, one of the most prestigious merit scholarships in the world.
“I am incredibly honored and humbled to have been considered for the Rhodes Scholarship,” said White, who is majoring in political science and a member of ETSU’s Roan Scholars Leadership Program. “This is a testament to the unwavering support I’ve received from my family, friends and the ETSU community.”
A graduate of Unicoi County High School, White’s journey at ETSU has been marked by leadership and service. As SGA president and an advocate for the Appalachian region, he has worked tirelessly to address issues impacting his community.
Earlier this year, he won a coveted Truman Scholarship.
“Trent White’s selection as a finalist is another historic moment for East Tennessee State University,” ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland said. “ETSU is a place where anyone can grow, succeed and compete with the best. Trent embodies that ideal as well as our mission to improve the quality of life for people in this region and beyond. His accomplishments reflect not only the level of excellence of our students, faculty and staff, but also our dedication to ensuring that ETSU students receive the personalized support they need to thrive.
“I am incredibly proud of Trent. He is one of the most humble, hardworking, sincere and generous students I have had the pleasure of knowing, and I cannot wait to see what more he will achieve.”
The Rhodes Scholarship is highly competitive, with fewer than 100 scholars selected annually from across the globe. Although he was not ultimately chosen, his nomination is an incredible moment for both White and the university. According to the Rhodes Trust, the overall global acceptance rate stands at 0.7%. And only 32 out of close to 900 of the country’s most talented scholars win the award.
“For a first-generation college student from a small Appalachian town that was recently torn asunder from Hurricane Helene to become a Rhodes Finalist shows the rest of the country the grit, resilience, talent and character of our students,” said Dr. Carson Medley, assistant dean of the Honors College and director of Prestigious Awards at ETSU. “Trent’s success has become contagious on our campus as our office has seen a dramatic increase in all of our prestigious national and global awards.”
ETSU has a strong record of supporting students in pursuing nationally and internationally recognized awards. Students have secured major awards, including a Goldwater Scholarship, two Critical Language Scholarships (Russian and Swahili) and several Gilman Scholarships. Alumnus Shivam Patel was a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship last year.
“Trent has shown remarkable vision, resilience and dedication to service throughout his journey with the Roan Scholars Leadership Program,” said Scott Jeffress, executive director of the Roan Scholars Leadership Program. “His selection as a Rhodes Scholar finalist reflects his tireless commitment to making a difference, not only at ETSU but for the entire Appalachian region. We couldn’t be prouder to see Trent represent our program, the university, and the values we strive to instill in our scholars on a global stage.”
Dr. Kimberly D. McCorkle, ETSU provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, also praised White’s accomplishment and the team effort that supported him along the way.
“Our entire ETSU community takes immense pride in celebrating Trent’s success. This recognition reflects his deep commitment to leadership and public service, qualities we are proud to cultivate and support,” she said.
East Tennessee State University was founded in 1911 with a singular mission: to improve the quality of life for people in the region and beyond. Through its world-class health sciences programs and interprofessional approach to health care education, ETSU is a highly respected leader in rural health research and practices. The university also boasts nationally ranked programs in the arts, technology, computing, and media studies. ETSU serves approximately 14,000 students each year and is ranked among the top 10 percent of colleges in the nation for students graduating with the least amount of debt.
Stay in Touch
Follow ETSU on Social