Carleton University Student Wins 2007 Rhodes Scholarship

November 23, 2006

Source: Carleton University
http://www.carleton.ca/duc/newsroom/newsreleases/Nov_23.html

Michael Urban, a Masters student with the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs (NPSIA) at Carleton University, has just won a Rhodes Scholarship. He is the fourth known Carleton student to win this prestigious international scholarship.

Fen Hampson, Director of the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs who also has Michael in one of his classes says: "I am delighted that the Rhodes Committee has selected a NPSIA student, Michael Urban, for this award. He is a talented and accomplished student and extremely deserving of this prestigious Scholarship. He will make an exceptional student ambassador from Canada and Carleton at Oxford. We expect great things from him!"

"We consider Michael to be an excellent candidate who exemplifies the qualities sought by the Trust," says Hedley Auld secretary of the Manitoba Rhodes Scholarship Committee.

Urban was awarded a Prairie Rhodes Scholarship as he was born and raised in Winnipeg. He completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in History, a B.A. (Honours) in Political Science, and received an International Studies Certificate from Queen’s. He chose to complete his Master’s degree at Carleton because, "the program has an excellent name and also offers a more professional and policy-oriented approach to some of the issues I am interested in while still maintaining a high quality academic standard. The program came highly recommended to me."

While at Carleton, Urban has been involved with the NPSIA student Association and is also on the NPSIA charitable benefit dinner committee (the soirée committee).

Carleton’s previous Rhodes Scholarship recipients include Shona Brown (BEng/87), current Senior Vice-President, Business Operations for Google and Bernard Hibbitts (MA/1981, Norman Paterson School of International Affairs) who is currently a law professor at the University of Pittsburgh. Carleton alumnus, Boudewyn van Oort, who graduated in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science (honours) degree, also received a Rhodes scholarship.

The Rhodes Scholarships, first awarded in Canada in 1904, are the best known of international scholarships. They are financed and administered by the Oxford-based Rhodes Trust established under the will of Cecil Rhodes. Up to 11 of these Scholarships are awarded annually in Canada. The Scholarships are tenable for studies at the University of Oxford in England for two or three years, beginning in October 2007.

Selection is made by committee after personal interviews and on the basis of a candidate’s record. Although scholastic ability is of importance, other factors such as character, qualities of leadership and physical vigour are carefully considered. Distinction, whether in intellect or character or a combination of these is the essential requirement.

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For more information:
Lin Moody

Media Relations

Carleton University
7613-520-2600 ext. 8705