University of Virginia Library

Annual Competition Begins
For Rhodes Scholarships

By Brian DeLaney
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Those seeking the coveted title of
Rhodes Scholar should make their
interests known soon, as applications for
this year's competition must be
submitted by October 22. Applications
may be obtained from J.J. Murray in
room 254, Gilmer Hall.

Of the 32 Rhodes Scholars chosen last
year, William Wright, of Macon, Georgia;
Charles A. Shanor, of Gainesville, Florida;
and Carlos C. Trower, of Harrodsburg,
Kentucky, were students at the
University. Hopefully more students will
be chosen from the University this year
to join the honored group whose members have
been described by Look Magazine as "a
combination of Mr. Jefferson, Daniel Boone,
and the Angel Gabriel."

Application

An applicant for the Rhodes Scholarship
must be a male United States citizen,
unmarried, have at least five years domicile in
the United States, be between the ages of 18
and 24 on October 1st of the year he is
applying, and be at least a third-year man at
some recognized degree-granting American
university or college.

Thirty-two American Rhodes Scholars are
chosen every year. Groupings of six or seven
states form a district, with each district sending
four students to the University of Oxford as
Rhodes Scholars.

A Rhodes Scholarship entitles a student to
at least two years at Oxford University, with a
stipend of 900 pounds per year. A student may
pursue almost any course of study that appeals
to him while at Oxford.

Cecil John Rhodes amassed a fortune in
diamonds and gold while colonizing South
Africa in the late 19th century, and left the
greater part of his fortune to establish the
program that bears his name.

Mr. Rhodes indicated in his will that
candidates should possess: (1) literary and
scholastic attainments; (2) fondness for and
success in manly sports; (3) qualities of
manhood, truth, courage, devotion to duty,
sympathy for and protection of the weak,
kindliness, unselfishness and fellowship; (4)
moral force of character and of instincts to
lead.

Faculty Committee

After applications have been handed in here
at the University, a committee of faculty will
review all candidates and choose those it feels
are eligible and best fulfill the requirements set
down by Cecil John Rhodes.

Those candidates who have received
satisfactory recommendation from the student
faculty committee will next face competition at
the state level in December. Each state then
may send two candidates to compete at the
district level.