NEW SCHOOL STUDENT JENNIFER ONOFRIO WINS
2006 TRUMAN SCHOLARSHIP

New York, NY, May 16— Jennifer Onofrio, a student in the New School’s bachelor's program, has been awarded a 2006 Truman Scholarship. Ms. Onofrio is one of two students in the state of New York to receive the award. She teaches job readiness to inmates at Rikers Island and performs research with the Prison Visiting Project of the Correctional Association of New York. She is also the founding executive director of Voices of the Free, an arts and political advocacy organization. As a Truman scholar, Ms. Onofrio plans to pursue a PhD in either organizational behavior or social policy.

“I am entirely grateful for the Foundation's affirmation of my vision for prison reform,” she said. “This scholarship is extremely competitive, and to be selected with an otherwise unpopular platform is such an honor.” This week at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, the 2006 Truman Scholars assemble for a leadership development program. On May 21, they receive their awards in a special ceremony at the Truman Library in Independence, Missouri, 75 scholars were selected this year from nearly 600 candidates nominated by 311 colleges and universities. Each scholarship provides $30,000 for graduate study. Scholars also receive priority admission and supplemental financial aid at premier graduate institutions, leadership training, career and graduate school counseling, and special internship opportunities with the federal government. Recipients must be U.S. citizens and have outstanding leadership potential. In addition, they must be in the top quarter of their class and demonstrate a keen commitment to public service.

About The Truman Scholarship Foundation

The mission of the Truman Scholarship Foundation is to find and recognize college juniors with exceptional leadership potential who are committed to careers in government, the nonprofit or advocacy sectors, or education, and to provide them with financial support for graduate study, leadership training, and opportunities to interact with other students who are committed to making a difference through public service. Since the Foundation first awarded scholarships in 1977, hundreds of college juniors have competed every year for roughly 80 awards. For a listing of the 2006 scholars and more information on the foundation, visit www.truman.gov.

About The New School

Located in the heart of New York City’s Greenwich Village, The New School is a center of academic excellence where intellectual and artistic freedoms thrive. The 9,000 matriculated students and more than 6,000 continuing education students who attend the university’s eight schools enjoy a disciplined education supported by small class sizes, superior resources, and renowned working faculty who practice what they teach. Artists, scholars, and students from all walks of life attend diverse programs and can earn everything from program certificates to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. When The New School was founded in 1919, its mission was to create a place where global peace and justice were more than theoretical ideals. To this day, New School students participate in programs that strive for academic excellence, technical mastery, and engaged world citizenship. For more information, visit www.newschool.edu.