Claire Lynch, ’18, a Macaulay Honors College student at City College, has been named a 2017 Harry S. Truman Scholar. Lynch’s award includes a grant of $30,000 towards tuition for her graduate studies and a number of professional development opportunities in public service leadership. The Bayview, Long Island junior, who has a double-major in Political Science and Jewish Studies, is one of 62 students selected for the prestigious Truman Scholarship this year.
“We are very proud of Claire Lynch for becoming a Truman Scholar,” said Mary C. Pearl, Ph.D., Dean of Macaulay. “In the 40-year history of Truman Scholars, CUNY has had 13 students who have won this distinguished honor, and more than half of them—7— have come from Macaulay. This is an exceptional achievement for an institution whose first class only graduated in 2005.”
“I’m just incredibly grateful for the resources and support I received from the Truman alumni community and the Macaulay/CCNY honors department,” said Lynch. “I felt that I was incredibly prepared for what was a very intensive interview and I’m so thankful for all the help I had.”
Lynch interests include migration, immigration, and refugee work, but she is currently deciding whether she wants to pursue these issues from a policy or legal perspective. The Locust Valley High School graduate is also considering pursuing a Master’s degree in either Public Policy, or Middle Eastern Studies, or going law school. Lynch will also be the first person in her immediate family to complete college.
Besides the grant and professional opportunities, Truman Scholars also gain the prestige that comes with belonging to an elite group of students tapped for their potential to become leaders.
On the night of May 10, 2017, members of the Macaulay came together to honor select seniors in the Macaulay community. In addition to the inaugural Provost’s award, seniors also received awards from the Bruno Salazar Alumni Network, and the Spirit of Macaulay citation. Each of the 8 campuses gave awards from two categories: Community Service: Recognizing outstanding volunteer service work that exemplifies Macaulay’s belief that every student must challenge him or herself to improve the lives of others; and Legacy: Recognizing exceptional co-curricular contributions to the Macaulay community that have provided a template for future student activities and outreach.