Dowdall Nominated for Rhodes, Marshall Scholarships

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Senior Spencer Dowdall (Coral Springs, Fla./Coral Springs HS), a member of the University of Michigan men's track and field team, will be honored on Wednesday (Oct. 19) by U-M Interim Provost Ned Gramlich and the Provost's Council on Student Honors as one of Michigan's nominees for the 2006 Rhodes and Marshall scholarships. He is one of only seven current or recently graduated U-M students nominated for the prestigious scholarships.

Dowdall

"This is a big honor," said Dowdall. "I had thought about applying for these scholarships for a long time, and I was really hoping to be a part of them. I am excited to be one of the nominees."

A three-year letterwinner as a pole vaulter on the Wolverine track team, Dowdall will graduate in April with three degrees from U-M: his bachelor's degree in honors mathematics, a master's in mathematics and a master's in physics.

"When I got here, I knew that I wanted to do math and physics," said Dowdall, "so I started taking those classes right away. I learned about a concurrent undergraduate and graduate studies program through reading the bulletin, and it seemed like something I'd be interested in. As time progressed and I amassed a lot of credits, I realized it would be possible, so I started implementing that before my junior year. I came into school with about 60 credits from high school AP courses, so I was able to start taking more advanced classes sooner."

Once nominated, Dowdall must be be selected as a semifinalist by the regional committee and then complete an interview process, after which scholarship winners will be announced in November. There are 16 regions, and each region chooses two scholars. If he is selected, Dowdall will use his scholarship to earn a doctoral degree in mathematics with future plans to teach at the university level.

Marshall Scholarships finance young Americans of high ability to study for a degree in the United Kingdom. Marshall Scholars can choose from a large number of universities and programs in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Rhodes Scholarships provide funding for two or three years of graduate study in Great Britain. An international scholarship with 32 American recipients, the Rhodes Scholarships are used in any program available at Oxford. Nominees for both scholarships must hold an undergraduate degree by the fall in which the scholarship begins. Successful candidates usually have a grade point average of 3.7 or higher and participate in activities that demonstrate leadership and commitment.

Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423

University of Michigan Athletics

Players Mentioned

Spencer Dowdall

Spencer Dowdall

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