Lucy Farley could be the second BHS graduate in recent years to become a Truman Scholar
Riva Sharples | Editor
Lucy Farley, a 2022 graduate of Beresford High School, is a finalist in the highly competitive Truman Scholar program.
Farley, who just finished her junior year as a political science and nutrition double major at the College of Saint Benedict in Minnesota, is one of 201 finalists for the program, which provides $30,000 for graduate school. The Truman Scholar program is named after Harry S. Truman and is aimed at students pursuing careers in public service. In addition to providing money for school, being a Truman Scholar offers recipients extensive programming, mentorship opportunities, and a direct hiring authority with the federal government.
In its recent past, Beresford High School produced another Truman Scholar finalist- Caleb Weiland of the Class of 2020 – who went on to win the impressive scholarship.
“This is quite an honor for Beresford to have two kids make it that far with this prestigious scholarship,” said Amy Farley, Lucy’s mom. “Just a nomination is quite an honor. The application process is lengthy & interviews are very rigorous.”
Adds Farley: “When I found out I was a finalist, I was honestly shocked.” In fact, it was such an important opportunity that Farley had to fly back early from South Africa, where she was studying abroad this past spring, for the in-person interview. “The other applicants are so driven and qualified that I didn’t know what to expect. It was humbling and incredibly affirming.”
According to the Truman Foundation’s website, a total of 743 applications for this year’s class were received from 288 institutions – meaning Farley is already in select company.
“Lucy is a star student academically, but she also has had key experiences outside the classroom – an internship in Washington, D.C., and work with Square One Global on campus,” said Phil Kronebusch, a professor of political science and coordinator of competitive fellowships at the College of Saint Benedict. “That makes her an excellent candidate for the Truman Scholarship. In these partisan times, it is great to see a student so committed to public service and solving problems.”
Farley credits her education at Beresford High School, as well as her time at the College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University for helping her reach this achievement.
“The academic culture at CSB/SJU challenges you to think critically, deeply and intentionally,” she says. “As a double major in two very different fields (STEM-based nutrition and policy-driven political science), I’m constantly switching gears. But I’ve come to see how interconnected they really are. Professors don’t just teach content, they encourage resilience, embrace failure as a learning tool and genuinely want you to grow. … That culture has made me a better thinker and person.”
Post-graduation, Farley hopes to pursue a career “at the intersection of nutrition policy and public service.”
At Saint Benedict/Saint John’s, Farley is the co-director of Square One Global, an on-campus nonprofit organization. She is also a part of the CSB club dance team, has taken part in the Washington, D.C., summer study program (working with the Better Medicine Alliance) and Bennie Bible Study, as well as serving as a lector for SJU Campus Ministry. She also previously ran hurdles on the CSB track and field team.