Pictured (l-r) Steve Breyman (associate professor and director of graduate studies with Rensselaer's School of Humanities and Social Sciences), Kyle Brian Gracey, John Harrington (dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences)

Kyle Brian Gracey, a Rensselaer junior with a double major in biochemistry/biophysics, and ecological economics, values, and policy, has been selected as a 2005 Truman Scholar by the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation. The foundation cited Gracey's work on campus and in the community to improve environmental sustainability. Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of leadership potential, intellectual ability, and likelihood of "making a difference."

Gracey has been involved in numerous environmental and community projects including working at a local organic community garden, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, exploring alternative energy sources for the Rensselaer campus, and working on recycling, green purchasing, and environmental awareness in the Troy, N.Y., area.

Gracey is a member of Alpha Phi Omega, a national service fraternity; Ecologic, Rensselaer's student environmental organization; and Rensselaer's community service committee, where he works on planning monthly community service activities. He is president of the Rensselaer College Democrats, and a trumpet player with the Rensselaer Symphonic band.

"Kyle Gracey is a student who has been deeply involved in activities and programs which require students to take on leadership roles," said Steve Breyman, associate professor and director of graduate studies with Rensselaer's School of Humanities and Social Sciences. "In all of the projects that Kyle has been involved in, it is evident that he is passionate and truly dedicated to making a difference in the lives of people and in the community."

Gracey says that as a Truman scholarship recipient, he will have an opportunity to pursue a course of graduate study that focuses on economic research and sustainable development in foreign countries. "I have always been interested in learning about how communities develop and grow, both locally and abroad," said Gracey. "As a result of this, I find myself looking for ways to assist and provide people and communities with tools and ideas that can help to enrich their lives." Gracey is from Johnstown, Pa.

Gracey is the first Truman Scholar recipient from Rensselaer. The Truman Scholarship provides $30,000 for graduate study, in addition to priority admission, supplemental financial aid, leadership training, career and graduate counseling, and special internship opportunities with the federal government. According to the Truman Scholarship Foundation, this year, 75 scholars were selected from among 605 candidates nominated by 299 colleges and universities.

First published in Campus.News on April 4, 2005.

Published April 4, 2005