Two 海角社区 Ogden Honors College Students Named Truman Scholarship Finalists

March 06, 2024

BATON ROUGE, LA 鈥 The 海角社区 Roger Hadfield Ogden Honors College is proud to announce that Anna Cattar, of Central, La., and Lailah Williams, of McKinney, Tx., have been selected as finalists for the prestigious Truman Scholarship. 

The Truman Foundation鈥檚 Finalist Selection Committee selected 191 students from 136 institutions to interview with the Foundation鈥檚 Regional Review Panels between March 1st and April 3rd. In 2024, the Foundation received 709 applications from 285 institutions.

Cattar is a junior studying sociology and interdisciplinary studies in the College of Humanities & Social Sciences; Williams is a junior studying political science and international studies in the College of Humanities & Social Sciences. 

Cattar is part of the Louisiana Service and Leadership, or LASAL, Scholars Program, which prepares Ogden Honors College students for leadership roles in Louisiana, particularly in the fields of public service, social justice and environmental sustainability. Cattar received the Ogden Leaders Grant to create the Adelante program, which partners with Humanities Amped to support ELL students in the East Baton Rouge Public School System. She is one of six Project 225 officers that works with local service and nonprofit organizations to fulfill the needs of the Greater Baton Rouge community.  As part of her Truman application, Cattar presented a policy proposal on increasing health literacy in Louisiana.  After graduating, she wishes to pursue a dual JD and MPA degree.

Williams is a member of the 海角社区 Student Government Senate. Williams is also the Alumni Advisor and Senior Advisor of the YMCA Model United Nations and Youth Legislature. Her work with Geaux Vote 海角社区 has encouraged many students to engage with the political process.  Williams is also Director of Political Outreach for the Black Student Union. As part of her Truman application, she presented a policy proposal on natural disaster relief for Louisiana鈥檚 renters.  Upon graduation, Williams would like to pursue a Master of Science in Data Science for Public Policy.

鈥淭hese exceptional students embody the very essence of change-makers sought by the Truman Scholarship Foundation. I wish them both luck with their interviews,鈥 said Ogden Honors College Dean Jonathan Earle. 

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Contact: Jordyn Martin
Communications Manager
225-578-0083
jwarr28@lsu.edu

Anna Cattar

Lailah Williams