Senior Selected as OU’s 30th Rhodes Scholar
University of Oklahoma senior Leanne K.M. Ho has been named a 2020 Rhodes Scholar. Ho (pronouns: they/them/theirs) is an English literature and cultural studies major at the University of Oklahoma.
Rhodes Scholars are given a scholarship to Oxford University in England. At Oxford, they will pursue graduate degrees in medical anthropology and evidence-based social intervention and policy evaluation.
Ho’s academic research focuses on the impact of storytelling on social distancing from LGBTQ people. Ho is a campus leader in incorporating transgender, intersex and non-binary people into conversations about reproductive health and has advocated for increased resources and opportunities for transgender and gender non-conforming students. Ho led a successful effort to address gendered campus awards at the University of Oklahoma and was recently named the first-ever Big Non-Binary Person on Campus.
“I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given to serve others and for the people who have loved and supported me along the way,” Ho said. “It’s an honor to represent the transgender and non-binary community, which often goes unrecognized and overlooked. As a Rhodes Scholar, I look forward to using my education at Oxford to further my advocacy for marginalized communities.”
“We are thrilled to celebrate Leanne’s success, leadership and commitment to amplifying the voices and perspectives of those who are often dismissed,” said OU Interim President Joseph Harroz Jr. “Leanne is a remarkable member of the OU community and is sure to find continued success as a Rhodes Scholar. We are immensely proud of Leanne and OU’s tradition of producing Rhodes Scholars.”
This year, 963 U.S. applicants were endorsed by 298 different colleges and universities. In the end, 32 Rhodes Scholars were chosen.
The award is often considered to be the most prestigious for American college graduates. Rhodes Scholars are chosen not only for their outstanding scholarly achievements, but for their character, commitment to others and to the common good, and for their potential for leadership.
Article Published: Wednesday, December 4, 2019