May 9, 2005
McCombs Student Wins Truman Scholarship, Presidential Leadership Award

This April, Lauren Gilstrap, a junior at the McCombs School of Business, had an award-winning month. The Marshall, Texas native landed both the Harry S. Truman Scholarship and the Texas Exes’ Presidential Leadership Award. She is one of two University of Texas at Austin students who received the Truman this year, making this the eighth year in a row that UT Austin students have been selected. As for the Presidential Leadership Award, she was one of seven Texas students awarded this prestigious distinction.

Gilstrap double-majors in Business Honors and Plan II Honors. She serves as a health and human services legislative assistant for Texas State Senator Judith Zaffirini. Previously, she held a similar position in the office of State Senator Eliot Shapleigh. Gilstrap coordinated a research program at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston’s School of Public Health. Her volunteer activities include work at the Settlement Home, the Texas Department of Health, Brackenridge Hospital and IMPACT.

In addition to her work outside the University, Gilstrap makes her mark on campus with her involvement in student government, the Senate of College Councils and as a member of the Orange Jackets service organization.

As one of 75 students from 60 colleges and universities to be awarded the Harry S. Truman Scholarship, Gilstrap will receive $30,000 to pursue her graduate studies. The Truman Scholarship Foundation was established by Congress in 1975 as the federal memorial to the nation's 33rd president. The scholarships are designated for students preparing for careers in government or other facets of public service, and recipients are selected based on exceptional leadership potential, intellectual ability and their commitments to "making a difference.”

After graduation, Gilstrap plans to pursue a career in the medical field focusing on public health and legislative health care policy.