Conley Chaney, a junior in the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, recently was selected as a 2002 recipient of the $30,000 Harry S. Truman Scholarship. This is the first time a College of Agriculture student has been selected for the prestigious and highly competitive award.

“This is one of the highest honors an undergraduate student can receive in the United States,” said Joe Davis, College of Agriculture associate dean for instruction. “To be selected is indicative of the type of students we’re recruiting to the College.”

Chaney was one of 64 winners chosen from 590 candidates from 287 colleges and universities. He and Julie Murray from the UK College of Arts and Sciences were the tenth and eleventh students from UK to win the scholarship. The money is mostly for graduate study, but the recipients can use $3,000 for their senior year of undergraduate study.

A public service and leadership major, Chaney wants to pursue a career in environmental law and community development. He is a native of McCreary County. His parents are Phil and Judy Chaney, who currently live in Stearns, Ky.

“I want to take an active role in building stronger communities and protecting the beautiful, unique natural landscape and resources of my native southeastern Kentucky region.” he said. “I plan to use this scholarship to help pay for law school, but I am looking into master's programs around the country to possibly pursue before going on to law school.”

The Truman Foundation allows recipients to defer the scholarship for up to four years and the funds can be used for any program they deem to be public-service oriented. Chaney is considering law schools such as UK, Vanderbilt and Vermont.

In addition to the scholarship money, recipients also earn priority admission and additional funding at prestigious graduate schools, leadership training, career and graduate school counseling and special federal government internship opportunities.

Chaney and Murray will travel to William Jewel College in Liberty, Missouri in late May to join other Truman winners for a week-long leadership development program. They will receive their scholarships at a May 26 awards ceremony at the Truman Library in Independence, Missouri.