CLEVELAND -- Niuniu Ji, a senior in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Case Western Reserve University, has been awarded the highly prized Rhodes Scholarship, following in the footsteps of President Bill Clinton and Supreme Court Justice David Souter.
In October 2001, Ji will begin two-year studies at Oxford University in England to complete an honors B.A. in economics and management after receiving his degree at CWRU in May 2001. "I hope to one day improve our society by creating new companies that leverage new technologies such as the Internet and genomics," said Ji, who is from Greenville, North Carolina. "In September 2001, I will join other Rhodes Scholars in Washington, D.C., for several receptions, where I will have the opportunity to meet Supreme Court justices, among other people," he added.
Ji is the founder of FreeDonation.com, a Web service that allows anyone to donate to charity for free, with the contribution paid for by corporate sponsors. Since its inception in 1999, the site has generated more than 10 million donations by visitors from more than 100 countries, raising more than $50,000 for more than 16 charities worldwide. The Rhodes Scholarships, oldest of the international study awards available to American students, were created in 1902 by the will of Cecil Rhodes, a British philanthropist and colonial pioneer.
Ji was chosen from 950 applicants who were endorsed by 327 colleges and universities in nationwide competition on the basis of the criteria set down in Rhodes' will -- high academic achievement, integrity of character, a spirit of unselfishness, respect for others, potential for leadership, and physical vigor. These basic characteristics would fulfill Rhodes' hope that the Rhodes Scholars would make an effective and positive contribution throughout the world.
Ji was among 95 applicants from 74 colleges and universities who reached the final stage of the competition. He is among 32 winners representing 28 different endorsing institutions, the broadest range in the 98-year history of the U. S. Rhodes Scholarships. The Rhodes Trust will pay all college and university fees and provide a stipend to cover Ji's necessary expenses while in residence in Oxford as well as during vacations, and travel to and from England. "This scholarship has reaffirmed the choices I have made about my education at CWRU and feels great. I am very excited about the opportunity to study at Oxford and to meet new people and learn interesting things," Ji added.
Ji and 31 other Rhodes Scholars chosen from the United States will join an international group of scholars from 18 other countries around the world. In addition to the 32 Americans, scholars also are selected from Australia, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Canada, the nations of the Caribbean Commonwealth, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. About 95 scholars are selected worldwide each year.
With the elections announced this year, 2,918 Americans have won Rhodes Scholarships since the first election in 1903, representing 297 colleges and universities. American Rhodes Scholars are living in all parts of the United States and abroad.