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McCall Named Truman’s
First Rhodes Scholar
Andrew
McCall has
been named
a Rhodes scholar,
placing him in a
distinct group, and
making him the first
Truman student to be
so honored. A senior
philosophy and religion major from St.
Louis, McCall was among the 32
recipients. Created in 1902, the Rhodes
scholarship covers all expenses of two to
three years of study at Oxford University
in England.
“I like to think that it is a way for me to
thank my professors for the incredible
growth they’ve guided me through while
I’ve been here,” McCall said. “Through
me, the Rhodes Trust is acknowledging the
great teaching that goes on at Truman.”
Captain of the swimming team,
McCall is five-time Division II All-
American in swimming and a violinist in
the University Symphony. He said he
was encouraged to apply by Patricia
Burton, professor of philosophy. “It
Andrew McCall
seemed like the only avenue into
graduate school that would acknowledge,
and in fact reward, the amount of time I
have invested in sports and music,”
McCall said.
After submitting his application in
September, McCall heard nothing from
the selection committee until November.
He was invited to a reception dinner and
series of interviews the weekend of Nov.
20. After his third interview Nov. 21 he
learned he had been selected. “By that
point my nerves were exhausted, and I
felt nothing but relief,” he said.
McCall plans to read for the bachelor
of philosophy, roughly the equivalent to a
master’s program at any other school,
beginning in the fall of 2010. After two
years at Oxford, he plans to pursue a
Ph.D. somewhere and ultimately teach
philosophy at a university.
While McCall may be the first
Truman Rhodes scholar, he said he
encourages others to apply in the future.
“It’s a great opportunity, and there’s no
reason Truman students shouldn’t take
advantage of it,” he said.
A Bird’s Eye View
Recent construction projects on
campus included
repairs that were made to Kirk
Memorial. In this photo, a worker can
be seen standing on the roof just to the
right of the cupola. The weathervane
on top of the cupola of this campus
landmark was welded in place to
permanently point to the northeast to
symbolize the University’s history when
the name was changed from Northeast
Missouri State University to Truman
State University.
Cultural History of
the Federal
Writers’ Project
In September, the Kansas City Public
Library welcomed Jerrold Hirsch,
professor of history, for a discussion
called “Portrait of America: A Cultural
History of the Federal Writers’ Project,”
examining the lasting value derived
from this government program.
As a leading cultural component of
the New Deal program of political and
economic reform, the FWP writers
seized their opportunity to conduct a
nationwide study of American
identity―condensed into detailed
guides to every state as well as oral
history compilations. The project
brought working class artists operating
on a grassroots level together with
white-collar administrative intellectuals
in Washington, D.C.
Director Henry Alsberg sought to
redefine American culture by
embracing its diversity, therefore his
staff considered the challenges of
creating literature in a new urbanindustrialized
world. He thought that
by introducing America to Americans,
the FWP could celebrate diversity and
promote national unity.
Hirsch’s specialty includes 20th
century American intellectual and
cultural history. He is author of the
book Portrait of America: A Cultural
History of the Federal Writers’ Project.
Winter 2009-2010 5