UND student awarded Truman Scholarship
Greyson Orne, a double major in Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations and Political Science, is UND’s 15th recipient of the award
A UND undergraduate was in for a surprise on April 10, when the University’s president and provost entered his classroom in Robin Hall.
That’s when President Andy Armacost and Provost Eric Link announced that Greyson Orne, a junior double-majoring in Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations and Political Science, had won a Truman Scholarship. The award provides approximately $30,000 for graduate or professional school for students studying in a public service-oriented field, according to the organization’s website.
Hailing from Camden, Maine, Orne is one of 60 undergraduate students nationally – representing 54 institutions – to be awarded the scholarship. He is UND’s 15th Truman recipient since the award was established in 1977, according to Mark Jendrysik, professor of political science and public administration.
Also on hand to congratulate Orne were Jendrysik and Yee Han Chu, UND’s academic support and fellowship opportunities coordinator.
Jendrysik, who served as Orne’s lead advisor in applying for the scholarship, said that not only is the award itself a significant accomplishment, but also confers the benefit of membership in an expansive professional network.
“When you win something like this, you join a community of people who are invested in your success,” Jendrysik said. “A lot of people are going to meet Greyson and say, ‘We’re going to invest in this young man, and make sure he succeeds beyond his wildest dreams.’”
Chu, who as part of her role encourages UND students to apply for nationally competitive scholarships, praised Orne’s scholastic aptitude.
“It was a delight working with Greyson,” she said. “I see such great potential for him as a Truman scholar.”
Orne spent his first year of undergraduate studies at Colby College in his home state of Maine, before transferring to UND in the fall of 2022. Since arriving in Grand Forks, he has hit the ground running — serving in leadership roles within various student organizations, and interning with both the Northern Plains UAS Test Site and General Atomics.
In his application essays, Orne said he plans to participate in Truman’s summer institute — an initiative pairing recent awardees with internships in Washington. Specifically, Orne said he’d like to work with the FAA’s UAS division or the U.S. House or Senate committees on Transportation, on the topic of integrating UAS technology into the national airspace.
Truman scholarships are awarded by the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, “the nation’s official living memorial to our 33rd president and the presidential monument to public service,” the foundation’s website states.
“Created by Congress in 1975, the Foundation was President Truman’s idea. A pragmatic Midwesterner who did not attend college, President Truman did not want a brick-and-mortar monument. Instead, he encouraged a living memorial that would give life to the values of service that animated his career.
“In that spirit, the Truman Foundation supports Americans answering the call to serve.”
Media contact: David Dodds, director of communicatons, david.dodds@UND.edu.
Media photos:
***
