UND student awarded Truman Scholarship

Greyson Orne, a double-major in UAS Operations and Political Science, is UND’s 15th recipient of the award

A UND undergraduate student was in for a surprise last Thursday, 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 majoring in Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations and Political Science, had won a Truman Scholarship. The award provides about $30,000 for graduate or professional school for students studying in a public service-oriented field.

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 it 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 advises UND students who are applying 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 take part in Truman’s summer institute — an initiative pairing recent awardees with internships in Washington. Specifically, Orne said he’d like to work with either 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.

In a news release, Former Arizona Gov. and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, who is now serving as president of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, officially announced the 54 scholarship winners.

Terry Babcock-Lumish, the Foundation’s executive secretary and a 1996 Truman Scholar from Pennsylvania, congratulated all of the scholars.

“Resourceful, patriotic leaders, today’s Truman Scholars would make President Truman proud,” Babcock-Lumish said in the release. “Rising to meet their moments in this century as he did his in the 20th century, they are dedicated public servants who do not shy from challenge.”

According to the Foundation’s release, 23 (43%) recipients attend public universities, 24 (44%) attend private research universities, five (9%) attend private liberal arts colleges, and two (4%) attend service academies. Four institutions have a Truman Scholar for the first time — Drury University, Hillsdale College, Northeastern Illinois University and Xavier University of Louisiana.

The full list of 2025 Truman Scholars is at https://www.truman.gov/.

“The 54 new Truman Scholars were selected from 743 candidates nominated by 288 colleges and universities,” the Foundation’s release says.

“They were recommended by 17 independent selection panels based on the finalists’ academic success and leadership accomplishments, as well as their likelihood of becoming public service leaders. Regional selection panels included distinguished civic leaders, elected officials, university presidents, federal judges and past Truman Scholarship winners.

“Established by Congress in 1975 as the living memorial to President Harry S. Truman and a national monument to public service, the Truman Scholarship carries the legacy of our 33rd president by supporting and inspiring the next generation of public service leaders. When approached by a bipartisan group of admirers near the end of his life, President Truman embodied this commitment to the future of public service by asking Congress to create a living memorial devoted to this purpose, rather than a traditional brick-and-mortar monument.

“For almost 50 years, the Truman Foundation has fulfilled that mission: inspiring and supporting Americans from across the country.

“Now, the 54 awardees join a community of 3,618 Truman Scholars named since the first awards in 1977. Prominent Truman Scholars in government service include United States Supreme Court Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch (Colorado, 1987), Sens. Chris Coons (Delaware, 1983) and Andy Kim (New Jersey, 2003), Reps. Gabe Amo (Rhode Island, 2009), Dusty Johnson (South Dakota, 1998) and Greg Stanton (Arizona, 1990), and former White House National Security Advisors Susan Rice (District of Columbia, 1984) and Jake Sullivan (Minnesota, 1997).”