A Rhodes Scholar is a winner of one of the approximately 90 Rhodes Scholarships awarded each year by the Rhodes foundation. Rhodes Scholar recipients study at Oxford University, in England, for one to two years. This study may be applied to the degree the Scholar may be working towards at another University, or it may serve to complete a degree. The Rhodes Scholar may also be seeking an advanced degree. In fact, many use their scholarship to pursue Master’s or Ph.D. programs at Oxford.

The Rhodes Trust was established in 1902, through the will of Cecil John Rhodes. Students eligible to apply to become a Rhodes Scholar were and still are supposed to have a fondness for sports, or success in sports, strong moral character, devotion to duty, interest in one’s fellow citizens and desire to lead. Initially the scholarship was awarded to students solely from the US, the UK, and Germany.

With the beginning of World War I, a German could not become a Rhodes Scholar. Ability for Germans to apply was not reinstated until after WWII. However, no German student became a Rhodes Scholar again until 1971. Today, citizens of countries that are free and democratic are eligible to submit applications for Rhodes Scholarships. Women, however, were not permitted to apply until 1977.

Different countries receive a yearly allocation for the number or Rhodes Scholarships. For example in the US, there are 32 scholarships available year. Canada has 11. Germany is only allowed two scholarships. Most smaller countries are only allowed one to two scholarships per year.

Being a Rhodes Scholar is quite an accomplishment and comes with extraordinary benefits. Not only is full tuition paid, but students also receive a generous stipend to live on, and may receive additional scholarships through Oxford. A number of quite famous people were once honored by being made a Rhodes Scholar.

Some well-known Rhode Scholars include:

• Robert Penn Warren — Former Poet Laureate of the US.
• Dean Rusk — Former US Secretary of State.
• Bill Clinton — Former President of the US.
• Kim Beazley — Deputy Prime Minister of Australia.
• George Stephanopoulos — director of communications for Clinton’s 1992 campaign, now political commentator.

Numerous other notables have had the distinction of being a Rhodes Scholar. In fact for most recipients, it is a matter of some significant pride, and usually implies great scholastic ability.