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Division of Academic Engagement and Student Achievement Distinguished Scholarships Program

WSU Alumna Nife Shola-Dare Finalist for Rhodes-West Africa Scholarship

Nife Shola-Dare, 2021 finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship for West Africa.

Washington State University neuroscience and Honors College alumna Oluwanifemi “Nife” Shola-Dare (Neuroscience ’21) has been recognized as a finalist for a Rhodes Scholarship for West Africa, said April Seehafer, director of the WSU Distinguished Scholarships Program. “Becoming a Rhodes finalist is an acknowledgement of my academic achievements and my career goals, and of the leadership roles I have held over many years,” said Shola-Dare.

Nife Shola-Dare, 2021 finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship for West Africa. PULLMAN, Wash.—Washington State University neuroscience and Honors College alumna Oluwanifemi “Nife” Shola-Dare (Neuroscience ’21) has been recognized as a finalist for a Rhodes Scholarship for West Africa, said April Seehafer, director of the WSU Distinguished Scholarships Program.

The Rhodes is the oldest prestigious scholarship program available to exceptional graduate scholars, providing funding for studies at Oxford University in the United Kingdom. WSU had 10 Rhodes Scholars from 1907 to 1956. Prior to Shola-Dare, the most recent finalists were in 1984 and 2017.

“Becoming a Rhodes finalist is an acknowledgement of my academic achievements and my career goals, and of the leadership roles I have held over many years,” said Shola-Dare. “With this accomplishment, I am confident I can do more, be better, and achieve even more in times to come.

“This is definitely a tremendous honor, one that I don’t take for granted,” she said.

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WSU Senior Ryan Summers Finalist for Rhodes scholarship

Rhodes finalist Ryan Summers.

MEDIA CONTACT:  April Seehafer, Director, WSU Distinguished Scholarships Program, Office of Undergraduate Education, 509-335-8239, seehafer@wsu.edu

Beverly Makhani, Director, Communications, WSU Office of Undergraduate Education, 509-335-6679, makhani@wsu.edu

Portrait photo of Rhodes finalist Ryan SummersPULLMAN, Wash.—Washington State University computer engineering, German, and Honors College student Ryan Summers interviewed Nov. 17-18 in Seattle as a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship, arguably the oldest and best known of the prestigious scholarships available to American college graduates.

WSU has had 10 Rhodes Scholars from 1907 to 1956. Prior to Summers, the most recent finalist was in 1984.

“The interview process was fascinating, plus I made new friends,” Summers said Sunday.

“It’s all been a great experience.  From the time I first thought of applying, I have had amazing support from my family, friends, and so many at WSU along the way. I am very thankful.”

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