Vanderbilt University junior Rincon Jagarlamudi is one of 60 students nationwide selected as a 2024 Truman Scholar and will receive $30,000 in scholarships for graduate school.
Jagarlamudi is also eligible to participate in professional development programming to help prepare him for a career in public service leadership. He will receive his awards during a ceremony at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum in Independence, Missouri.
Jagarlamudi, a biochemistry major from Missouri who is the son of two immigrant parents, is preparing for a career in medicine. During his time at Vanderbilt, he was co-president of Next Steps Ambassadores, the support group for Vanderbilt's inclusive higher education program for neurodiverse individuals, and he is campus policy chair for Active Minds, a group committed to heightening awareness and supporting mental health on college campuses.
Jagarlamudi founded the flagship ambassador site for the nonprofit Hip Hop Public Health, using hip-hop music and culture to break down cultural barriers to health literacy and equity in Nashville. He aspires to pair his role as a disability rights advocate with his plan to become a physician focused on patients with neurodevelopmental conditions. Outside of advocacy and service, Jagarlamudi enjoys watching Formula 1 races, singing karaoke and playing pickup basketball with friends.
He is Vanderbilt's first Truman scholar since 2015. Vanderbilt junior Charu Balamurugan was a Truman Scholar finalist among this year's candidates.
Alissa Hare, who is co-director of the Biochemistry and Chemical Biology program, said Jagarlamudi has been a standout student.
"We are thrilled to hear that Rincon has been awarded the Truman Scholarship to join the 2024 cohort of scholars. As a biochemistry and chemical biology major, Rincon has demonstrated excellence in his coursework and a commitment to conducting research at the highest level," said Hare, who is Jagarlamudi's academic adviser. "Rincon is motivated by his desire to work at the interface of translational research and public health. We are glad to have Rincon represent Vanderbilt and the BCB program to the world. He sets a wonderful example of what our students can achieve in scholarship, research and service."
The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation was created by Congress in 1975 to be the nation's living memorial to President Harry S. Truman. The foundation's mission is to select and support the next generation of public service leaders, and the Truman award has become one of the most prestigious national scholarships in the United States.
Annually, candidates for the Truman Scholarship go through a rigorous, multi-stage selection process. In 2024, there were 709 candidates for the award nominated by 285 colleges and universities. The 193 finalists were interviewed in March and early April at one of 16 regional selection panels.
