Spartan Profiles: Jennifer Sykes

TRUMAN SCHOLAR

            In the past quarter century, MSU leads all public universities in the production of Rhodes Scholars. But a good share of MSU students also win other prestigious scholarships. The latest winner is MSU senior Jennifer Sykes, w'99, who won the coveted Truman Scholar award--$30,000 for her graduate education. The seventh student in James Madison College to win the award, Sykes spent the summer as a Washington D.C. intern. 'I'm looking forward to getting a degree in the area of child advocacy,' says Jennifer, who is an intern with the Children's Defense Fund in D.C. 'That might mean getting two master's degrees in social work and in public policy, but ideally, I can find one degree program.'

            A native of Caro, Jennifer was raised by foster parents since age 14, Cora and Richard Downing. 'I've always been interested in humanitarian and public policy issues,' she explains. 'But being in a foster home was probably key in tipping my interest towards child welfare.' A National Merit Scholar out of high school, Jennifer chose to attend MSU over the University of Michigan. 'James Madison College was the main attraction,' she recounts. 'I visited both schools, and both Honors programs. The people at MSU showed a more personal interest in you. I got to know the faculty real well. Now I know I absolutely made the right decision.' 

            Jennifer singles out Katherine See and Julia Grant as two key mentors. 'They're incredible,' she says. 'To say that they are helpful is an understatement.' While at MSU, Jennifer works two jobs, including as debate judge on weekends, and maintains a 3.95 GPA. Winning the Truman award, she says, was a major experience. 'You have to go through quite a grueling process,' she notes. 'At the MSU level, my interview with Ron Fisher (of Honors College) was perhaps even more challenging than those at the national level.'