'There's a story of a woman who gave her diamonds to a homeless man on the street,' junior Emily Nohner said. 'When asked why she gave her diamonds away she responded, 'God didn't make diamonds just for the wealthy.' I think sometimes we forget that education is also a gift, and meant to be shared.'

This political science major believes students at the University of Dayton, herself included, sometimes forget they are in the top 1 percent of the world and opportunities are not meant to be horded. It was Nohner's drive to raise consciousness of inequality around the world that made her one of 75 recipients of the $30,000 Harry S. Truman scholarship. She competed with nearly 600 juniors from 311 schools who are also committed to academic excellence and service.

Nohner cannot pinpoint a specific instance that shaped her lifestyle into today's hectic one that earned her the scholarship. She accredits it to her parents' work.

'I'm hesitant to use the term 'workaholic' to describe my dad because of the negative connotation,' Nohner said. 'But he was very passionate about his work as a doctor, always on-call and rested only to spend time with family.'

Nohner remembers both her parents maximizing any time they had. Her mother was a nurse before raising her children and later returned to the working world as a paralegal. Nohner is inspired that on top of busy works schedules her parents raised four 'amazing kids.'

Nohner is the second child to attend college and chose UD because of the various service organizations and international studies program. On campus, she is president of the peace and social justice service club Pax Christi, on the executive board of Women's Week and vocal about human rights. She traveled to Uganda and Bangladesh and has summer plans to go to Zambia.

Chris Duncan, chair of the political science department, first met Nohner at a recruitment fair for UD. He is now her faculty adviser and Truman's faculty representative for UD. Duncan said he is very proud of Emily's demonstration of the university to the rest of the country.

'She has all of the makings of what is usually called a 'transformational leader',' Duncan said in a recent press interview. 'I believe that her conviction, intellect and personal witness will one day lead her to an international stage, and that the world will be made better and less broken as a result of her presence.'

Currently, Nohner is looking ahead only as far as summer in search of a job or internship. She would enjoy working in Washington, D.C., and hopes to travel more in the future. Her trip to Bangladesh with ethical auditors led to an interest in work with NGOs or tsunami work in Asia.

Nohner is grateful to everyone that helped her prepare for the interviews, especially her roommates. They were supportive throughout the process and always lent a listening ear. She felt if the committee chose her it would be as if they all were receiving the award.

Nohner's hopes to make the most of her last year on campus, as her multiple activities and passions have caused time on the campus to fly by.

'I have a strong belief in this campus,' Nohner said. 'I'm not doing this because I'm exceptional. People should aim high and I'm here for any support they may have if they would like to try for the scholarship.'

Duncan often selects the applicants himself but is open to any suggestions of sophomores from students and faculty.

'This lets everyone in on what is sometimes kept quiet,' Duncan said. 'UD has students doing great things with an emphasis on service.'