Academy cadet wins $30,000 scholarship Published April 5, 2005 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFPN) -- Cadet 2nd Class Christopher Culver is among the 75 winners of the Truman Award nationwide, Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation officials announced recently. The scholarship provides $30,000 for graduate study, along with priority admission and supplemental financial aid at certain premier graduate institutions. Cadet Culver is the 13th cadet to win the award since its inception in 1977.From Fruitland, Idaho, 23-year-old Cadet Culver is a civil engineering major with minors in Chinese and Japanese. “The two years I spent in Taiwan had a profound effect on me and greatly kindled my interest in East Asia,” said Cadet Culver, who hopes to be a pilot after graduation. “I feel extremely grateful. The other candidates were extremely well qualified.”More than 600 candidates were nominated by 299 colleges and universities on the basis of leadership potential, intellectual ability and likelihood of “making a difference.” After review by 19 independent selection panels, 75 scholars were chosen. Five attend a service academy.The 2005 Truman Scholars will assemble May 15 for a week-long leadership development program at William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo., and receive their awards in a special ceremony at the Truman Library in Independence, Mo., on May 22.