National recognition: ETSU student finalist for major scholarship

An East Tennessee State University student is a finalist for a Harry S. Truman Scholarship, a highly competitive and prestigious award.  

Trent White, a graduate of Unicoi County High School and the current president of the Student Government Association at ETSU, will find out if he wins in the spring.  

“As a first-generation college student, I am honored to be selected as a finalist for the Truman Scholarship, and I look forward to representing the Buccaneer spirit as I move forward in the selection process,” he said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to showcase my personal journey and the Appalachian region in the next round of interviews.”  

White has shown incredible leadership on campus and in the community. Elected president of the SGA in 2023, he’s also a member of the Roan Scholars Leadership Program, a premier scholarship program at ETSU.  

“It’s wonderful to see Trent selected as a Truman finalist. He is a remarkable individual and an outstanding leader who has made a tremendously positive impact on his fellow students and the entire campus community. The Truman is a highly competitive national award,” said Roan Scholars Executive Director Scott Jeffress. “We are so proud of Trent for being named a finalist and are excited to see where this opportunity will take him.”  

He’s also president of the successful Mock Trial chapter at the university. He won an outstanding attorney award at Kennesaw State University’s Owl Classic last fall.   

“I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Trent White over the course of the past three years as a student, a campus leader, a member of the mock trial team and an intern in my office,” said Dr. Mark Fulks, university counsel and a Mock Trial coach. “During that time, he has consistently demonstrated superior leadership abilities and a keen interest in pursuing a life of public service.”   

ETSU has signaled a strong commitment to assist students in applying for nationally and globally competitive scholarships.    

In recent years, students have secured prestigious awards, including a Goldwater Scholarship and one from the U.S. Department of State, and alumnus Shivam Patel was a finalist for a Rhodes Scholarship last year. 

“Trent’s success is bringing back a tradition of ETSU and the Truman. Our last winner was Steven Drinnon in 1992, and before that Betty Miles (1987) and Barbara Saylers-Fulmer (1980),” said Dr. Carson Medley, assistant dean of the Honors College and director of Prestigious Awards.  “Trent’s triumph illustrates the team effort and hard work it takes to be considered for a prestigious award like this,” he added.  “We started back in March 2023 and assembled a dream team – Provost Kimberly D. McCorkle, President Dr. Brian Noland, University Counsel Mark Fulks, Scott Jeffress and the Prestigious Awards team. Trent went through draft after draft and consulted with our staff multiple times.”  

White is a junior at ETSU, majoring in political science.   

“ETSU encourages growth and celebrates the triumphs of our students and graduates, including national and global recognitions,” said McCorkle, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs. “Trent has truly made us proud with all he has accomplished so far.”