U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFPN) -- Three Air Force Academy cadets have captured the trifecta of prestigious graduate scholarships.
Cadet 1st Class Nicholas Shelly has been named a Rhodes Scholar and plans to spend his two years at Oxford University in England studying international relations. He is the academy's 34th Rhodes Scholar.
Cadet 1st Class Christopher Campbell has been awarded a Marshall Scholarship. For two years, he will study applied mathematics and control systems at the University of Cambridge. He is the academy's 9th Marshall Scholar.
Cadet 1st Class Alicia Stirewalt, a biology major and Truman Scholarship recipient, is exploring graduate programs in cancer research. She is the 15th Truman Scholar for the academy.
"The academy regularly sends its finest cadets into these prestigious scholarship competitions since the criteria for selection mirror those that the academy sets for all of its graduates: to combine academic excellence with a commitment to service, character and leadership," said Brig. Gen. Dana Born, dean of faculty.
General Born credits dedicated faculty focused on learning and outstanding role models at the academy, the new academy scholars program with honors courses in humanities and social sciences and existing humanities seminars for boosting the eligibility of cadets for the prestigious scholarships.
There are 32 American Rhodes Scholar winners selected each year. The distinction requires outstanding academics as well as excellence in character which will translate into effective service to the world.
"I was in absolute shock," Cadet Shelly said of hearing of his selection. "The moment didn't seem real."
The computer science major with a Japanese minor at the academy is looking forward to his years at Oxford.
"Its unique tutor system with individualized seminars and opportunity to travel will be a great intellectual challenge, but also an opportunity to explore solutions beyond the traditional lecture format," he said.
After completing his master's degree, he looks forward to serving as an Air Force pilot and international affairs specialist.
The Marshall Scholarship was founded after World War II by the British government and named for General George C. Marshall. No fewer than 40 scholars are selected and are expected to strengthen the relationship between the British and American peoples for the future.
"I am particularly interested in artificial intelligence as it applies to air and space vehicles," Cadet Campbell said.
"Intelligent robots have the potential to change the way we conduct both air and space missions," he said.
While unmanned aerial vehicles remain somewhat rudimentary for the time being and simply follow waypoints and complete assigned tasks, Cadet Campbell would like to see them "make their own decisions."
The Harry S. Truman Scholarship also requires superior academics, a commitment to public service and a policy proposal that addresses a particular issue in society.
Cadet Stirewalt, a biology major, is interested in graduate programs involving new cancer detection techniques which could result in expedient diagnosis and subsequent treatment of especially aggressive cancers such as breast and colon cancers.
After graduate school she expects to spend at least one tour at an Air Force research laboratory and would like to transition into hospital administration.
"I love health and medicine-related science," Cadet Stirewalt said. "Studying molecular biology or health care policy would allow me to apply that passion to helping others, especially service members and their families."
"Alicia is without a doubt the very best student and advisee I have ever been associated with," said Dr. Donald Veverka, biology instructor and her faculty advisor. "What sets her apart from others is her natural critical thinking skills and a remarkable ability to immediately apply her knowledge in any setting."