For the second time in the past 10 years, a University of Utah student has been selected as a recipient of a nationally acclaimed Harry S. Truman Scholarship.

Ingrid Price was named on Wednesday as one of 65 students selected as Truman Scholars from 283 colleges and universities nationwide. Price, 21, is a junior at the U. working on an honors degree in political science and international studies and will graduate in May 2009.

"I am honored to be selected for a scholarship that so explicitly recognizes the importance of public service," Price said, adding that the award is a tribute to her two brothers serving in the military, "both of whom have set examples of public service."

Price, who speaks fluent Norwegian, has studied Arabic, French and Latin as well. She completed a Hinckley Internship with the U.S. State Department at NATO in Belgium last fall, where her work focused on the missile defense program in the Czech Republic and Poland. She plans to pursue a joint J.D./master's degree focusing on international human rights and security studies.

She worked on the campaign to elect Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker and served as a student representative during the 2007 legislative session in Utah.

Each university can nominate up to three students, and selections are made following an intense interview and application process. Price was selected from among more than 3,000 applicants and nearly 600 nominees.

"The Truman Scholarship is exceptionally competitive and selective and honors the finest students in our nation for their outstanding academic achievement, community leadership and commitment to public service," said U. President Michael K. Young. "Ingrid's achievements make her a very worthy recipient of this prestigious award, as well as a great example of the caliber of students attending the University of Utah."

Price is the second straight Truman Scholar to be selected from the U. and only one of four selected from a Utah university in the past 10 years.

Truman Scholars receive $30,000 for graduate study, as well as priority admission and supplemental financial aid at some premier graduate institutions, leadership training, career and graduate school counseling, and fellowship opportunities within the federal government.

Recipients must be U.S. citizens, have outstanding leadership potential and communication skills, be in the top quarter of their class and be committed to careers in government or the nonprofit sector. For a complete list of 2008 recipients, see www.truman.gov.

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E-mail: wleonard@desnews.com