N.C. shines in Rhodes Scholarships

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Oxford bound

Folks who disparage today's young people haven't read a lot of Rhodes Scholarship citations. It's mind-boggling to see how accomplished the winners of these coveted postgraduate scholarships to study at Oxford University are. This year North Carolina can claim three, one whose home is here but who studies at MIT and two students at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Ugwechi Amadi is the MIT student, from Camden, near Elizabeth City. The UNC students are Elizabeth Blair "Libby" Longino and Henry Lawlor Spelman.

It's worth noting, because debate arises from time to time over how many out-of-state students UNC should admit, that Longino is from Texas and Spelman from Pennsylvania. It's a big plus for the university that they came here (on Morehead-Cain scholarships). It's also notable that this year marks the sixth time that Chapel Hill has had two Rhodes winners in the same year, and that in the past five years only Harvard, Yale, Stanford and Princeton have turned out more winners.

Opening scheduled for learning center

A new after-school program at the Oxford Manor public housing community in northern Durham is scheduled to open Monday, after being postponed due to snow.

The community learning center is an effort by the public schools, N.C. Central University and the Durham YMCAs to provide tutoring, computer access and other academic support within several public housing complexes across the city. The center at Oxford Manor is the first such location and was scheduled to open earlier this month.

At a kickoff event Tuesday night, families signed up their children for 58 of the 60 available slots, said Eunice Sanders, director of student services for Durham Public Schools.

Milestones

Duke seniors win Marshall Awards

Two Duke University seniors involved in laboratory research have been awarded Marshall Scholarships to continue their studies after graduation.

Sally Liu of San Diego is a pre-med student and laboratory researcher who pole vaults on the Duke track team. She intends to study public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the London School of Economics for the next two years.

Raleigh senior gets Park Scholarship

Helen Johnson, a senior at St. Mary's School, is one of 51 student winners of N.C. State University's Park Scholarship.

At St. Mary's, Johnson is a cellist in the school's honors quartet and founder and president of the math club. She also dances with the Concert Dancers of Raleigh and is an intern in the Cavanagh Lab at NCSU.

Johnson plans to major in biochemistry. She is the daughter of Sally Acosta-Johnson and Robert A. Johnson of Tampa, Fla.

UNC students award first Eve Carson scholarship

Elinor Benami, a junior from Tennessee, has been named the first Eve Marie Carson Scholar at UNC Chapel Hill.

The scholarship will fund a summer experience after her junior year and financial aid for her senior year. The daughter of Mary and Moti Benami of Knoxville, Tenn., Benami graduated from Bearden High School in Knoxville in 2006.

Benami is double-majoring in international studies and economics in the College of Arts and Sciences. She plans a career in environmental consulting.