WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Earlier this month, Leony Boudreau has been named a Rhodes Scholar finalist. Boudreau is the second student-athlete in Purdue women's basketball history to be named a finalist, joining Laura Mioton in 2008.
One of the most prestigious academic opportunities in the world, only 11 Canadian Scholars and 100 finalists worldwide will be selected and receive a two or three-year scholarship for postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford in England.
"I'm incredibly excited to represent Purdue and to be honored as a finalist," Boudreau said. "This has been a humbling experience. I have met some incredible individuals. Pursuing a graduate degree in engineering science would be another step in my lifelong pursuit to ensuring everyone has access to an active lifestyle and the opportunity to reach their full potential."
A two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, Boudreau is on track to graduate with a degree in biomedical engineering. The Canadian international has dedicated the vast majority of her time on campus to community service and volunteering. After injuries put a halt to her basketball career, Boudreau turned her focus to helping people even more.
Last fall, Boudreau was a catalyst in creating the Wheel Rise Event, an afternoon dedicated to raising money for Paralympic athletes. Boudreau and Shelby Gruss, a PhD candidate at Purdue and the former captain of the United States Wheel Chair Basketball Team, created the event to promote and raise awareness for Paralympic sports. The event featured an intrasquad scrimmage of the Illinois wheelchair basketball team, hands-on learning opportunities and lectures from experts.
In addition to volunteering for the Community Cancer Network Festival of Tree, the Carry the Torch Walk, the Lafayette Hunger Hike and other events around the community, Boudreau has donated her hair to Leucan to benefit pediatric cancer patients.
Boudreau was also instrumental in establishing RIISE at Purdue – Reinventing the Interface of Inclusivity, Sports and Engineering. The new student organization seeks to connect people of all backgrounds to establish a for all athletes to have equal opportunity to play and perform at their full potential.
"Leo continues to impress us," head coach Sharon Versyp said. "She is one of the most passionate and dedicated individuals I have ever met. Her attentiveness and drive to ensure that everyone has access and the opportunity to be active is inspiring. She is incredibly selfless and continutes to impact our program in a positive way."
Boudreau awaits the final interview and selection process to learn if she will continue her education overseas. In the meantime, she will continue her new role as the Director of Diversity and Inclusion for the Purdue Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
The Scholars are elected for two years of study, with the possibility of renewal for a third year. All educational costs, such as matriculation, tuition, laboratory and certain other fees are paid on the Scholar's behalf by the Rhodes Trustees. Each Scholar receives in addition a maintenance allowance adequate to meet necessary expenses for term-time and vacations. The Rhodes Trustees cover the necessary costs of travel to and from Oxford, and upon application, may approve additional grants for research purposes or study-related travel.
The Rhodes Scholarship was named after Cecil Rhodes, whose long-range goal of promoting peace and understanding throughout the world continues today. Rhodes believed that bringing a diverse group of students from all over the world to study and train together at Oxford would increase understanding and tolerance. Each year, 11 Canadian citizens make up the 100 worldwide scholars that enter Oxford on a Rhodes Scholarship.
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