UofSC student wins Rhodes Scholarship
Posted on: November 19, 2016; Updated on: January 10, 2017
By Jeff Stensland, stenslan@mailbox.sc.edu
University of South Carolina senior Jory Fleming has been named one of the 32 winners of the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship.
A Capstone Fellow, Fleming is pursuing a double major in geography and marine science with a minor in geophysics, focused on GIS and mapping data as a method of communicating on behalf of the ocean.
Up to 32 new Rhodes Scholarships are awarded each year. The awards allow recipients to study for a period of two years at Oxford University in England. The Rhodes is perhaps the most prestigious and recognizable national fellowship awarded to U.S. students.
“I believe that Cecil Rhodes had a student just like Jory Fleming in mind when he envisioned the Rhodes scholar. He certainly anticipated academic brilliance, but more than that he expected these future leaders to have courage, sympathy, unselfishness, fellowship, kindliness, a moral force of character and more. If you know Jory, you know these traits describe him perfectly. I have absolutely no doubt that Jory will make Carolina proud as he takes on this new adventure,” USC President Harris Pastides said.
Fleming, of Columbia, plans to pursue a graduate degree in the School of Geography and the Environment at Oxford. At Carolina, he has been involved in a wide range of research, working with marine science and geography faculty mentors Jean Ellis, Tammi Richardson, Joe Jones, Jerry Mitchell, Blaine Griffen, and Jennifer Pournelle. Fleming has been involved in the University 101 program, serving first as a peer leader and now a senior peer leader.
An advocate for literacy and science education, he volunteers with PAALS (Palmetto
Animal Assisted Life Services) and Cocky’s Reading Express. Fleming, who has autism,
credits his service dog, Daisy, with helping him engage with others on campus and
beyond.
“I am elated for Jory (and Daisy) for this incredible opportunity. Not only is Jory
brilliant, but more importantly he is the most kind-hearted person you will encounter.
He positively impacts all those around him — Oxford doesn’t yet appreciate their good
fortune,” said Ellis, who has known and mentored Fleming and is the director of graduate
studies in Carolina’s geography department and the School of the Earth, Ocean and
Environment.
Fleming’s numerous awards include the Abraham Anson Memorial Scholarship from ASPRS,
Charles Bussmann Scholarship from MTS, the Incight Disability Scholarship, the S.C.
Wildlife Foundation Scholarship, and the U.S. Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF)
Scholarship. A 2015 NOAA Hollings Scholar, a 2016 Udall honorable mention, a 2016
Goldwater Scholar, and a 2016 Truman Scholar.
I believe that Cecil Rhodes had a student just like Jory Fleming in mind when he envisioned the Rhodes scholar.
USC President Harris Pastides
The University of South Carolina has had nine Rhodes Scholars, most recently Caroline
Parler Potter in 2000. The Office of Fellowships and Scholar Programs assists university
students competing for national fellowships and scholarships such as the Rhodes. For
more information, visit the scholar programs website.
The University Rhodes Scholarship Committee is made up of USC faculty, chaired by
Carol Harrison (history). Committee members include Judith Kalb (languages, literatures
and cultures), Lisa Eichhorn (law), Steven Lynn (South Carolina Honors College), John
McDermott (economics), and Tom Vogt (NanoCenter).
Jory Fleming’s remarkable achievements
- University of South Carolina senior Jory Fleming has been named one of 32 U.S. winners of the Rhodes Scholarship – the oldest and most prestigious international fellowship award. He will study in Oxford University in England for two years.
- Fleming is the 10th University of South Carolina student to be awarded the Rhodes Scholarship, the most from any school in the state.
- Fleming, of Columbia, is the most decorated national fellowship winner in USC’s history, and has been awarded the Rhodes, Truman, Goldwater and Hollings scholarships.
- At Carolina, Fleming has been involved in a wide range of research, working with marine science and geography faculty mentors. He volunteers with PAALS (Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services) and Cocky's Reading Express, the university’s mascot-led literacy program.
- Other well-known Rhodes Scholars include former President Bill Clinton, former Supreme Court Justice David Souter, astronomer Edwin Hubble, former Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker and political commentators George Stephanopoulos and Rachel Maddow.
- The USC Office of Fellowships and Scholar Programs assists university students competing for national fellowships and scholarships such as the Rhodes. Since the office was established in 1994, Carolina students have earned 800 national awards totaling more than $24 million.
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