Rhodes College junior Johnathan Burch, a political science and health equity double major, is among 55 outstanding college students from across the country who have been named 2026 Truman Scholars. The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation made the announcement April 24.
The Truman Scholarship provides generous financial support for graduate study in preparation for careers in government, public service, the nonprofit sector, or education. Students are nominated by their institution based on their leadership, public service, and academic achievement.
Burch, who is from Heath Springs, S.C., and graduated from David W. Butler High School in Matthews, N.C., and came to Rhodes as a Posse Foundation Scholar dedicated to developing his leadership skills. He has been a competitor on one of Rhodes’ national mock trial teams and was recently elected to serve as a Student Trustee for the 2026-2027 academic year, following his current term as Rhodes Student Government President.
“In moments like this, I think about what my grandmother always told me before she passed: ‘Lead society, whether it be through education, ministry, medicine, or government,’” Burch said. “As someone who worked to help integrate both the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District and the Presbyterian Church of Charlotte, she understood the weight behind those words. She instilled in me a responsibility to leave society better than I found it.”
Burch has worked as a Rhodes Diplomat, Peer Assistant, and an Office of Admission student associate. Outside of campus, Burch worked as a clinical quality improvement intern at Church Health, which allowed him to connect with the Memphis community and serve the uninsured. As a 2025 Douglass-O’Connell Global Intern, he gained experience working for the Irish Innocence Project in Dublin, Ireland, conducting legal and comparative constitutional research.
Jason Haberman, Ph.D, co-director of postgraduate scholarships at Rhodes, said Burch is a quiet leader who does not mistake volume for authority. Burch’s leadership is effective, Haberman added, because he is thoughtful in his approach and has spent years building trust among his peers.
“Johnathan Burch is focused on one problem with uncommon clarity: improving access to bereavement and mental health support for adolescents and young adults,” Haberman stated.
“In every way, Johnathan embodies the spirit of the Truman Scholarship — dedication to public service and leadership cultivation.”
The 2026 Truman Scholars will receive their awards in a ceremony at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum in May.
