Tomas E. Carbonell, a senior at North Carolina State University majoring in both chemical engineering and multidisciplinary studies, has been awarded a 2002 Truman Scholarship. Carbonell is the only Truman Scholar recipient from the state of North Carolina and one of just 64 recipients nationwide. Truman Scholarships are among the most prestigious scholarships awarded to college undergraduates in the United States. They are valued at up to $30,000 - $3,000 for the student's senior year and $27,000 for two or three years of graduate study.

Tomas E. Carbonell

Recipients are selected based on leadership abilities, academic performance and potential, community service and demonstrated commitment to public service. They must be in the top quarter of their class and plan to pursue careers in government, education or the not-for-profit sector. Nearly 600 of the nation's top eligible students were nominated for Truman Scholarships this year.

Carbonell graduated from William G. Enloe High School in Raleigh in 1998. He is the son of Dr. Ruben G. and Augustina Carbonell of 6105 Godfrey Drive, Raleigh. Ruben Carbonell is director of the Kenan Institute at NC State.

After graduating in December, Carbonell plans to pursue both a Juris Doctor of Law degree and a Ph.D. in economics, concentrating in international environmental law and policy. He is particularly interested in the environmental impact of international trade and investment.

At NC State, Carbonell has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA while pursuing dual degrees. His multidisciplinary studies major centers on international political economy and the environment. A Park Scholar, Carbonell is also earning a minor in both economics and Spanish. At the same time, he has been involved in many student activities. Carbonell was co-founder and served as editor-in-chief of "Americana," an online student publication. He served as special assistant to the student body president and co-chair of the Issues and Ideas Committee of the Union Activities Board.

Carbonell has completed internships with the Center for International Environmental Law in Washington, D.C., the Sandia National Laboratories in Livermore, Calif., and the U.S. House of Representatives. He plans to work in the international program of Environmental Defense in Washington, D.C. this summer. Last November, Carbonell attended the latest round of United Nations climate change negotiations in Marrakech, Morocco.

Among his many community service activities, Carbonell is currently serving as a volunteer tutor for Hispanic children at the Central YMCA and St. Raphael's Elementary School in Raleigh. He previously worked on Habitat for Humanity projects in the Dominican Republic and Guatemala. He is also an Eagle Scout, and has run half-marathons in Raleigh, Asheville and San Francisco.

Carbonell will attend the Truman Scholars Leadership Week, May 19-25, at William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo., and receive his award at a ceremony on May 26 in Independence, Mo. As a Truman Scholar, he is eligible to take part in the scholarship program's 10-week Washington Summer Institute.

Truman Scholarships are administered by the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, which was created by Congress in 1975 in honor of the 33rd president. The foundation has awarded 2,163 scholarships since 1977. Past winners from NC State have been Brandon Buskey in 2001, Jenny C.J. Chang in 1999, Jeff Cherry in 1988, Charles Wells and John Voris Williams in 1985, Frank Gordon in 1982, and Angeline Maletto in 1977.

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