UA senior Jason Arterburn named Truman Scholar

Jason Arterburn of Madison has been selected as the only Truman Scholar in Alabama by the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Jason Arterburn, a University of Alabama senior, has been selected as a Truman Scholar, the only recipient in Alabama.

Established in 1975, the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation supports graduate education for stellar students committed to public service. Each Truman Scholar receives up to $30,000 for graduate study.

Since June 2013, Arterburn has been studying in China at Suzhou University and Shanghai University and at Harbin Institute of Technology in Manchuria. His study has focused on intensive Chinese language courses.

Currently, he is enrolled in a Mandarin-taught course examining China’s relationship with Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa.

He received scholarships from the U.S. Department of State, National Security Education Program, Drummond Company and University Fellows. He holds membership in Mortar Board Honor Society.

At UA, Arterburn worked with community programs in Perry County, Francis Marion high and Albert Turner Sr. elementary schools and at George Washington Carver High School with ‘Birmingham to Beijing’ classes for Chinese.

“My father’s military retirement brought us to Madison (in) middle school,” Jason said. “I do consider Madison my hometown, although it’s only after years of reflection.”

At Bob Jones High School, “teacher expectations and curricular breadth (allowed) easy transition to college study,” Arterburn said. “Advanced-placement coursework provided flexibility to explore several majors.” His extracurricular opportunities instilled leadership traits.

His parents are David and Katy Arterburn. He is director of the rotorcraft systems engineering and simulation center at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. She is office manager at Computer Science Corporation.

Jason’s brother Casey will graduate from Savannah College of Art and Design in 2015.

In May 2015, Jason will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in economics and self-directed interdisciplinary studies, focused on East Asia and national security.

He will work two years before entering graduate school. The Truman foundation’s Summer Institute in Washington D.C. will train him further in national policymaking for related federal jobs.

Jason will receive his award at the Truman Library in Independence, Mo. during Truman Leadership Week on May 20-25.

For more information, visit truman.gov.