Axel Hawkins, a Henry County native and history major at Georgia College & State University, recently earned distinction as a Truman Scholar, which provides her with up to $30,000 in scholarship funds for graduate school in pursuit of a career in public service.
“In my application and interview for the scholarship, I often talked about how growing up in Henry County really influenced my outlook on life and how the situation we were in with the tobacco industry and the opioid epidemic is what inspired me into public service,” said Hawkins, whose father is former Henry County Magistrate Nick Hawkins. “When I found out I won, I instantly thought of all my family and friends who still live in Henry County.”
Established in 1975, the Truman scholarship serves as a living memorial to Harry S. Truman. The foundation awards scholarships to exceptional college juniors who demonstrate outstanding leadership potential, a commitment to public service and academic excellence.
“We are thrilled that Axel has been named a Truman Scholar,” said GCSU President Cathy Cox. “Her selection makes two consecutive years that Georgia College students have been named Truman Scholars — a truly amazing feat for our university.”
This year, 60 new Truman Scholars were selected from 709 candidates.
“Georgia College really invested in me, and I’m very thankful for everybody,” Hawkins said. “I’m just overwhelmed by the people in my life who have supported me the whole way, and I’m very honored that I was selected.”
Ready to engage her first year at Georgia College, Hawkins immediately joined the Student Government Association and began working to improve life for her fellow students. Elected as the upcoming SGA President, Hawkins will continue enacting changes to their benefit.
Off campus, Hawkins believes in solving labor issues and is passionate about worker’s rights. She travels back and forth from the capitol to lobby for this cause.
In addition to the scholarship funds, Truman Scholars also participate in leadership development activities, including the Truman Scholars Leadership Week in Liberty, Missouri. They also have special opportunities for internships and employment with the federal government, including the Truman Summer institute, which assigns internships in Washington D.C. after a scholar’s senior year.
“This is very emotional for me,” Hawkins said. “I’m a first-generation college student, and my father couldn’t afford to pay the difference of his undergraduate scholarship, so this is a very full-circle moment for my entire family.”