ATHENS, Ohio -- Three Ohio University students, who have been selected as Rhodes Scholarship candidates, were invited for interviews at the state level on Dec. 3 and Dec. 4.

"This is absolutely stunning news for us. These students have worked so hard and given so much to this process, and I am delighted at their success," said Ann Brown, direct of the University's Office of Nationally Competitive Awards. "Much of the credit for this remarkable achievement also belongs to our phenomenal faculty who have helped and supported these students with every facet of their applications."

The three students are as follows:

• Mathew Hill is a senior with a triple major in Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology (both Arts and Sciences) and Legal Communication. He plans to pursue a Ph.D. in synthetic organic chemistry in the United Kingdom, and eventually wants to head up his own research lab working to create new pharmaceuticals. Hill received the Goldwater Scholarship last year, as well as an NSF-REU Fellowship and the Jeanette-Grasselli Research Grant. He will interview at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn.
  
  
• Robert McDonie is a College of Arts and Sciences student majoring in the Honors Tutorial English program and plans to pursue a graduate degree in English literature with a focus on Queer Studies. McDonie has been a resident assistant for three years and very active in the GLBT community, including conducting extensive Safe Zone workshops. He wants to pursue his Ph.D. and teach at the college level, but he also is committed to being actively engaged in community building and advocacy. He will interview at Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio.
  
  
• Katherine Smith is a senior Honors Tutorial College student majoring in English with a minor in economics. She intends to go to law school and pursue a career in public interest law, specializing in women's issues, particularly welfare reform. Selected as a Truman Scholar last year, Smith is currently president of Student Senate. She hopes to study social policy in the United Kingdom. She will interview at Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio.

Rhodes Scholars are elected for two years of study at the University of Oxford in England, with the possibility of renewal for a third year. All educational costs, such as matriculation, tuition, laboratory and certain other fees, are paid on the scholar's behalf by the Rhodes Trustees. Each scholar receives a maintenance allowance adequate to meet necessary expenses for term-time and vacations. The Rhodes Trustees cover the necessary costs of travel to and from Oxford, and upon application, may approve additional grants for research purposes or study-related travel.

The Office of Nationally Competitive Awards was created to assist Ohio University's strongest and most talented students compete nationally for awards such as the Rhodes, the Truman, the Goldwater and the British Marshall.