University of Utah student Brandon Peart has been named a Truman scholar, becoming the fifth U. student in as many years to win the coveted prize supporting students' graduate endeavors in public service. Peart, who worked on Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon's gubernatorial campaign, won the scholarship with the help of his proposal to overcome the barriers illiteracy poses to effective voter participation in developing nations.

Peart credited the U.'s Hinckley Institute of Politics for helping him through the arduous selection process, which included interviews and essays.

"Untold lives have been inspired by the Hinckley Institute's efforts to elevate the caliber of public service and political discourse, using their valuable influence in Utah as well as on national and global stages," Peart said in a news release. "Receiving this scholarship and the distinction it entails evokes in me an enormous sense of responsibility to continue on into public service. I hope to honor this trust in my efforts to realize a vision of expanding democracy and voter efficacy in developing states."

Peart is joined by Brigham Young University's Jason Despain, of Wyoming, among the 60 undergraduates chosen for the $30,000 prize. Fellow U. student Elisabeth Jessop was among the 197 finalists, chosen from among thousands of applicants. This is the third year in a row all of the U.'s nominees were named finalists.

Peart, who is majoring in political science and economics with a minor in campaign management, will graduate next year and plans to go to law school. He plans to pursue a career in the foreign service to promote electoral integrity.

"Brandon is a fantastic representative of the Hinckley Institute and the University of Utah," said institute director Kirk Jowers, himself a 1990 Truman scholar. "He already has a strong history of public service and is truly committed to serving others. Brandon has an amazing work ethic, is intellectually curious, and demonstrates complete integrity."

The Truman Scholarship Foundation was established by Congress in 1975 to honor the 33rd president, Harry S Truman. The foundation awards scholarships that come with a money and priority admission to the nation's most prestigious graduate programs and fellowship opportunities with the federal government.

Winners are selected by panels made up of a university president, a federal judge, a distinguished public servant, and a past Truman scholar. Aiming to pick a scholar from all 50 states, the panels pick winners based on academic achievement, public service, policy proposals and leadership potential. They are looking for candidates who hope to "make a difference" through careers in government or the nonprofit sector.

The U.'s other recent Truman scholars are Cody Rogers, who graduates this year and is currently working for NATO in Brussels; former student president Patrick Reimherr, who graduated in 2010; 2009 graduate Ingrid Price, now earned a master's degree at Cambridge University and is now studying laws at Stanford University; and 2008 graduate Bryson Morgan, who went on to law school at Harvard University.

bmaffly@sltrib.com