--- title: UMD Junior Dedicated to Public Service Wins Truman Scholarship date: 2025-04-18T15:22:00-04:00 author: University of Maryland canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/umd-junior-dedicated-to-public-service-wins-truman-scholarship" section: Articles --- # UMD Junior Dedicated to Public Service Wins Truman Scholarship *April 18, 2025* — by [Laura Ours](/author/laura-ours) > Government and Politics, Computer Science Student is 11th Terp Honored for Exceptional Leadership Potential *Mirani Dhuvak Truman Scholar 040152025 SC 0906 1920x1080 — UMD President Darryll J. Pines (right) surprises junior Dhruvak Mirani with the news that he had been awarded a prestigious Truman Scholarship during a government and politics class. Among those present was a class visitor that day, retired Lt. Gen. James R. Clapper ’63 (center), a former U.S. director of national intelligence.* A University of Maryland junior who has built an impressive record of service at the city, county and state levels was announced Friday as the recipient of a Truman Scholarship, the nation’s most selective award for underclassmen with exceptional leadership potential, a commitment to a career in government or in the nonprofit sector, and demonstrated academic excellence. Dhruvak Mirani, a dual-degree student in computer science and government and politics with a concentration in international relations, is the [11th UMD student](https://bsos.umd.edu/undergraduate/umd-truman-scholars) to earn the honor that memorializes President Harry S. Truman. It provides up to $30,000 in funding for graduate studies, leadership training, career counseling, and special internship and fellowship opportunities within the federal government. This year, 54 Truman Scholars were selected from 743 candidates nominated by 288 colleges and universities nationwide. “I have long hoped to spend my life in service to others. As a Truman Scholar, I’m grateful to be part of a civic-minded community that will help me become a more effective public servant,” said Mirani, who also was elected as the 2025-26 president of UMD’s Student Government Association on Friday. *Dhruvak Mirani smiles at his desk as other students clap* **Topics:** [Campus & Community](https://today.umd.edu/tags/campus-community) **Tags:** [Computer Science](https://today.umd.edu/topic/computer-science), [Government and Politics](https://today.umd.edu/topic/government-and-politics), [Student Experience](https://today.umd.edu/topic/student-experience) **Units:** [College of Behavioral and Social Sciences](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-behavioral-and-social-sciences), [College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-computer-mathematical-and-natural-sciences)