‘A dream come true.’ Biochem student makes history as Clemson’s first Rhodes Scholar
Clemson University has its first Rhodes Scholar.
Louise Franke, a senior from Spartanburg County majoring in biochemistry with minors in political science and philosophy, is one of 32 American Rhodes Scholars named this year.
“The Rhodes community is an intellectual community where people care about ideas, about action and about the world,” Franke said in a university news release. “It’s a group of people that fight the world’s fight, and the fact that I’m now part of that blows my mind. It’s a dream come true.”
Franke will study at Oxford University in October 2022, where she plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, politics and economics during the next two years. Franke also wants to earn a medical degree and doctorate in bioethics and eventually become a bioethicist working in public policy and academic realms.
She said earning a second bachelor’s degree at a school outside of the United States will also allow her to have a global perspective in her future studies and eventual career.
“There’s going to be so much intellectual growth that happens there,” Franke said in an interview.
She also was awarded fellowships in public policy and philosophy from Clemson and from the conservative think tank Hudson Institute, and she has combined research in biochemistry labs with work in classical philosophy and politics, according to the Rhodes Trust, which awards the annual scholarships.
Since 2006, Clemson has had six Rhodes finalists, including Greenville’s Veronica Clevenstine, who was also a finalist this year. Franke is the first Clemson student to be named a Rhodes Scholar.
“The Rhodes Scholarship will provide her with an amazing opportunity, and I am grateful to our faculty and staff who have taught and supported her along the way,” said Clemson’s President Jim Clements. “I cannot wait to see what the future holds for her.”
This story was originally published November 22, 2021 at 11:19 AM.
