By Casey Rogers
A BYU student received a $38,000 scholarship from a $210 million trust fund set up by Bill Gates and Cambridge University.
Ryan Keller, 23, a recent graduate from BYU''s philosophy program and winner of the Gates Scholarship, plans to participate in Cambridge''s accelerated one-year masters program that runs from August 2004 to August 2005, studying international relations.
The Gates Scholarship, which is similar to the Rhodes and Marshall scholarships, allows for exceptional students who live outside the United Kingdom to attend prestigious British universities.
' looks for the best students in the world,' said Scott Miller, faculty coach for students applying to scholarships.
According to the Gates Scholarship Web page, the trust allows 230 students to go to Cambridge each year. Of the 230, the trust allows a maximum of 100 American students. This year, 31 students from across the United States will participate in the program.
Keller first heard about the scholarship through the BYU Scholarship Office. The rigorous application process took Keller close to 200 hours to complete.
After application submission, a committee selects 600 applicants and then narrows them down to 80 for a final interview in Annapolis, Maryland.
Miller, who coached Keller to the final interview, said Keller''s accomplishment is a great accommodation to the university.
Keller will study under Professor Glen Rangwala, an expert on weapons of mass destruction and Middle Eastern policy.
In the one-year masters program at Cambridge, one or two students pair with a professor for a mentor/prot?g?e relationship as opposed to the traditional classroom setting found in American universities.
Keller said he feels by studying international relations and understanding the world we can put an end to international conflicts. Keller said he has strong opinions about being involved and encourages other students to do the same.
'Take the commandment to be ''anxiously engaged in a good cause'' seriously,' Keller said. 'If you see something you do or do not agree with, in the news or in the world, get involved. I think we can do even more.'
Professor Darren Hawkins, Keller''s professor and mentor, praised Keller and his abilities.
'He has an enthusiasm for learning and boundless energy,' Hawkins said. 'It makes me tired to watch him. I''m glad he''s leaving. He makes me look bad.'