Travis Weller, a Kansas University junior from Garden City, is a finalist in the national 2003 Truman Scholarship competitions.

The competitions provide up to $30,000 for 75 to 80 scholarships for undergraduate and graduate study. They are given to those seeking a career in public service who propose a solution to a public policy issue as part of their application.

Weller, who is majoring in sociology and plans to seek a law degree, eventually wants to teach and do research in sexual violence law.

He hopes to develop a center for the study of sexual violence that would focus on reduction and prevention and on improving gender relations.

At KU, Weller is the men’s outreach coordinator, co-founder of the KU Men Can Stop Rape group and a member of the Student Senate.

The scholarships will be awarded in March by the Truman Foundation in Washington, D.C. There are 212 finalists in the competition for 75 to 80 scholarships.

Since 1981, 15 KU students have become Truman scholars. The first was David Adkins, who is now a member of the Kansas Senate from Leawood.

For any updates and more information on this story, see Friday’s Journal-World.