Record Number of Women Win Rhodes Scholarships for 3rd Year

Ben Jones didn’t have much time Sunday to celebrate his Rhodes scholarship. After all, scholars have to hit the books.

“Unfortunately, I have a big exam tomorrow. You can’t get away from the exams,” said the 22-year-old Princeton University student, one of 32 Americans who received the prestigious academic award.

The mechanical engineering student from Falmouth, Mass., said it was a long road to the prize, which offers winners a chance to study next fall at Oxford University in Britain.

“It’s a tough competition. You . . . feel surprised when you get to be the lucky name at the end of it all,” said Jones, who also climbs rocks, plays piano and guitar and tutors prison inmates.

This year, 18 women--a record number for the third straight year--and 14 men were named Rhodes scholars.

The award was created in 1902 and first opened to women in 1976. The program’s criteria include academic achievement, integrity, leadership and athletic prowess.

Harvard led the field with six scholars. Princeton followed with three students. Twenty-three schools were represented.

The 32 Americans were chosen from 1,253 applicants. About 60 scholars were chosen from 17 other countries, officials said.

The program, administered through Pomona College in Claremont, was established by the estate of Cecil Rhodes, a British philanthropist and South African colonist.