Seniors Sam Norwitz and Ephraim Oyetunji at Washington University in St. Louis were finalists for the Rhodes Scholarship, one of the world’s most prestigious academic honors, to study at the University of Oxford in England.
Norwitz and Oyetunji, both majoring in the neuroscience track of biology in Arts & Sciences, are striving to improve the health and well-being of populations often overlooked by modern medicine. Norwitz, founder of the university’s Special Olympics chapter, is committed to serving children with special needs. Meanwhile, Oyetunji, president of the Minority Association of Premedical Students, wants to develop culturally competent psychiatric interventions.
“I am incredibly proud of Ephraim and Sam and all that they have already achieved through their extraordinary outreach, advocacy and research,” Chancellor Andrew D. Martin said. “They are exceptional change makers who are making a difference in the world.”