Ashley Orr will study economics at England's Oxford University

Staff/wire reports

WASHINGTON

Ashley E. Orr of Columbiana, a senior at Youngstown State University, is among 32 American men and women chosen as Rhodes scholars to pursue postgraduate studies at Oxford University in England.

Orr, the first Rhodes scholarship recipient from YSU, is president of the YSU student government association, co-founded a poverty awareness program in Youngstown, has studied at the London School of Economics, and has worked as a research analyst intern at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.

The Rhodes Trust described Orr as “extraordinarily active” in volunteer service. She plans to study economics.

Orr, 21, is the daughter of Cara Burt-Orr and granddaughter of Clara Burt, both of Columbiana. A 2012 graduate of Columbiana High School, she is a member of Jerusalem Lutheran Church in Columbiana.

She was notified that she was selected as a Rhodes scholar about 3 p.m. Saturday at a Rhodes event in Chicago.

“I was extremely overwhelmed and excited. The first people I called were my family and my YSU advisers,” Orr said.

“I feel so honored to represent YSU, and I am very, very grateful to my family and my mentors and peers at YSU and the other people who supported me along the way,” she said.

Orr said it is very exciting to be the first Rhodes scholar from YSU.

“When I noticed that YSU had no Rhodes scholars, I became very determined for myself and the university. I am so proud to represent Youngstown and YSU,” she said.

“Ashley’s commitment to excellence in the classroom and service to YSU and the Youngstown community propelled her to the top of a highly competitive group of applicants,” said Amy L. Cossentino, head of the YSU honors program,

“The receipt of this highest award is a testament to the premier education available at YSU,” Cossentino said.

In the past in Ohio, only the Ohio State University and Miami University have produced Rhodes scholars.

Rhodes scholarships provide students with two years of study, with an option for a third, at Oxford.

Orr said she would begin pursuing a master’s in philosophy in mid-September or early October and later transition into a doctor of philosophy program. They are equivalent to a master’s degree and doctorate in the U.S., respectively.

United States Rhodes scholar recipients announced this weekend include two others from Ohio. They are:

Ohio State University graduate Ilhan A. Dahir, who is on a Fulbright Fellowship teaching English in Turkey. She did her senior thesis on the role of Western foreign fighters in the Islamic State group and their threat to global peace. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security sent her to represent the United States at an international discussion in Brussels on countering violent extremism.

Oberlin College senior Machmud A. Makhmudov of Lilburn, Ga., is a politics major who came to Atlanta from his central Asian homeland of Uzbekistan 10 years ago. He is vice president of his class and a pitcher on Oberlin’s baseball team who plans to study public policy in Oxford, the Trust said.

The American students will join an international group of scholars chosen from around the world. Nearly 90 scholars are selected worldwide each year.