East Lansing, Mich. – Anna Esenther, a 2019 MSU graduate and Honors College graduate with degrees in economics, psychology, and history in the College of Social Science, a degree in education in the College of Education, and a degree in statistics in the College of Natural Science, has been named a Rhodes Scholar.
Esenther is the 20th Rhodes Scholar from Michigan State University.
The Rhodes Trust, the oldest of the major international competitive award foundations, provides 100 of the most outstanding undergraduates across the world an opportunity to study at the University of Oxford in England. Rhodes Scholarships are offered in 22 countries with the United States receiving 32 of the 100 scholarships.
“I am thrilled to join the 2020 class of Rhodes Scholars and beyond grateful for the opportunity to study economics at Oxford. My greatest hope is that my selection amplifies the voices of both teachers and underrepresented populations in economics.”
Esenther is from Ashland, Massachusetts. She is currently a first grade teacher at Inca Elementary in Buckeye, Arizona.
“As the 20th Rhodes Scholar from Michigan State University, Anna has earned every Spartan’s pride for being selected for arguably the most prestigious international scholarship award,” said President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D. “Anna exemplifies the highest values of the Spartan community and she will be a wonderful representative at the University of Oxford in England.”
Esenther plans to study economics at Oxford University.
“Anna has demonstrated a sustained commitment to leadership, service and research. I join the mentors, teachers, family, friends and the entire MSU community in congratulating Anna for being named a Rhodes Scholar,” said Cynthia Jackson-Elmoore, dean of the Honors College.
“Anna is a fitting recipient of the Rhodes Scholarship. She is smart, motivated, and colossally energetic. A first-rate researcher as well as a beautiful writer, Anna has a passionate interest in both history and economics that has already led her to unique insights in both fields. On top of all this, she is an impressively dedicated community volunteer,” said Helen Zoe Veit, associate professor in the Department of History.