Seniors Camille Borders and Jasmine Brown named Rhodes Scholars

Winners are fellow Ervin Scholars, sorority sisters and good friends

Washington University in St. Louis seniors Camille Borders and Jasmine Brown have been selected as Rhodes Scholars. One of the most world’s most prestigious academic honors, the scholarship provides an opportunity to earn an advanced degree at Oxford University. Borders and Brown were among 32 students selected from across the nation on Nov. 18.

Borders and Brown are Ervin Scholars, members of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and good friends.

“It’s been amazing to go through this process with someone who has been such a good friend and such an inspiration,” Brown said. “I can’t believe we are going to do this together. Sharing this experience is an amazing blessing.”

Jasmine Brown (left) is a biology major and Camille Borders is majoring in history.

“I have known Jasmine since freshman year,” Borders said. “As Ervin Scholars, we have grown together. Also, as members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., we have developed a lifeline sisterhood sustained by service and scholarship. I am so ecstatic to win this amazing honor with a brilliantly intelligent and motivated young woman, who I can call a friend and a sister.”

Brown and Borders represent the 28th and 29th Rhodes Scholars selected from Washington University over the years. The last time two students associated with the university were selected was in 2006 when Leana Wen, a student at the Washington University School of Medicine, and Aaron Mertz, 22, a 2006 alumnus, were named scholars.

Brown, 21, is majoring in biology and intends to earn a PhD in neuroscience at Oxford University while continuing her efforts to fight implicit bias against minority students in academia and the lab. She hails from Hillsborough, N.J.

Borders, 21, is majoring in history and plans to pursue a master of philosophy degree in social and economic history, studying the global slave trade and the factors that led to its eventual demise. She was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio

“We are extraordinarily proud to have not just one, but two Washington University students honored as Rhodes Scholars,” Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton said. “I am ecstatic for Camille and Jasmine. This is one of the highest honors our students can receive and I could not be more pleased that the Rhodes Scholar selection committee has recognized their many gifts and accomplishments with this prestigious award. I have no doubt they both will continue to shine as they share their talents with the world as Rhodes Scholars.”

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