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Rhodes
Steve Stein l Contributing Writer
5
arah Kovan has added another
impressive accomplishment to
her already outstanding resume.
The Michigan State University senior
women's soccer player from Okemos has
been named a 2016 Rhodes Scholar. She's
the 17th Rhodes Scholar from MSU since
the scholarships were first awarded in
1904 by the Rhodes Trust.
Kovan's scholarship — one of 32
awarded to American college students
in the annual competition and the only
one that went to a student from the state
of Michigan — will allow her to pursue
a master's of philosophy degree in devel-
opment studies at Oxford University in
England.
About 2,000 American students sought
endorsement from their colleges in apply-
ing for the scholarship. Some 869 received
the endorsement from 316 schools.
Each scholarship for postgraduate study
is worth about $50,000 per year and cov-
ers all expenses for one to three years.
"Being named a Rhodes Scholar is an
incredibly amazing and humbling experi-
ence. I couldn't have gained this recogni-
tion without the unending support from
the MSU community," Kovan said.
She did quite a bit herself on and off the
soccer field to earn the scholarship.
Kovan was a starting midfielder and
captain of the MSU women's soccer team
this season. She earned Academic All-Big
Ten honors in 2012, 2013 and 2014 and
won the Big Ten Distinguished Scholar
Award and MSU Scholar-Athlete Award
in 2015.
A member of MSU's Honors College,
she's majoring in comparative cultures
and politics, and human biology.
It takes more than success in academics
and sports to be a Rhodes Scholar, and
Kovan also fulfilled those requirements.
Her academic research has included
evaluating options for economic devel-
opment in Sri Lanka that benefit low-
income women. In her community,
she's provided bedside care for hospice
patients, participated in concussion test-
ing for young athletes and served as a
camp counselor for children with special
needs.
During her time studying abroad at the
Hebrew University of Jerusalem, she spent
some of her free time serving in Israel's
national ambulance corps.
"Sarah has repeatedly demonstrated
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No.17 Sarah Kovan happens to
be MSU's 17th Rhodes Scholar.
her excellence as a scholar, athlete and
budding professional committed to mak-
ing an impact on science, medical care
and global health issues," Honors College
Dean Cynthia Jackson-Elmore said.
MSU President Lou Anna Simon and
women's soccer coach Tom Saxton joined
in the praise for Kovan.
Simon called Kovan a leader in the
classroom and on the soccer field and said
she'll be "an exemplary Spartan ambassa-
dor who will help change the world"
Saxton said Kovan's academic achieve-
ments, worldwide experience as a public
servant and leadership as a student-
athlete combine to make her a special
person.
Kovan is the daughter of Jeff and Jessica
Kovan. Jeff Kovan is director of MSU
sports medicine and the team physician
for MSU basketball, soccer, track and
softball.
Zach Kovan, Sarah's brother, is a fresh-
man goalie on the MSU men's soccer
team. He made the All-State Dream Team
in 2014 playing for Okemos High School.
Sarah also played soccer for Okemos High
School.
MEET FOR MACCABI
Athletes and artists who want to repre-
sent Detroit in the 2016 JCC Maccabi
Games & ArtsFest are urged to attend
a meeting at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec.
6, in Handleman Hall at the Jewish
Community Center in West Bloomfield.
Costs, tryout dates, host communities
and other details will be discussed.
The 2016 Maccabi Games hosts are
Columbus, Ohio; St. Louis, Mo.; and
Stamford, Conn. The Columbus Games
will be July 24-29. The St. Louis Games
will be July 31-Aug. 5. The Stamford
Games & ArtsFest will be Aug. 7-12.
ArtsFest categories include acting/
improv, culinary, dance, musical theater,
rock band, star reporters, visual arts and
vocal music/glee.
To participate in the 2016 Maccabi
Games, an athlete or artist must have at
least one Jewish parent and be age 13-16
as of July 31.
Karen Gordon and Franci Silver are
Detroit's delegation heads. For informa-
tion, go to www.maccabidetroit org. *
Please send sports news to
stevestein502004@yahoo.com
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