Farrales Named McClain Pershing Scholar

The Pershing Scholarship is one of the most prestigious awards the University can offer a student. Named in honor of U.S. Army general and University alumnus John J. Pershing, the scholarship was created by former President Charles J. McClain and designed to provide a Truman education to some of the best and brightest students from across the nation. Since its inception in 1974, hundreds of students have studied at Truman as Pershing Scholars.

McClain’s vision was that over time the Pershing Scholarship program would be supported by gifts from alumni and friends. In 2000, he helped kick off a campaign to build the scholarship endowment. Generous donors contributed to the ever-growing legacy, and efforts were redoubled in recent years.

Thanks to donors, the endowment is now able to support one Pershing Scholar who receives the distinction of being named the Charles J. McClain Pershing Scholar. This honor is bestowed annually on a junior or senior Pershing Scholar who has demonstrated preeminent intellectual capability and energetic leadership in the classroom, campus and community.

An exercise science major from Nixa, Mo., Farrales graduated in May. He was a part of three different research teams. On campus, he worked as a student ambassador, an anatomy lab teaching assistant and in the Student Recreation Center. A member of the track and field team, Farrales was named the Men’s Track Athlete of the Year by the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. He also did a presentation on cup stacking at the University’s inaugural TEDx in the fall.