UBC graduate John McArthur has been awarded the 1998 Rhodes Scholarship for B.C.
McArthur graduated from UBC in 1996 with a BA in political science. He is now studying for a master's degree in public policy at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
The Rhodes Scholarship provides all expenses for two years of study at Oxford University, with an option for a third year. Eleven Rhodes Scholarships are awarded in Canada each year, one of which is allocated to B.C.
McArthur intends to pursue a law degree at Oxford.
At Harvard, he is involved in rowing and edits the international section of the Citizen, a campus newspaper. In the summer of 1997 he worked in Washington D.C. for the Canadian embassy as a liaison officer to the World Bank.
While at UBC, McArthur won the Alumni Association's outstanding student award and was named a Wesbrook Scholar for finishing in the top 10 per cent of his class and demonstrating an ability to serve, work with and lead others.
His athletic career at UBC included four years with the Thunderbird swim team. As well, he volunteered with the Immigrant Services Society of B.C.
The Rhodes scholarship requires a high level of scholastic achievement, success in sport, strong qualities of leadership and character and demonstrated public service.