AUSTIN, Texas—Joscelin Yeo, a recent graduate of The University of Texas at Austin’s College of Education, 3-time Olympian and winner of six gold medals in swimming at the Southeast Asian Games, has been awarded a Rhodes Scholarship.
Yeo will be using the award to pursue studies in the “Science and Medicine of Athletic Performance” next fall at the University of Oxford in England.
Yeo (Republic of Singapore/Melbourne Girls School) is the first student from the College of Education’s Department of Kinesiology and Health Education as well as the first University of Texas at Austin female student-athlete to win the award.
“Having a graduate of the College of Education chosen as a Rhodes Scholar is truly an exceptional honor,” said Dr. Manuel Justiz, dean of the College of Education. “Joscelin is an Olympic athlete who brings much pride to Singapore and a top-notch scholar, student-athlete and leader who brings great pride to our university as well.”
Yeo’s prolific list of athletic accomplishments includes participation in the Barcelona, Atlanta and Sydney Olympics, being named collegiate All-America swimmer 21 times and being selected an Academic All-American. While attending The University of Texas at Austin, Yeo was a 10-time Big 12 Champion, helped the Texas swimming team in winning two Big 12 Championships and is the Big 12 and school record holder in the 200 Individual Medley. She is participating in swimming trials to qualify for her fourth consecutive Olympic Games, in which she will represent her native country of Singapore.
“We are extremely pleased that Joscelin was selected as a Rhodes Scholar,” said Dr. John Ivy, chair of the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education. “And that one of her goals upon completing her study at Oxford is to return to Singapore to promote sport and a physically active lifestyle.”
While at the university, Yeo was named to the Dean’s List and graduated from the College of Education last spring with a 3.68 grade-point average.
The Rhodes Scholarship, which averages $30,000 a year, was created in 1902 by British philanthropist Cecil Rhodes to bring outstanding students from all over the world to Oxford. Rhodes designated that, among other desired traits, the chosen scholars should exemplify high academic achievement, integrity of character, potential for leadership and physical vigor.
The award covers tuition, fees and living expenses for two years at Oxford as well as travel expenses to and from the university. The scholarship includes a third year if needed for the student’s area of study.
For more information contact: Kay Randall, Office of Public Affairs, 512-232-3910.
