Messenger - Vol. 1, No. 1, Page 4 Fall 1991 A Rhodes wends way from Delaware Recently described by one proud parent as the Heisman Trophy of scholastic achievement, the Rhodes Scholarship is earned each year by only 32 U.S. college students. Among the list of 1990 winners, which contained the usual high number of students from Ivy League schools, was the name, Leonard P. Stark of the University of Delaware. Stark, who was attracted to the University because of its Honors Program, was graduated in June with three degrees-a bachelor's in political science and another in economics and a master's in European medieval and early modern history- along with a minor in women's studies. He was one of four candidates recommended for the Rhodes Scholarship from among 14 semi-finalists in the Mid-Atlantic region. The other three winners from that area are from Yale and Columbia universities and the University of Pennsylvania. "I was hoping to be a good-enough candidate to make the regional interview," said the soft-spoken young man who is an avid follower of the Washington Redskins. "I never expected to win. I just wanted to be qualified enough to try for it." Stark did more than try. He succeeded in gaining a two-year education at Oxford University, compliments of the estate of scholarship founder Cecil J. Rhodes, the British colonial pioneer and statesman who directed that the program be established after his death in 1902. Only seven Delaware gradautes before Stark have been chosen to participate in this revered Oxford University tradition, the last nearly 30 years ago. According to research conducted by former Rhodes Scholar Cornelius Tilghman Sr. of Newark, Delaware '25, these include Charles Bush, Delaware '03; Everett F. Warrington, Delaware '07; F. Bayard Carter, Delaware '20; G. Gray Carter, Delaware '22; William H. Maguigan, Delaware '35; and Anthony A. Sholl, Delaware '61. At Oxford, Stark plans to research the office of the British prime minister and compare it to the American presidency. Eventually, he said, he hopes to attend law school at Harvard or Yale. Among celebrated winners of the "Rhodes" are singer-songwriter-actor Kris Kristofferson and "Whizzer" White, University of Colorado running back and a former professional football player. Today, "Whizzer" is better known as U.S. Supreme Court Justice Byron Robert White. Former Princeton All-American and New York Knickerbockers' standout Bill Bradley also held a Rhodes Scholarship, and the U.S. senator from New Jersey played a major role in Stark's initial decision to seek the scholarship. Stark prepared himself for the rigorous competition by reading information about the experiences of prior Rhodes candidates, and he said he was amazed that the process was not as intimidating as he had heard. In an article in the publication, Campus Voice, titled "The Long and Winding Rhodes," a former aspirant shared several celebrated stories about candidates who were purposely flustered during the final interview by such tactics as being invited to sit on a collapsing chair and being asked to open a window that was nailed shut. "Nothing like that happened," said Stark, adding that he felt the committee tried to make the process as humane as possible. But, he admitted, just going through the interview process and waiting for the results were intimidating and difficult. Stark's strong academic background impressed the judges. "He did Delaware proud at the regional committee," Ben Lochtenberg, chairman of ICI Americas Inc. and secretary to the Delaware Rhodes Scholarship Committee, said. "He was accepted by some of the Ivy League universities, but he chose Delaware, where he virtually could construct his own courses and develop his syllabus. He obviously saw advantages at Delaware that he didn't see at the other schools." Stark recalled that all the semi-finalists had been waiting for hours for word of the final selections when the seven members of the interviewing committee-which included six former Rhodes Scholars- entered the waiting room of the director's office of the New York Public Library, where the finals of the competition took place. "They called out the winners in alphabetical order," Stark said. "When they said 'Simmonds,' I was so confused that I thought her name came after mine. So, I knew I had lost. "I was so confused, I couldn't remember the alphabet. Then, I was surprised and shocked. I thought they made a mistake because I thought I was out of it. By the time I realized that I had won, everyone was congratulating me and shaking my hand. I didn't even know who the other winners were." The former Eugene du Pont Memorial Distinguished Scholar, who said he likes to keep up with world events, has a strong interest in politics though "that's something I try to resist, at times." Stark said his future could well hold a career in politics or government service. In the meantime, he said, he'll keep up with current events and, each year in December, check The New York Times for the names of other University of Delaware students selected to receive Rhodes Scholarships. -Ed Okonowicz, Delaware '69, '84M