Among the Chosen Few Longwood

Students Earn Elite National Scholarships

Two Longwood students were selected to receive prestigious, competitive national scholarships in spring 2023.

Emily Robertson ’24, a communication studies major, was selected to receive a Harry S. Truman Scholarship. Only a handful of college juniors each year—typically from the most elite universities—are selected for the honor.

Antonio Harvey ’25, a chemistry major, was named the recipient of a Barry Goldwater Scholarship, the country’s premier undergraduate award for students planning careers in mathematics, science or engineering research.

Robertson, a native of South Hill, Virginia, is the first Lancer to be named a Truman Scholar, an honor that recognizes leadership potential, a commitment to a career in government or the nonprofit sector and academic excellence.

Since arriving at Longwood, she has sought out a number of public service opportunities like leading campus organizations including the College Democrats and Honors Students Association; interning with the nonprofit Clean Virginia Waterways, where she organized coastal cleanup days; and devoting countless volunteer hours to regional and statewide political campaigns.

Harvey, a Farmville native, fell in love with chemistry research as a high-schooler in a Longwood summer program. By the end of his college sophomore year, he had already spent more hours in the lab and completed more research projects than many graduating seniors. As a testament to his research prowess, Harvey was one of only a handful of students across the country to earn the Goldwater award in their sophomore year.

They Aced It

Nursing students post highest pass rate in Virginia for licensure test

LONGWOOD NURSING students in 2022-23 passed their licensure test—the last qualifying step that all professional nurses must pass—at a 98 percent rate, the highest among all four-year nursing programs in Virginia.

This year also marks seven straight years where Longwood’s pass rates have been above 90 percent, including several years of perfect performances. That passing rate has led the program to be ranked No. 1 in the Southeast region by NursingProcess.org.

“This is a high-stakes test, and our students work extraordinarily hard for four years to prepare for this moment,” said Dr. Kim Little, professor and director of the nursing program.

“It’s a testament to their intellect and commitment to this vocation that we have seen such incredible passing rates among our first-time test-takers.”