A student who graduated with honors from Morehouse College in May has earned a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship, the college announced.
Franck Nijimbere will pursue a doctorate in computer science with a focus on artificial intelligence and machine learning at Oxford University to empower his home country of Burundi and the continent of Africa, Rhodes officials said.
“It’s a great honor to be part of such a circle of leaders and intellectuals,” Nijimbere said in a news release from Morehouse. “This opportunity wouldn’t have been possible without the people who have molded me into the person I am today: my parents, my family, my educators, my friends, and my mentors. I truly stand on the shoulders of giants.”
Nijimbere had a 3.86 grade-point average and graduated summa cum laude. He’s the fifth student from Morehouse to earn a Rhodes Scholarship, which the college said is more than any Historically Black College and University.
The Rhodes Scholarships were created in 1902 to help high-achieving students with strong leadership potential. Prominent Rhodes scholars include former President Bill Clinton, former Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow and former Agnes Scott College president Elizabeth Kiss.
An Emory University and a Georgia Tech student were selected Rhodes Scholars last year.
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