VINCENT HOFER IS EIGHTH K-STATER SINCE 1986 TO WIN A RHODES SCHOLARSHIP

Vincent M. Hofer, Franklin, is one of 32 winners nationally of a Rhodes Scholarship. Hofer is K-State’s eighth Rhodes winner since 1986.

“All of us at K-State are thrilled and overjoyed that Vincent Hofer received a Rhodes scholarship,” said K-State President Jon Wefald. “We are delighted that Vincent will have an opportunity to represent K-State for two years at Oxford University. Any time any university can boast of having a Rhodes scholar, it is something very special for that university. Such a win speaks to Vincent’s academic abilities and also to the quality of education he received from K-State faculty.”

Hofer, a 2008 graduate in agribusiness, works for U.S. Senator Sam Brownback in Washington, D.C., as a legislative correspondent.

“The Rhodes will give Vincent the chance to pursue Latin American studies and Development Studies at Oxford University, one of the top universities in the world,” said James Hohenbary, assistant dean for nationally competitive scholarships. “Having gotten to know Vincent through the application process, I am convinced that he will make excellent use of this opportunity. Not only an outstanding student and leader in his career at K-State, he has a great work ethic, intense intellectual curiosity, and a deep concern for the welfare of others. I am thrilled to see him recognized in this way.”

After completing graduate studies, Hofer plans to pursue a career in international development. At K-State, Hofer received the Anderson Award for Outstanding Leadership, and as chapter president, he was instrumental in leading the K-State National Agri-Marketing Association team to back-to-back wins in national competition.

Other leadership offices he held at K-State include president and vice president of the Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Club, vice president of Blue Key Senior Honor Society, and the vice president and treasurer of the Ag Competition Team Council. Hofer was a recitation instructor for a class of 40 students in agricultural economics, named the Agricultural Economics Department Outstanding Senior of the Year, and a recipient of $28,000 in merit-based scholarships during his college years, including the leadership scholarship. He participated in many different community groups, including being a youth minister leader at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, active in St. Isidore’s Catholic Student Center, and volunteer coordinator for the Special Olympics Polar Bear Plunge.

In fall 2005 he studied in Geelong, Australia, and in summer 2007 he was a financial analyst for the Inter-American Investment Corporation and a research assistant at Zamorano University in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. A 2004 graduate of Girard High School, he is the son of Chris and Nancy Hofer, Franklin.

K-State is second among state universities to the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, in Rhodes competition since 1986. Since 1986, K-State has had 11 Marshall Scholars, 23 Truman Scholars, 60 Goldwater Scholars and 19 Udall Scholars.

“This reaffirms what Paul Harvey said on his nationally syndicated radio program – that K-State is the student scholar capitol of America,” Wefald said.