West Virginia University junior Justin R. Moore would like to learn more about the historical relationship between China, Korea and Japan and wants to use that information to better serve the United States.

The international studies and political science student from New Columbia, Pa., is WVU’s seventh recipient – fourth in the last two years – of the National Security Education Program’s David L. Boren Scholarship. He is among 138 students nationwide to be selected for the 2010-11 year.

“This is a great honor for Justin, placing him among the brightest and most promising leaders of tomorrow. Our students are consistently competitive in these national awards, and it is truly inspiring to see the kind of dedication and passion students like Justin bring to their studies. It is also a nice reflection on the kind of faculty and staff mentoring that our students enjoy here at WVU,” said WVU President James. P. Clements.

The Boren Scholarship program, which includes awards up to $20,000 for study, focuses on sending students to areas of the world that are critical to U.S. national security interests and underrepresented in study abroad.

Scholars are required to study less commonly taught languages, and complete a service requirement within three years after completion of the program. Under the service requirement, each scholar must work in a federal government position with national security responsibilities for at least one year.

“West Virginia University attracts very high quality students and each year they demonstrate their acumen. It gives me great pleasure that I have the privilege of working with students, like Justin, to recognize their abilities” said Lisa DeFrank-Cole, director of the ASPIRE office.

Moore will be studying abroad for one year in Japan. At Toyo University in Tokyo, he will be studying the language, writing system, history and culture of the area.

“I am extremely proud and I am glad that I can represent WVU on an international scale,” he said.

In the future, Moore would like to work in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

The program, which was started in 1991 began giving scholarships in 1994. For more information, visit http://www.borenawards.org/ .

-WVU-

cd/04/30/10

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