Florida State safety Myron Rolle won a Rhodes scholarship less than three hours before the Seminoles kicked off in College Park against Maryland.Rolle was one of seven finalists who interviewed in Birmingham, Ala., on Saturday, November 23rd. He then boarded a charter plane and flew to Baltimore to join his teammates.
Rolle is the third Florida State student, and only football player, to win the award in the last four years. NCAA shot put champion Garrett Johnson and Joe O'Shea also won. Rolle, an aspiring neurosurgeon, will now decide between the NFL and an all-expense paid scholarship for two or three years of study at Oxford University in England.
He finished the interview in Birmingham, Ala., around 6 p.m. EST before boarding a private plane to catch up with his teammates for the game that started around 7:45 p.m. Rolle arrived to the stadium in the second quarter.
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A Rhodes Scholar is a winner of one of the approximately 90 Rhodes Scholarships awarded each year by the Rhodes Foundation. Rhodes Scholar recipients study at Oxford University, in England, for one to two years. This study may be applied to the degree the Scholar may be working towards at another University, or it may serve to complete a degree. The Rhodes Scholar may also be seeking an advanced degree. In fact, many use their scholarship to pursue Master's or Ph.D. programs at Oxford.
The Rhodes Trust was established in 1902, through the will of Cecil John Rhodes. Students eligible to apply to become a Rhodes Scholar were and still are supposed to have a fondness for sports, or success in sports, strong moral character, devotion to duty, interest in one's fellow citizens and desire to lead. Initially the scholarship was awarded to students solely from the US, the UK, and Germany.
Official Press Release of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Myron L. Rolle, born October 30, 1986 in Houston, TX to Beverly and Whitney Rolle of the Bahamas. He is the youngest of the five Rolle brothers, Marchant, Marvis, Modecai, and McKinley all his senior.
The Rolle family would later find themselves in the city of Galloway, NJ. Beginning his high school career, Myron attended the Peddie School. In addition to playing football he played the saxophone in the school band, sang in a school play, and was the sports editor of the school newspaper. After transferring from the Peddie School, Rolle played high school football at the Hun School of Princeton, where the All-American made 112 tackles including 14 for loss in his senior season as the #1 High-School Football prospect in the country while maintaining a flawless 4.0 GPA.
Prior to graduation, Myron received a reported 83 scholarships offers from schools around the country. However, even as a teenager Myron's focus was on academics during the recruitment process. In a recent interview in Sports Illustrated (SI.com), Myron told reporters he chose Florida State "because it was the only school that was committed to aiding me in reaching my goals as a standout student..." In keeping with tradition, Mr. Rolle has exemplified achievement at every turn in his collegiate career. As an Exercise Science/Biology Pre- Med student, Brother Rolle has maintained a near perfect GPA of 3.75.
Recognizing his academic talents, Dr. Tim Logan, professor of Biochemistry, offered Myron the opportunity to conduct stem-cell and cancer-cell research in his lab. Furthermore, president of the university Dr. T. K. Wetherell appointed Myron as a task force facilitator to educate student members of the Seminole Tribe of Florida about diabetes, obesity, and other health-related issues. For his participation in Dr. Logan's research and numerous other projects, Myron was awarded the prestigious 2008 Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Award. These experiences confirmed Myron's passion to pursue an advanced degree in medicine. His long term desire is to become a medical doctor and return to the Bahamas to establish 'Free Clinics' for its citizens.
After only two and a half years of course study, Brother Rolle completed the requirements for his bachelor's degree while looking toward course work for a Master's degree in Public Administration. Myron was recently been nominated by FSU Faculty to be a world-leading Rhode's Scholar, and at no surprise, Myron's petition has been accepted by the Rhodes committee. Brother Rolle will represent the United States as 1 of 32 Rhodes Scholars to pursue graduate study at Oxford University in England in the Fall of 2009 and the third FSU Student in 4 years to be granted the honor.
As a student Myron has also been involved on campus in a number of organizations. His own development has been undoubtedly aided through his membership in Kappa Alpha Psi. of which Myron noted, "Our fraternity is founded on the principle of achievement. 'Iron sharpens iron.' Spending time around like-minded men of color who are excelling in every aspect in their lives has pushed me to reach even higher." He has also served as the Vice President of the Student Athletic Council, member of the prestigious Burning Spear leadership circle, Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honorary.
Myron's strength and knowledge in the classroom of nutrition, physiological adaptations to training, metabolism, and biochemical pathways affected by exercise undoubtedly contribute to his performance on the football field. At 6' 2" and 220 pounds, Myron has been a leader for the Seminole defense since he joined the team.
In his first season, he closed 77 tackles as he was named ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year and Freshman All-American for his aggressive play at Strong Safety (SS) for Florida State. He was further honored by the presence of one of Kappa Alpha Psi's honored past times when he received the Arthur Ashe Foundation Academic All- American award [Tennis great Arthur Ashe was a Kappa man]. In route to his third and likely final season, College coaching legend and FSU Head Coach Bobby Bowden selected Rolle along with nine other players to represent the "Core" leadership team for Seminoles as well as being named a defensive team Captain.
Myron is considered a blue-chip safety in college football and is a highly probable first round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. Each season he has spent time working out with NFL players such as Baltimore Ravens Cornerback Samari Rolle to get his game ready for the next level; his diligence on perfecting his skills in the off-season has paid off.
Brother Rolle was recently named 2008 Preseason All-ACC and All-American candidate. He was also named to the Chuck Bednarik Award, Ronnie Lott Award, and Bronko Ngurski Award watch lists. To date, Mr. Rolle has been a shining example to the nation of what can be achieved with determination, perseverance, hard work, and dedication. As a world class scholar, athlete, thought leader, and inspirational manifesto his record has most certainly been promising.
However, with a future like his, the best is yet to come.
The Rolle family would later find themselves in the city of Galloway, NJ. Beginning his high school career, Myron attended the Peddie School. In addition to playing football he played the saxophone in the school band, sang in a school play, and was the sports editor of the school newspaper. After transferring from the Peddie School, Rolle played high school football at the Hun School of Princeton, where the All-American made 112 tackles including 14 for loss in his senior season as the #1 High-School Football prospect in the country while maintaining a flawless 4.0 GPA.
Prior to graduation, Myron received a reported 83 scholarships offers from schools around the country. However, even as a teenager Myron's focus was on academics during the recruitment process. In a recent interview in Sports Illustrated (SI.com), Myron told reporters he chose Florida State "because it was the only school that was committed to aiding me in reaching my goals as a standout student..." In keeping with tradition, Mr. Rolle has exemplified achievement at every turn in his collegiate career. As an Exercise Science/Biology Pre- Med student, Brother Rolle has maintained a near perfect GPA of 3.75.
Recognizing his academic talents, Dr. Tim Logan, professor of Biochemistry, offered Myron the opportunity to conduct stem-cell and cancer-cell research in his lab. Furthermore, president of the university Dr. T. K. Wetherell appointed Myron as a task force facilitator to educate student members of the Seminole Tribe of Florida about diabetes, obesity, and other health-related issues. For his participation in Dr. Logan's research and numerous other projects, Myron was awarded the prestigious 2008 Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Award. These experiences confirmed Myron's passion to pursue an advanced degree in medicine. His long term desire is to become a medical doctor and return to the Bahamas to establish 'Free Clinics' for its citizens.
After only two and a half years of course study, Brother Rolle completed the requirements for his bachelor's degree while looking toward course work for a Master's degree in Public Administration. Myron was recently been nominated by FSU Faculty to be a world-leading Rhode's Scholar, and at no surprise, Myron's petition has been accepted by the Rhodes committee. Brother Rolle will represent the United States as 1 of 32 Rhodes Scholars to pursue graduate study at Oxford University in England in the Fall of 2009 and the third FSU Student in 4 years to be granted the honor.
As a student Myron has also been involved on campus in a number of organizations. His own development has been undoubtedly aided through his membership in Kappa Alpha Psi. of which Myron noted, "Our fraternity is founded on the principle of achievement. 'Iron sharpens iron.' Spending time around like-minded men of color who are excelling in every aspect in their lives has pushed me to reach even higher." He has also served as the Vice President of the Student Athletic Council, member of the prestigious Burning Spear leadership circle, Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honorary.
Myron's strength and knowledge in the classroom of nutrition, physiological adaptations to training, metabolism, and biochemical pathways affected by exercise undoubtedly contribute to his performance on the football field. At 6' 2" and 220 pounds, Myron has been a leader for the Seminole defense since he joined the team.
In his first season, he closed 77 tackles as he was named ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year and Freshman All-American for his aggressive play at Strong Safety (SS) for Florida State. He was further honored by the presence of one of Kappa Alpha Psi's honored past times when he received the Arthur Ashe Foundation Academic All- American award [Tennis great Arthur Ashe was a Kappa man]. In route to his third and likely final season, College coaching legend and FSU Head Coach Bobby Bowden selected Rolle along with nine other players to represent the "Core" leadership team for Seminoles as well as being named a defensive team Captain.
Myron is considered a blue-chip safety in college football and is a highly probable first round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. Each season he has spent time working out with NFL players such as Baltimore Ravens Cornerback Samari Rolle to get his game ready for the next level; his diligence on perfecting his skills in the off-season has paid off.
Brother Rolle was recently named 2008 Preseason All-ACC and All-American candidate. He was also named to the Chuck Bednarik Award, Ronnie Lott Award, and Bronko Ngurski Award watch lists. To date, Mr. Rolle has been a shining example to the nation of what can be achieved with determination, perseverance, hard work, and dedication. As a world class scholar, athlete, thought leader, and inspirational manifesto his record has most certainly been promising.
However, with a future like his, the best is yet to come.
plez sez: what a remarkable young man. i am the Kappa Alpha Psi advisor for the Georgia Tech Chapter, so i can truly understand how proud his advisor and chapter brothers must be of his accomplishment.
the motto of Kappa Alpha Psi is "Training for Leadership."
the fundamental purpose of Kappa Alpha Psi is "Achievement in Every Field of Human Endeavor."
MYRON ROLLE simply exemplifies everything that our fraternity stands for. and even though, the georgia tech yellow jackets (with Kappa Alpha Psi members, defensive end DERRICK MORGAN and cornerback MICHAEL PETERSON) stung the Florida State Seminoles a few weeks ago, plezWorld still sends up a big "YO" to Brother Rolle for his accomplishments.
~ ~ Citations ~ ~
Read the Sports Illustrated article about Rhodes Scholar Myron Rolle.
Read the ESPN.com article about Rolle winning the Rhodes scholarship.
Read the New York Times article about Myron Rolle.
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2 comments:
all i care about is the scholar
All I can say is Phi Nupe, Brother
Plez...Brother Rolle has made all of us proud.
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