Rhodes Scholars

C. F. Tucker Brooke, 1904, received an A.B. from WVU at the age of 18, and an M.A. one year later; he was a member of the first group of Rhodes Scholars from around the world.
Robert P. Strickler, 1907, he matriculated at Oxford in 1908 and began a teaching career at Davis and Elkins College in 1919.
Thomas P. Hardman was the first Rhodes Scholar to return for an academic career at WVU as dean of the College of Law in 1930.
Van Wagenen Gilson, 1910, studied at Queen’s College, followed by a successful business career with Standard Oil, Goodyear, and Seiberling Rubber.
Frederick M. Smith, 1913, after receiving a B.A. from Oxford, he returned to WVU in 1927 as an assistant professor of English and stayed until 1965.
Rexford B. Hersey, 1917, served in the US Army field artillery 1918-19 before receiving degrees from Oxford and Berlin University.
Julian L. Hagen, 1919, earned the first recorded law degree from Oxford awarded to a West Virginia Rhodes Scholar.
John E.F. Wood earned a B.A. and M.A. in jurisprudence from Christ Church College, Oxford, and spent his legal career in New York City.
John D. Phillips, 1930, served as president of the West Virginia Bar Association in 1955 and was a member of the West Virginia State Board of Law Examiners for 20 years.
Charles R. Sleeth majored in Old and Middle English at Oxford and went on to careers in teaching and editing, specializing in etymology.
Guy O. Farmer, 1936, studied at Brasenose College, Oxford, and became a senior partner in Farmer, Shibley, McGuinn and Flood.
Ford L. Battles did not begin his studies at Oxford immediately upon receipt of his scholarship; in 1941 he joined the US Army Air Corps and later studied church history at Oxford.
Jack B. Justice was WVU student body president 1951-52, earned a B.A. in jurisprudence from Oxford in 1954, and practiced law in Philadelphia, PA.
Richard E. Stewart had the unique position of being the son of a WVU President and serving as the student body president; he studied law at Queen’s College, Oxford.
Roger W. Tompkins returned to West Virginia after receiving a B.A. and M.A. from Oxford and his L.L.B. from Yale, serving as state attorney general (1989-90).
David C. Hardesty Jr. , 1967, was student body president when he received the award; he rowed for Queen’s College, held several important positions in the state, and became WVU President in 1995.
Peter J. Kalis, like so many other WVU Rhodes Scholars, was student body president his senior year; he received two doctorates, a D.Phil. from Oxford and a J.D. from Yale.
Daniel W. Williams III was a WVU chemistry major and varsity football quarterback planning to go to medical school when he was chosen as a Rhodes Scholar.
Craig H. Underwood, 1980, a student body president who lobbied for a local health and safety code, majored in economics, political science, and philosophy at Oxford.
Barbara Ann Harmon-Schamberger was the first woman from WVU to receive a Rhodes Scholarship, and studied for three years at St. Catherine’s College.
Brian A. Glasser, 1987, earned a B.A. in politics, philosophy, and economics from Oxford and a J.D. cum laude from Harvard University.
Brad M. Hoylman , 1988, a University Honors Scholar, Truman Scholar, and Marshall Scholar, he earned a master’s of philosophy in politics from Oxford.
Thomas A. Gaziano, an Honors Program scholar and Truman Scholar, studied philosophy, politics, and economics at Oxford and attended Harvard Medical School.
John R. Unger II , 1993, studied philosophy, politics, and economics at Oxford, and assisted Mother Teresa coordinate relief efforts in Calcutta.
Carolyn G. Conner , 1995, a mechanical engineering major, was a WVU University Honors Scholar and Foundation Scholar who studied physics and philosophy at Oxford.

To learn more, read about WVU's Rhodes Scholarship Faculty Advisor's trip to Oxford!