For weeks, University of Arizona student Ojas Sanghi had Tuesday, April 8, circled on his calendar: The day he hoped to hear about the Truman Scholarship. Every year, the prestigious award is given to several dozen college students intending to enter government work or public service. 

April 8 was the day after the last round of interviews, and Sanghi had a feeling someone might call. His phone never rang, but he did receive an email.

Sanghi was contacted by Karna Walter, W.A. Franke Honors College assistant dean for student engagement and director of the Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships. Walter asked if Sanghi could meet later that week to "debrief on his interviews." 

"The whole thing felt odd," Sanghi said. "So, we met on a Friday, and we went inside Old Main. As we enter, I see John Pollard, the dean of the Honors College. He puts his arm around me and says he wants to introduce me to someone."

That is when Sanghi met University of Arizona President Suresh V. Garimella, who surprised the young man with news of the Truman Scholarship.

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Sanghi is one of 53 college students selected for the 2025 scholarship, chosen from a pool of 743 candidates that were nominated by 288 U.S. colleges and universities. This year's recipients join the 3,618 previous Truman Scholars recognized since the Harry S. Truman Foundation was founded by Congress in 1975. 

Sanghi is not the first Wildcat named a Truman Scholar. He joins 14 other U of A students who previously earned the Truman Scholarship, which includes funding for graduate school, leadership training, career counseling and special internship and fellowship opportunities with the federal government. 

"Ojas exemplifies the very best of the University of Arizona," Garimella said. " Earning a Truman Scholarship is a distinct honor, and it reflects Ojas' commitment to creating a better, more resilient future. We are proud of his achievement, and excited to see the impact he will make in the world."

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Pollard echoed Garimella, calling Sanghi a perfect representative of the innovative spirit that drives all Wildcats towards success.

"Ojas' commitment to academic rigor and his service to his community within the U of A, Tucson and beyond exemplify our college values," Pollard said. "His ability to think systemically to address challenges is something I admire, and his work surrounding artificial intelligence in clean energy systems will be crucial to solving some of the most pressing issues of our time."

For his part, Sanghi said the whole experience felt "very surreal." He first heard about the Truman Scholarship the summer before starting college, and created a spreadsheet dedicated to earning the award. He admits that may have been overkill, but said the hard work paid off.

After his meeting with Garimella, Sanghi immediately texted his mom, dad and sisters.

"My mom called me first – and she was in shock," Sanghi said. "I try to imagine moments like this from her perspective: She was born in a really small town in the-middle-of-nowhere India and just became a citizen two weeks ago. Now, her son is accomplishing all of these great things."

From coding to conservation

While applying for college, Sanghi said he was drawn to the U of A because Tucson felt like home. He now studies computer science in the College of Science, and future Earth resilience – a minor offered through the W.A. Franke Honors College.

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Sanghi is vice president of a student-led organization that encourages a focus on clean and sustainable energy sources and is a member of the AZ Youth Climate Coalition. He also works on the City of Tucson Commission on Climate, Energy and Sustainability, an advisory group that offers guidance to Tucson's mayor and City Council on environmental and climate issues. 

The impact of which Sanghi is most proud is Tucson Unified School District adopting its climate action resolution, which the district passed in October. The complete plan, once adopted in 2026, commits TUSD to achieve net zero emissions by 2040, with an interim goal of cutting emissions in half by 2030. The resolution was written and lobbied for by members of the climate coalition. As the organization's Tucson co-lead, Sanghi led students in lobbying for the resolution for over a year – and collaborated with TUSD governing board member Ravi Shah throughout the process.

In his letter recommending Sanghi for the Truman Scholarship, Shah said "the climate action policy would not have come to fruition if not for the leadership of Ojas Sanghi." 

"I anticipate Ojas' continued leadership will ensure that our new policy is implemented effectively. He will keep holding us to account to make sure our district keeps to the promises we passed," Shah wrote. "Ojas is a proven leader here in Tucson and has great potential to accomplish even bigger policy achievements locally and beyond."

Sanghi is also a student employee in the Printz Research Group, led by Adam Printz, assistant professor of chemical and environmental engineering. Sanghi and his colleagues are developing the next generation of printable electronics, including bendable 3D-printed solar panels.

Sanghi will graduate next spring and has impressive goals in place for his future. He is currently weighing graduate school options, considering both a master's degree in technology and policy or a doctorate related to artificial intelligence. He is set to begin a summer research program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, followed by work at Sandia National Laboratories on solar panel innovations. 

Sanghi hopes his experiences as a Truman Scholar will lead to a professional career influencing policy that accelerates the use of artificial intelligence in clean energy systems. 

"I've gotten where I am because of so many people," he said. "Every single person in my life has played a really big role – even if they don't know it. I try to remind myself of that every day."

Read more about Sanghi in this profile on the university's news website. Students interested in applying for scholarships can visit the Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships website.