Grant Rigney

UT senior Grant Rigney, has been named a Rhodes Scholar—the eighth in university history—and will begin his graduate studies at Oxford University next fall.

Rigney, a student in chemical and biomolecular engineering from Normandy, Tennessee, is the editor-in-chief of Pursuit, UT’s journal of undergraduate research, and has conducted research at the UT Medical Center on toxicity of PET-CT imaging agents. While at Oxford, Rigney will pursue masters degrees in Global Health Science and Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation.

Each year, 32 scholars are selected from 16 districts across the United States. District 12 encompasses Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Tennessee. Scholars receive tuition, fees, travel and a monthly stipend during their two years of post-baccalaureate study. Applicants are chosen on the criteria of academic excellence, character, leadership, and must “be conscious of inequities” in the world.

Rigney volunteers at a local homeless clinic and founded the Homeless Prevention University and Community Alliance at UT. He is also a licensed private pilot, a Certified Nurse’s Assistant, triathlete, and internationally recognized bluegrass musician on the fiddle and mandolin.

Read the full release and profiles of the winners at rhodescholars.org.