The award, valued at $30,000, is given to just 62 U.S. college juniors annually and is the premier graduate scholarship for aspiring public service leaders in the United States. Winners were announced April 12.

Nicodemus, originally from the small rural western Kentucky city of Hartford, is a chemical engineering major in the who is minoring in chemistry. His undergraduate research at UofL and with the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change. 

Hoping to bridge the gap between technological advancements and social policy, upon graduation he plans to pursue doctoral studies in chemical engineering and continue his career as a researcher with the DOE. He hopes to transition into policy work as a subject matter expert in his field with an eye toward enabling scientific discoveries to directly serve public needs.

Nicodemus was also one of two UofL students to be awarded a 2023 , which recognizes U.S. sophomores and juniors pursuing research careers in math, science and engineering.

“I am thrilled with the opportunity to represent the University of Louisville and my home state of Kentucky in both of these prestigious organizations,” he said. “It is one thing to be recognized for my accomplishments and potential as a scientist and as a public servant, respectively, but to be able to combine these two passions of mine in such elite venues as the Truman and Goldwater foundations is a dream come true; just the next step in a lifelong journey of service as a scientist.”

Among his many projects at Speed, he worked on the Team Desert Phoenix solar house in 2021 and was part of the 2020 to improve a device commonly used to treat COVID-19 and other patients with respiratory problems.

There were more than 700 applicants for this year’s Truman Scholarship from 275 colleges and universities. This year’s awardees join a community of 3,504 Truman Scholars named since the first awards in 1977. Including Nicodemus, 15 UofL students have been Truman awardees; the last UofL student to win the scholarship was in 2021. 

Nicodemus also is one of UofL’s two 2023 Goldwater Scholars. Read more.

The award, valued at $30,000, is given to just 62 U.S. college students annually. It is the premier graduate scholarship for aspiring public service leaders in the United States.

The foundation announced the winners April 14.

Raikes, a Campbellsville, Kentucky, native, plans to use the scholarship toward her goal of attending Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., to earn a law degree and a Master’s of Science in Georgetown’s Addiction Policy and Practice program.

“Addiction is one of the most under-addressed and mistreated problems in our society today,” Raikes said. “It has deeply impacted our state, my community and my own family. I hope to dedicate my career in public service to dismantling policies that stand in the way of harm reduction and comprehensive recovery.”

Raikes heard the news during an emotional surprise video call with UofL President Neeli Bendapudi.

“You are the best of the Cardinal Spirit,” Bendapudi said. “You persevered through an extremely challenging year to earn this prestigious scholarship.”

There were more than 800 applicants for this year’s Truman Scholarship from more than 300 colleges and universities. 

“Our best students stack up against anybody’s best students,” said Charlie Leonard, who directs UofL’s Office of National and International Scholarship Opportunities. “We hit the jackpot with Lexi, who we know will maximize this opportunity to facilitate positive change in the world.”

Raikes will graduate from UofL in May 2022 with a triple major in English, French and political science. She is executive vice president of the UofL Student Government Association, member of the Engage Lead Serve Board and an intern for the . She is also involved in UofL’s raiseRED student fundraiser for pediatric cancer and blood disease research.

Fourteen UofL students have been Truman Scholars since 1977, the year the national program was launched. The last UofL student to win a Truman Scholar was in 2017.

Mr. Cardinal Kevin Jacob, a biology major from Louisville, is a Trustees Scholar, a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity and the director of programming for the Student Activities Board. In 2016, he created a new program called Cards Against Hunger. He has also volunteered with the Kids Center for Pediatric Therapies. Jacob is interested in pursuing a career in the medical field. 

“Just being at UofL, you have all these opportunities presented to you and I wanted to take advantage of every single thing that I could,” he said. 

Ms. Cardinal Alisha Davis-Kent, an industrial engineering major from Louisville, is a Porter Scholar, a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, the National Society of Black Engineers, the Student Activities Board and the National Pan-Hellenic Council. The first-generation college student has also spent time as a mentor for local children. 

“Both of my parents instilled in me the importance of education, not just coming to school and reading some books, but having the discipline to grow and develop yourself,” Davis-Kent said. “I believe UofL offers a warm space where you can be who you are and you can come in imperfect and write your own story. You have the support behind you to accomplish the things that you dreamed of since you were little and the things you could have never imagined that you would be able to accomplish.”

Check out more of their stories below: 

Judson Adams, a political science major, is Kentucky’s only Truman Scholar this year. This is the third year in a row that a UofL student has won Kentucky’s Truman Scholarship.

The announced the winners April 12. The prize recognizes college juniors with a record of outstanding leadership and community involvement who want to pursue careers in public service.

Adams plans to use his award to earn a law degree at Georgetown University and, afterward, to join the military’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps, or JAG Corps.

During his time at UofL, Adams has been active in the university’s Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) where he was promoted to flight commander. He also is an officer, director of communications, in the Student Government Association and a frequent volunteer.

“I am incredibly humbled, honored and proud to represent the state of Kentucky as well as the University of Louisville as I go forward in seizing the opportunities made available to me through the Truman Scholarship,” Adams said.

“I had a feeling that Jud’s genuine spirit, humility and dedication to military service would shine brightly during his interviews for the Truman Scholarship,” said Patricia Condon, who directs UofL’s Office of National and International Scholarship Opportunities. “He will certainly maximize the Truman Scholar experience.”

 Adams, a native of Rineyville, said he had several mentors at the university.

“Without a doubt, I would not have received this award without Dr. Patricia Condon whose continual advice and guidance made this possible,” Adams said.

He also noted that he was helped and inspired by other professors, administrators and fellow students, including , , , , , and .

Thirteen UofL students have been Truman Scholars since 1977, the year the national program was launched.