Mercedes “Sadie” Bengs, a senior at the University of Georgia, has been chosen as one of 54 undergraduates from 49 institutions nationwide to receive the esteemed 2025 Truman Scholarship. This annual accolade honors students showcasing both academic achievement and leadership potential alongside a dedication to pursuing careers in public service or the nonprofit domain.
Hailing from Aberdeen, South Dakota, Bengs is majoring in international affairs at the School of Public and International Affairs, alongside studying Russian at the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. Furthermore, she is a cadet in UGA’s Air Force ROTC program, a participant in the Russian Flagship Program, and a Fellow of the Russell Security Leadership Program.
Upon her commissioning into the Air Force, Bengs will uphold a family tradition as the fourth generation of her family to serve in the military; her father retired as a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force. Presently, she holds the position of mission support group commander within the Air Force ROTC.
The Truman Scholarship offers financial support for graduate studies and provides a range of opportunities for internships, training, and fellowships. This year, the Truman Scholars were chosen from a pool of 743 applicants nominated by 288 colleges and universities.
Mercedes “Sadie” Bengs
“The University of Georgia extends its heartfelt congratulations to Sadie for this remarkable accomplishment,” stated President Jere W. Morehead. “Sadie’s designation as UGA’s 23rd Truman Scholar underscores not only our students’ talent and commitment but also the dedication of our faculty in delivering exceptional educational experiences.”
Bengs is set to graduate from UGA in 2026 after an overseas study in Almaty, Kazakhstan, where she will finalize her capstone year for the Russian Flagship Program. Subsequently, she aims to pursue a master’s degree concentrating on Russian, East European, and Eurasian studies. She intends to further her research on the application of artificial intelligence in conflict, viewed through the lenses of both international policy and technology advancement. Her ambition is to comprehend AI and its applications to facilitate better regulation.
With a master’s degree in Russian studies, Bengs will be eligible to serve as a foreign area officer upon reaching the rank of captain in the Air Force. Following further training, she hopes to represent the Air Force at an embassy, aiding U.S. diplomatic initiatives and fostering cross-cultural ties.
“Sadie’s dedication to her nation is evident in the way she has equipped herself to be a leader in public service,” remarked Meg Amstutz, dean of the Morehead Honors College. “The Truman Scholarship is a significant recognition of her efforts, from her language proficiency to her involvement in the Russian Flagship and Security Leadership programs.”
Bengs investigates national security topics as a Fellow in the Security Leadership Program, composes articles concerning Belarussian news for the Russian Flagship’s ARCS — Areas Where Russian is Commonly Spoken — project, and assists fellow students in enhancing their Russian language acquisition through the UGA Russian Club.
Her passions for lethal autonomous weapon systems and Russia’s deployment of artificial intelligence against civilians have garnered her research grants from both the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the UGA Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities. Additionally, she is an active member of Phi Beta Kappa, previously served as the commander of the UGA Valor Honor Guard, and worked to improve retention and community impact as vice president of Silver Wings, a collaborative civilian and Air Force ROTC service organization.
During summer 2024, Bengs served as the business manager at Waldsee, Concordia’s German Language Village dedicated to cultural and linguistic immersion. While studying abroad at the Baltic Center for Educational and Academic Development in Latvia during summer 2023, she researched remote warfare in Ukraine as an intern for the Latvian Institute of International Affairs. In 2022, she was chosen as one of three UGA students to participate in the Flagship Hackathon and subsequently serve as a Flagship Tech Ambassador the following year.
In April, Bengs was selected for the 2025 Iris Burton Bulls Fellowship, a program aimed at mentoring and supporting future military leaders in their professional development.
Established by Congress in 1975 as the living tribute to President Harry S. Truman and a national symbol of public service, the Truman Scholarship empowers and encourages the forthcoming generation of public service leaders. For more details, visit https://www.truman.gov/.
UGA’s Major Scholarships Office, located within the Morehead Honors College, assists students across campus in their applications for national, high-level scholarships. For further information, please reach out to Jessica Hunt at [email protected] or visit https://honors.uga.edu/scholarships/external-scholarships/.
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