Wisconsin student named Rhodes scholar

EAU CLAIRE — A 21-year-old student at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire said he is speechless and humbled after being named a Rhodes scholar.

Tayo A. Sanders II of Neenah is among 32 U.S. men and women who have been named Rhodes scholars, the Rhodes Trust announced Sunday.

Sanders is a senior majoring in materials science at UW-Eau Claire and will graduate with a bachelor's degree in May. He has done extensive research, particularly in nanotechnology, the science of manipulating microscopic matter.

"I couldn't believe it," Sanders said Sunday about being named a Rhodes scholar. "I was just speechless, breathless, humbled."

Sanders is a triathlete and co-captain of a campus triathlon team. He said he didn't know how to swim, but was inspired by the 2012 Olympics to become a triathlete. He also is a salsa dancer, which he calls a great way to relax from his studies and meet people.

Sanders also is a mentor and leader of a program for minority students, and does community outreach for STEM — science, technology, engineering and math — careers.

Sanders will enter Oxford University in England next October. The winners were selected from 877 applicants endorsed by 305 different colleges and universities.