Bruni and Rhodes

For years, when I told people I attended the Royal Military College of Canada, far too many otherwise intelligent Canadians would ask me if that was a university. I had to work hard to keep my jaw from dropping to my chest. Given the entry requirements as well as the rigors of the school itself, which extend far, far beyond the academic, to say that was a frustrating question is a gross understatement.

So I hope you'll pardon me a little bit of bragging on my alma mater, courtesy of Ian Elliot of the Kingston Whig-Standard:

A Royal Military College student has won one of the world's most prestigious scholarships.

Gino Bruni, a 2008 graduate, will be named a Rhodes Scholar on Saturday, becoming just the 12th RMC ex-cadet to win one of the scholarships and the first from the school in more than 20 years.

...

Bruni, a native of Calgary, went through RMC as a member of the Reserve Entry officer program, meaning he graduated as a qualified officer in the reserves but is not obligated to serve a certain number of years in the regular force as are the majority of graduating cadets.

He got his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering and then stayed at RMC for his master's in nuclear engineering, in no small part because RMC is one of the few universities in the country with an onsite Slowpoke nuclear reactor for research.

Upon his graduation in 2008, Bruni won a slew of academic and military awards, including the Military Support Award of Merit, and he maintained his high standards in post-graduate work with an A-plus average in his nuclear engineering studies.

"I think it's an incredible honour, and I'm a little surprised that more RMC students don't become Rhodes Scholars, because the four pillars of RMC [academics, athletics, bilingualism and military training] seem to mirror the qualifications set out by Cecil Rhodes," said Bruni.

...

Only 80 Rhodes scholars are named each year from around the world, and the application process is rigorous, taking in not just a student's academic achievements but athletic and community involvement as well as character.

BZ to Gino Bruni...Gimme a BEER!