Swimmer Jordan Anderson has been awarded one of 32 Rhodes Scholarships, the first Auburn student to get the honor since 1980.

The senior, who will graduate in May 2010, will go to the University of Oxford in England to enroll in a master's degree program in global health science in an effort to gain an understanding of health conditions in third-world countries.

“This is a huge honor and goes without any kind of question that I’m extremely happy,” Anderson said. “It is something I am very proud of. I would not have made it this far without the help of the Auburn education I’ve received and the great and influential people at this university that have helped me obtain this level of maturity.”

The Rhodes Scholarship was created in 1902 at the request of Cecil Rhodes and is the oldest international fellowship. It is given to students who possess high academic attainments, personal integrity and high-moral character, leadership and the ability to use one’s talents to the fullest.

Anderson is the fourth Auburn student to earn the scholarship, joining Hugh Long (1949), Ed Gentles (1975) and Susan Karamanian (1980).

Anderson, a Roanoke, Va., native, enters his senior year as a returning All-American. He is a two-time SEC runner-up in the 100-meter fly and was a finalist in the event at the 2009 U.S. Senior National Championship, finishing sixth.

He is a two-time SEC Academic Honor Roll member. He currently has 3.91 GPA and is majoring in pre-dentistry.

“I am so happy for Jordan,” head swimming and diving coach Brett Hawke said. “This is an amazing accomplishment and I’m very proud to have him as the team captain and leader in the classroom and in the pool. He is a fantastic kid and is very deserving.”