Aide to Florida Gov. Bush named Rhodes Scholar
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Garrett W. Johnson, a part-time aide to Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and a college track star, was among 32 students selected Sunday as Rhodes Scholars for 2006.
A collegiate shot putter and discus thrower, Johnson becomes Florida State's first Rhodes Scholar in more than three decades. He was runner-up in the Atlantic Coast Conference meet in his two field events in the spring, finishing 16th in the NCAA finals in the shot put and 13th in the discus.
Johnson, who was redshirted with a medical hardship in 2004 when stricken with life-threatening blood clots, holds the Florida State indoor and outdoor records in the shot.
He's now a graduate student working in the governor's legislative affairs office, where he is a special assistant to the Haiti advisory team.
"He is a true public servant," Bush spokeswoman Deena Reppen said. "He's always seeking ways to give back to the community and the less fortunate."
Winners are selected based on academic achievement, personal integrity, leadership potential and physical vigor.
Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press
