Naval aviator William R. Kelly, who is getting his master’s degree at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, is flying high after being selected as one of this year’s 85 Rhodes Scholars. But the selection committee passed over College undergraduates for only the second time in 75 years.

Kelly, a 2005 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, said he feels fortunate to have received the award, especially considering the caliber of his competition.

“The other candidates were phenomenal,” Kelly said. “You almost go into it thinking you are going to lose because everyone is so amazing. I am really happy.”

Recipients of the Rhodes Scholarships receive full funding to attend the University of Oxford in England for two or three years. Scholars are selected on the basis of high academic achievement, integrity of character, a spirit of unselfishness, respect for others, potential for leadership, and physical vigor, according to the Rhodes Trust, which administers the award.

According to Kelly, the applicants go through a rigorous application process that includes a 1,000-word personal statement, an endorsement from a college or universty—Kelly’s was from the Naval Academy, not Harvard—eight letters of recommendation, and two rounds of interviews. According to the press release, this year’s 32 American Rhodes Scholars were selected from a pool of 903 nominees representing 333 different universities.

Kelly, a 23-year-old New York City native, said he was asked several questions about his interest in international relations during his interview. In one question, Kelly said he was asked to take on the role of a presidential adviser and describe the strengths and weaknesses of several different scenarios regarding illegal immigration. The interview questions were designed to be thought-provoking, he said.

“The gist of the questions was not to see what you knew, but more how you think and your value system,” Kelly said. “They know you are smart, they know you are an expert in a field, they know you are passionate, but they want you to step outside of your experiences to see how you think.”

Although Kelly also received the Truman Scholarship in 2004—a prestigious public-service fellowship awarded to college juniors—the news of the Rhodes still came as surprise to his family, he said.

“[My family] didn’t even believe me at first. I called my mom as she was walking down Madison Avenue and she started screaming,” said Kelly.

His mother, Marie Kelly, said she is proud of her son’s accomplishments.

“Will is truly a wonderful young person. He is very caring,” she said. “And he really devoted himself to the service.”

Since the program began in the United States, in 1947, 318 Harvard students have won scholarships, according to the Harvard University Gazette.

Kelly is the only Harvard affiliate to win the scholarship this year—an anomalously low Harvard representation. The University normally averages five to six Rhodes Scholars per year, according to Currier House Fellowships Tutor Scott A. Sowerby. Six Harvard students received the honor in 2004.

“I do think that is unusual. I can’t think of any reason why this would happen,” Sowerby said.

Kelly said he is not worried about Harvard’s ability to endorse winners.

“I am sure Harvard will go back to having a high number of Rhodes Scholars next year,” he said.

Kelly said he will spend one year pursuing a Masters of Science in international relations theory and research at Oxford. Afterward, he said, he plans to return to the Navy to continue flight school, followed by eight years of active duty.

“I plan to make a career out of military service,” he said.

Kelly said he will benefit from the international perspective he will gain as a Rhodes Scholar. He added that he has enjoyed his time at Harvard and would like to return to the Kennedy School one day.

“He absolutely loves Harvard,” his mother said. “The opportunity for him to study at Harvard and now at Oxford is just amazing. You can’t ask for a better group of people to be associated with.”