FARGO, N.D. (AP) - Ryan Thoreson's mother says the family is still absorbing the news that he is one of 32 people in the country chosen as Rhodes scholars for 2007.

The Harvard University student got the news late Saturday afternoon after he and 15 other regional finalists interviewed for the honor.

"All along, he kept saying it's really an honor just to be a finalist," his mother, Sue Thoreson, said.

Ryan Thoreson, 22, will use the scholarship to study social anthropology for two years at Oxford University in England beginning next October.

Thoreson majors in government and women, gender and sexuality studies. He is co-chairman of the Harvard Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Transgender and Supporter Alliance as well as a playwright and nationally ranked debater.

Sue Thoreson thinks her son's social consciousness is what set him apart from the other candidates.

"They're looking for kids who look like they'll give back to society once they finish their education," she said. "Ryan will actually do it."

Thoreson wants to work with international human rights and humanitarian law, specializing in gay and lesbian civil rights. After studying at Oxford, he plans to attend law school.

Fargo Shanley teacher Cathy Schwinden, who had Thoreson in class every day for four years, said she was thrilled to hear the news of his scholarship.

"He's just a wonderful young man," Schwinden said.

Thoreson had an internship with the International Lesbian and Gay Association in Brussels last summer,then went to South Africa to interview people for his thesis on the response to AIDS.

He also interned for MTV and wrote for a Let's Go travel guide on a region of Italy.

Thoreson and Fargo native Marie Strinden wrote the one-woman play, "Fargo: A (Mostly) True Story," that premiered at Fargo's Main Avenue Theater earlier this year.

In 2003, Thoreson was recognized with a Fargo Human Relations Award for his work on human rights issues.

Thoreson was in Fargo just long enough Sunday to catch a movie with his father and brother, before flying out early Monday to get back to Harvard in time for class.

"I'm sure they'd forgive him, but he doesn't want to miss any school," his mother said.