Rhodes Scholarship

I’m excited to be named a Rhodes Scholar for 2012. My time in the UK will prove a fantastic opportunity to pursue my interest in the nexus of economics and policy, both in the classroom and out.  My training in mathematics and economics at Princeton–together with my experiences from the Mitchell Scholarship in Ireland, from study abroad in Singapore, and from volunteering in Ghana–will inform my perspective in studying the economic policy of Britain and Europe.

I want to thank my fantastic professors at Princeton, Purdue, the National University of Ireland, and the National University of Singapore, together with my formative teachers in West Lafayette, my family, and friends, all of whom pushed me harder and further.

Official biography from the Rhodes Scholarship:

Mohit Agrawal, West Lafayette, received his B.A. in mathematics at Princeton last year and is currently doing a master’s degree in economic policy evaluation at the National University of Ireland. Elected early to Phi Beta Kappa and the winner of a Mitchell Scholarship, he was co-president of Engineers Without Borders and proposed the Ghana School Library Initiative to construct a library in Ashaiman, Ghana. Mohit also spent a semester at the National University of Singapore and developed tools for anti-cryptology systems for the National Security Agency. He plans to do the D.Phil. in financial economics at Oxford.

And if this were the inside flap of a hardback book, this would be the “advance praise” section:

Vinayak Venkataraman ’11, Princeton:

Over the past four years, I have seen Mohit’s diligence, intelligence, and passion first-hand. I have known him to buck conventional wisdom and argue for radical new ideas, especially in education policy and American politics. Whether he was speaking at an informal Sunday brunch conversation or a high-level policy seminar, Mohit always comes armed with facts and a tenacious spirit. I have also known Mohit to be one of the most helpful and caring people I have met at Princeton, never hesitating to help his friends if they asked for his assistance.

Dean David Stirk, Butler College, Princeton:

In Mohit’s case, the Rhodes is an honor richly deserved. His work is at the cutting edge of hugely important economic and social issues, and he has always approached his work from a mature and globalized perspective, infused with a sense of social justice. He’ll be a fantastic ambassador for Princeton and for the U.S. He was very active in the Butler community during his time here, and he has a lot of people proud of him right now.

Professor Stephen Morris, economics, Princeton:

From early on in his time at Princeton, Mohit Agrawal showed the unusual combination of top mathematical abilities, a deep interest in public policy issues and a mature understanding of how mathematical tools can be used to do social science and how social science can be used to improve policy. Mohit’s all round profile of talents and interests make him an ideal Rhodes scholar and I am delighted that the committee has recognized this.

Dr. Thomas Leonard, economics, Princeton:

[Mohit is a] natural for the study of advanced economics at Oxford and beyond, precisely because his intellectual breadth in adjoining fields, unusual for a person of his age, enables him to put technique in the interdisciplinary perspective required for effective and humane policymaking.

Prof. John McHale, economics, NUI Galway:

We were very pleased that Mohit chose the economic policy evaluation programme at NUI Galway for his Mitchell Scholarship. Mohit has been a wonderful addition to the economics discipline at this University where he has helped countless undergraduate students as a tutor for one of our main undergraduate courses as well as contributing in lectures and seminars. I have no doubt that Mohit will do extraordinary well in his future career and I am especially pleased that Mohit had decided to focus his career on economics with a special emphasis on economic policy.

NUI Galway President Jim Browne [see here]

Brian Fultz, West Lafayette history teacher:

I had to up my game because he would question, not in a disrespectful way, but … he wanted to see how things connected to other things, was there a pattern … He was a brilliant kid who could ace all our tests and do well on everything he was given. It was interesting to see him go from not only learning all this material but learning what to do with it.

I was telling my seventh-graders, that he was sitting right here in your seat and he worked hard and challenged himself … Hopefully it sends the message out that public education still works.

Marshall Overley, West Lafayette biology teacher:

Mohit was one of the few students who had long enough titles on his tables and lab reports from the very beginning. I’m very proud of him.

Listen to Sen. Lugar’s congratulatory message [1 min audio]. I had the privilege of meeting Sen. Lugar last year to talk about public service and the Rhodes Scholarship. See this post.

Quick media roundup:

• Daily Princetonian
• Princeton University News
• NUI Galway News
• University Press Club
• Associated Press
• India Abroad [article PDF]
• Lafayette Journal & Courier [article PDF] [front page PDF]
• WLFI
• India West [article PDF]
• West Lafayette High School Scarlette

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