Following the prestigious paths of former President Bill Clinton and current Supreme Court Justice David Souter, College of Arts and Sciences senior Richard Malins was one of only 32 Americans to be named Rhodes Scholars at Oxford University on Nov. 22.
‘I’m looking forward to the [British] culture and the new experience,’ said Malins, a Virgina native who now lives in Hawaii. ‘The competition comes down to luck everyone is very qualified.’
Recognized for his research on Alzheimer’s disease, Malins is the first Boston University student selected for the scholarship since 1999. Former College of Engineering student Jennifer Gruber won the scholarship as a senior that year for her work in aerospace engineering.
‘Hopefully [the award] will kill the senioritis,’ Malins joked. ‘I hope to still graduate and finish up with my degrees.’
Majoring in both chemistry and neuroscience, Malins said he already had his sights set on medical school before visiting a friend in London last spring. After enjoying his stay, Malins said he decided to apply for a Rhodes scholarship.
The award covers all educational expenses of attending Oxford for two years, including travel costs and a stipend for necessary expenses. The scholarships are sometimes renewed for a third year, and scholars can apply for additional research grants.
Though the scholarships’ values vary based on what field students pursue, the Rhodes Scholars website said they are worth about $30,000 per year.
While he is still adjusting to the onslaught of attention, Malins admitted his acceptance began to transform into somewhat of a tall tale.
‘The Boston Globe said I play the violin in the BU orchestra, but I actually play the viola and am not currently in the orchestra,’ he said.
Malins cited his medical research and his relaxed temperament throughout the interview process as the strongest factors in his selection.
Although his parents were happy, Malins said they did not initially understand the award’s significance. Nevertheless, family, friends and faculty have congratulated him.
Malins will also join the ranks of former BU President Jon Westling, who became a Rhodes Scholar after graduating from Reed College in Portland, Ore. Although the selection process is very difficult, Westling said selection committee members weigh their decisions carefully.
‘I’ve served on selection committees in three states [Idaho, New Hampshire and Massachusetts], and I know how seriously the committee members take their jobs and how carefully they assess candidates,’ he said in an email. ‘The real problem is that all the candidates are extremely well-qualified, so committees are necessarily forced to make very difficult decisions. I’m sure that many of those who apply and aren’t selected would do just as well and benefit just as much from the scholarship as those who are selected.’
Provost Dennis Berkey said BU is excited about Malins’ potential and has endorsed him from the beginning.
‘We give our institutional endorsement to our strongest applicants and work with them to prepare for the competition,’ Berkey said in an email. ‘We had high hopes for Rick and were delighted that they were realized. He is a truly outstanding and deserving young man.’
BU spokesman Colin Riley credited Malins’ unique abilities as much as the quality of education he has received at Boston University.
‘It speaks as much to the individual as it does to the institution,’ Riley said. ‘It’s really an incredible award.’
With Harvard University producing four scholars, Boston College gaining recognition for the first time with two scholars and Wellesley College and BU each producing one scholar this year, Riley said the selections reflect on the scholars’ respective academic institutions.
‘It says a lot about higher education in New England,’ he said.
Established in 1902 by the will of British philanthropist and colonial pioneer Cecil Rhodes, the Rhodes scholarships remain the oldest international scholarships available to American students, according to the award’s website. Scholars were chosen from 963 applicants endorsed by 366 colleges.
Approximately 95 scholarships are awarded to students worldwide every year. Besides an outstanding academic record, scholars are accepted based on personal integrity, leadership potential and even ‘physical vigor,’ according to the website.
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