Rhodes scholar aims to act on lofty goals

Recently named Rhodes scholar Paolo Singer of Van Cortlandt Village is not only a brilliant student, but also an aspiring humanist with a vision of an economically more egalitarian world.

Mr. Singer, 22, spent his formative years living on Broadway across the street from Van Cortlandt Park. The Stuyvesant High School graduate,  currently a Harvard senior majoring in economics, was among 32 American students awarded a Rhodes Scholarship Nov. 22.

“I believe this opportunity comes with great responsibility to society,” said Mr. Singer. “My hope is what I learn and accomplish at Oxford will prepare me to become a better policymaker, economist and global citizen in the future.”

Cecil Rhodes established a trust for the Rhodes Scholarship as part of his will. The first scholarships were awarded in 1902 after his death. Mr. Rhodes, who earned his fortune in mining, was named the first chairman of De Beers in 1888. The firm once controlled 90 percent of the rough diamond trade.

The Rhodes scholarship provides 32 students from British territories and former British colonies, including the U.S., along with Germany an opportunity to study for up to three years at Mr. Rhodes’ alma mater, Oxford University. The scholarship was the first international study program and today is considered one of the most prestigious.

Mr. Singer said he is using the opportunity to study economics at Oxford to prepare to combat global poverty by using humane economic and policymaking strategies to address the rapidly growing disparity between the indigent and the wealthy throughout the world. “There is no natural rule that a few members of society should accumulate wealth at a breathtaking pace while others do not have the opportunity to afford basic necessities or attend schools,” he said.

Mr. Singer, one of 800 students who applied for a Rhodes scholarship, said the selection committee often looks for more than academic excellence.

“The committee is looking for people who push the boundary of one’s physical and intellectual limits, but I don’t think that’s enough,” said Mr. Singer. “They are also looking for compassion and empathic people, and perhaps I fit that description.”

Mr. Singer says his early experiences in his hometown city taught him the basics of street economics quickly.

“Growing up in New York I was very aware how wealth and neighborhood could limit one’s opportunities starting at a very young age. When you are living day to day, every single dollar you have gains enormous significance,” Mr. Singer said.  “It dictates whether you eat lunch that day or whether you can take the subway to visit a friend.”

Funded by a fellowship by Harvard’s South Asia Institute in 2011, Mr. Singer worked in the slums of Bangalore. 

Mr. Singer took the year before his senior year off to intern in Washington, D.C. with the National Economic Council in 2012. He worked with Gene Sperling, President Barack Obama’s economic advisor, and met the president at the end of his internship.

Mr. Singer said Mr. Obama passed on words of wisdom to the interns that he took to heart. “The advice that struck me was that when the going gets tough, remember what your purpose is and how much you have the chance to help others,” he said.

Mr. Singer, who is an accomplished figure skater and pianist who rowed crew at Harvard, said he was “pretty stunned” when he heard his name read as a scholarship winner.  “My family and classmates were thrilled,” he said.

Mr. Singer said the process included a formal dinner on Nov. 22 followed by interviews with committee judges. “The judges chose not to re-interview anyone and they emerged together and announced the two Rhodes scholars-elect to the group of applicants and mine was second,” he said. I remember freezing up for a few seconds. It happened so quickly, I hadn’t expected to hear my name.”