Zachary Petroni (BA '13) is one month into his study of the relationship between conservation governance and human rights in Kenya. Petroni was interviewed by the Michigan Daily about his experience so far and his overall objectives.
Petroni is the inaugural winner of the Wallenberg fellowship, which grants $25,000 to a graduating senior each year to pursue an independent learning or exploration project anywhere in the world. The fellowship was established in 2012 to commemorate the work of University alum Raoul Wallenberg's, who helped coordinate the rescue of tens of thousands of Jews in Budapest during World War II. Petroni continues to look to Wallenberg as inspiration during his research, stating:
"Having had some time to reflect and learn more about who and what Raoul Wallenberg was — a man who reveled in experiencing and understanding the 'other,' and demonstrated that the capacity for great good lies within compassion, tenacity, and a willingness to engage in outside-of-the-box thought and action – I have come to see the award as a challenge to live my life in the service of others, and an opportunity to pursue experiences that will aid in this effort, whether now or in the future."
Recent BA graduate begins research in Kenya as inaugural Wallenberg Fellow
September 22, 2013