Two outstanding Kiwi students receive Robertson Scholarships to Duke University

Two New Zealand students with a strong desire to effect positive change in the world have won scholarships to the prestigious Duke University in the United States.

Wanganui’s James Penn, currently a student at The University of Auckland, and Wellington’s Andrew Tan-Delli Cicchi, each received a Robertson Scholarship worth $100,000 a year, funded by New York philanthropist Julian Robertson.

James Penn, 18, has a personal vision to engage in areas of economic policy-making and analysis, and he hopes to leave a legacy that improves the outlook for New Zealand and New Zealanders. Receiving a Robertson Scholarship to study at Duke University is a firm step in this direction.

“I am an ambitious person and I have a desire to study at the best possible university. In addition to the outstanding lecturers and resources, studying at Duke University will place me alongside similarly ambitious students from whom I can learn a huge amount,” says James.

While James envisions a future career in investment banking or consultancy, he also has long term ambitions to enter the public sector with a view “to create a more equitable New Zealand for future generations”. He holds an interest in the economics of sports, which he says fascinates him.

“In New Zealand it seems our predominant sport, rugby union, is lagging behind other professional sports such as baseball in the US, or football in the United Kingdom in terms of economic analysis of both game-play and transfer markets. I look forward to exploring this concept further in future years.”

James boasts an impressive portfolio of achievements from academic and sporting, to cultural and community interests; he gained NZQA Outstanding Scholarship in Economics, and Scholarship in Geography and Probability & Statistics, was the New Zealand Secondary School Debating Team captain competing in the World Schools Debating Championships 2011 – 2013, and placed fifth in The University of Auckland NZ Economics Competition. Deputy Head Boy and Dux at Wanganui High School in 2012, he was also a member of their First XI football team and contributes as a fortnightly columnist to the Wanganui Chronicle.

James is currently studying for a B Com/ LLB at The University of Auckland, and leaves later this year to study for an undergraduate degree at The Trinity College of Arts and Sciences at Duke University. He hopes to major in Economics and Political Studies, with a certificate in Philosophy, Politics and Economics.

From an early age Andrew Tan-Delli Cicchi experienced a wide range of countries and cultures, and this has fed his desire to make a difference in the world.

“Since the age of five I’ve been fortunate to live in different parts of Asia. I saw beauty in the traditions and histories of these countries, but was also struck by the ugliness of inequality and social injustice. An experience leading Wellington College’s involvement with the local Soup Kitchen gave me first-hand knowledge of the less visible poverty here in New Zealand.

“My goal is to work in third world countries to develop basic education strategies that are not only efficient but cost-effective and available to all. I believe that creating education systems is the bedrock for progression,” says Andrew.

The prospect of studying at Duke University opens up a raft of opportunities to tailor his study towards focused outcomes.
“My plans are to study Program II at Duke, which is an interdisciplinary, design-your-own major. I love the opportunities that Duke presents to gain a well-grounded, multi-faceted education in a number of disciplines. I plan to investigate and compare the influence of education systems in third world countries and developed countries, taking papers in sociology, psychology and economics,” he says.

Andrew is New Zealand’s Top Subject Scholar for Media Studies. He gained NCEA Level 3 subjects Endorsed with Excellence, was awarded Proxime Accessit (Runner up to Dux) and received the JP Firth Scholarship. Andrew is described as an “awe-inspiring young leader who is utterly unassuming and yet incredibly influential.” As a Wellington College Prefect he established a service to the local Home of Compassion where students serve breakfast weekly. He was a member of the Wellington College 1st XI football team and exercised his outstanding leadership skills in the International Students Association as President, The Envirogroup, coaching football and as a student mentor.

Julian Robertson, who spends part of each year in New Zealand, and his late wife Josie established the Robertson Programme in 2000 with a $US24 million gift.

Up to three Robertson Scholarships, covering free tuition and board and a living allowance for up to four years, are offered annually in New Zealand, two in Australia, one in Sweden and 24 in the United States. Selection is based on academic ability, leadership potential, commitment to community service, courage, collaborative spirit and a strongly ethical outlook.

The Robertson Scholars Programme in New Zealand is administered by Universities New Zealand — Te Pōkai Tara. More information on the scholarship can be found at www.universitiesnz.ac.nz