Posted on: Wednesday, November 26, 2003

EDITORIAL
Who says Hawai'i can't spawn scholars?

What do Bill Clinton, U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Souter and Iolani graduate Rick Malins have in common?

The answer is the Rhodes Scholarship, a prestigious award that brings 95 scholars, including 32 American students, to Oxford University each year.

British colonial pioneer and statesman Cecil John Rhodes, who died in 1902, left the greater part of his fortune to establish Rhodes scholarships.

Among the 2004 winners is Malins, a 21-year-old Boston University senior who graduates this May with degrees in chemistry and neuroscience, and is researching Alzheimer's disease.

But there's more to Malins than scientific curiosity. He has directed and acted in plays, tutored disadvantaged children and plays viola for the university orchestra.

Here's to an outstanding year at Oxford University, Rick. You've already made us proud.