Wonnenberg Princeton bound

It not only takes the academic merits, but the characteristics of someone who has the ambition to succeed to get into an Ivy League school.

Isaiah Wonnenberg, a junior from Gregory has displayed both these qualities in his three years at the University of South Dakota, so it was no surprise to his family, friends and professors when he was received the Public Policy International Affairs Fellowship to the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton for the summer.

As a nationwide, highly competitive fellowship, the PPIA is one to be proud of, said William Richardson, chair of the Political Science Department.

Richardson, one of Wonnenberg’s past professors, said Wonnnberg stuck out in his class.

“He is very bright, independent, not afraid to express his opinion and quite thoughtful,” Richardson said.

The fellowship will take place this June and is an intensive program, but that doesn’t stop Wonnenberg, he said.

“When I graduate from USD, I will be going to graduate school and receive a $5000 scholarship,” Wonnenberg said. “My goal is to get into the Princeton Woodrow Wilson School, which is one of the competitive ones to get in to.”

The fellowship consists of a two month program of political science work and includes transportation, the price of the classes and food. Wonnenberg will fly to Princeton for about six weeks starting in the middle of June.

Wonnenberg has had a lot of academic experience in political science, but his past experience has shaped who he is today, he said.

“He is a very impressive young man,” Richardson said. “He is our poster boy for ‘you can go anywhere from USD.'”

Wonnenberg grew up with pastors for parents. When he was six years old he moved to Mozambique, Africa with his parents to work, which he said shaped his maturity.

Although he was young, Wonnenberg still remembers everything from living there — the good and the bad.

“It was all around an interesting experience living there. I endured racism and had malaria seven times,” Wonnenberg said.

Through his global experiences Wonnenberg was able to decide what he wanted for a career, and he knew exactly how to get it.

One of Wonnenberg’s current professors, Associate Professor Eric Jepsen said Wonnenberg was a good candidate for the award.

“This fellowship is well-deserved. His professional experience has made him a well-rounded student and he is always willing to challenge himself,” Jepsen said.

Photo: Junior Isaiah Wonnenberg and friends stand in front of a sand sculpture in Taiwan. Wonnenberg received the Public Policy International Affairs Fellowship to the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University for this summer. (Submitted Photo)