Trent University is proud to share that fourth-year economics and business administration student, David Geraldo Frazer, was named one of six finalists for the coveted Commonwealth Caribbean constituency of the Rhodes scholarship this fall.

“Who really thinks of their self as a Rhodes Scholar?” Mr. Frazer says, expressing a little disbelief at his successful application for the prestigious scholarship. In September, Mr. Frazer completed the comprehensive Rhodes scholarship application, including a 1500-word personal statement, academic transcript and six reference letters. He was surprised and ecstatic to be announced as a finalist. During his experience he engaged with previous Rhodes scholars, the governor general of Barbados, and many notable intellectuals, including Sir Ronald Sanders, former senior Caribbean ambassador and famous international consultant and writer.

In November, Mr. Frazer travelled to Barbados with three other finalists to formally interview for the coveted prize, which covers all university and college fees at University of Oxford, a personal stipend and airfare. It is one of the most recognized and prestigious international post-graduate scholarship programs of its kind, and recognizes exceptional and well-rounded academics.

“All of the finalists are great people, and very normal people,” Mr. Frazer says reflecting on his five-day stay in Barbados. “But once I started conversing with them I realized how special they are. They are very intelligent and passionate individuals. Our passionate nature is what we have in common.”

When Cecil Rhodes created the scholarship in his name, he intended it to be awarded to individuals who were committed to engaging in their community. The editor-in-chief of the Journal of Undergraduate Studies at Trent, finance coordinator for the World Affairs Colloquium, co-host of the Trent Radio show Convergence and founder of the Trent Prevention Initiative, Mr. Frazer is an outstanding role model and self proclaimed activist, passionate about engaging with issues affecting his homeland, the Bahamas.

Since 2007, Mr. Frazer has led an HIV/AIDS prevention organization in Bahamas, raising $11,000 to date and spending his summers organizing a group of up to 60 volunteers in raising prevention awareness. In January his first book, In the Red: the Culture of Aids in the Bahamas, will be published. A comprehensive study of the relationship between culture and HIV, Mr. Frazer says he wrote the book because he recognized a void in the discussion about how culture contributes to the HIV transmission. He spent the summer of 2010 in Washington, DC, as an intern with the Embassy of Bahamas, writing a paper on energy, security and supply in the Caribbean Basin for an annual Caribbean conference, and plans to continue initiating change after completing his education in the area of international relations.

“I get a real sense of pleasure being on the ground and talking to people through my activism work,” he says. “I want to combine my research interests with activism work – activism works best when it’s informed by research. You are always most effective when you are on the ground, engaging,” he adds, which is why he plans on returning to Bahamas after completing a post-graduate degree studying public health policy and international relations. “The Caribbean faces a number of health issues; it is in crisis,” he says, “many educated Caribbean people emigrate, leaving a relatively under-educated and unqualified population behind. Being there, as a voice for the marginalized, is how I want to affect change.” This passionately self-motivated commitment to making a difference is the reason why Mr. Frazer was selected as a finalist for the Rhodes scholarship.

Mr. Frazer decided to study at Trent University because it allowed him the opportunity to explore various disciplines. Instead of a narrowly focused economics or business administration degree, he has had the luxury of designing a degree that reflects his own interests, exploring subjects like politics and international development. “I’ve been very fortunate at Trent,” he says, “I’m blessed to have chosen it for my undergraduate degree. If you demonstrate interest and engage in the classroom, Trent professors really invest their time in you. I’ve been a real benefactor of this,” he continues, “and have developed professional and personal relationships with professors. I know many of these people will be important in my life after I leave Trent.”

He makes special mention of the support of the Trent International Program and Dr. Mike Alcott who took time to help Mr. Frazer prepare for his interview for the scholarship. “TIP is very good at making students feel comfortable. I’ve never felt alone here, even though I’m away from home.”

Andrew Mayne, David’s roommate and friend says, “I must say that what I observed in the last year would be grossly understated as solely preparation for an interview. I witnessed David become connected with the leading minds interested in the social and economic well being of the Caribbean all the while fending off critics and over coming obstacles. The most remarkable part of the process was the transformative effect upon his life. All in all it provided a consistently daunting challenge which allowed David to surpass himself as an exceptional undergraduate coming to embody the resourcefulness and insight of a scholar. Regardless of the outcome, the mark upon my good friends life is unmistakably permanent, with the wealth of connections he's made its no small wonder how David managed to come this far.”

The 2011 Jamaica and Commonwealth Caribbean constituency Rhodes scholarship recipient is Dr. Luke Foster of Jamaica, a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery. Mr. Frazer is not disappointed he did not win the scholarship this year – he is considering applying again – because of the enormity of the experience. “I met so many incredible people,” he says, “the entire process in Barbados is a magical experience I will never forget.

“I want Trent students to know they should not be intimidated by this scholarship,” Mr. Frazer adds, “There is so much potential at Trent, many excellent students who are engaged in their community. We are good candidates because, like Trent students, A Rhodes scholar is someone who wants to make a world of difference.”