Cadet sets sights on China with Schwarzman Scholarship

By Maureen Welch, Dec. 5, 2017

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — An Air Force Academy cadet earned an international scholarship to study in China next year.

Cadet 1st Class Benjamin Hook will study global affairs at Beijing’s Tsinghua University, courtesy of the Schwarzman scholarship.

“Having taken two years of Mandarin language study at the Academy, I look forward to experiencing Chinese culture and language firsthand,” he said.

Hook received the scholarship Dec. 4, the day he was also selected to attend pilot training after graduating in May. He’s the first cadet to receive the scholarship.

“It’s remarkable to meet two long term goals on the same day,” he said.

At the Academy, Hook was a mainstay on the Dean’s and Superintendent’s lists, recognizing cadets for their academic, athletic and military performance.

Helen Meisenhelder, the Academy’s Graduate Studies Program director, said the Schwarzman scholarship promotes international relationships and was inspired by prestigious the Rhodes scholarship.

Schwarzman officials selected 142 scholars this year from more than 4,000 applicants from 39 countries and 97 universities. Forty-one percent of applicants are U.S. citizens and 20 percent are Chinese. The scholarship’s curriculum educates students about leadership and China’s expanding role in the world, according to Stephen Schwarzman, scholarship chairman, CEO and co-founder.