On March 12, Peter J. Marzalik, an alumnus of The Ohio State University, was awarded a 2014 Wolcott Fellowship following a highly competitive nationwide contest. The Wolcott Fellowship, funded by the Wolcott Foundation and managed by the Masonic organization High Twelve International, encourages young scholars with outstanding academic, civic, and social credenials to pursue public service careers.
Peter J. Marzalik is a Chicago native and son to Kevin and Penny Marzalik. He is a 2013 graduate of The Ohio State University where he completed a dual degree program in International Studies, focused on Security and Intelligence, and Russian. Advised by Dr. Jeffrey Lewis, his senior honors thesis examines the trends of Islamic radicalization and ethnic nationalism in southwest Russia following the Kazan terrorist attacks. In 2012, Peter was awarded a Critical Language Scholarship to study abroad in Ufa, Russia as well as a Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship for the 2012-2013 academic year. He has interned at the Columbus International Program and Hudson Institute in Washington, D.C. He is also co-founder of the Security & Intelligence Club and member of Sigma Iota Rho, Honor Society for International Studies.
The Wolcott Fellowship will provide Peter with approximately $60,000 in benefits over a two year period to pursue a master's degree in Security Policy Studies at George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs. Upon graduation, Peter will be employed for at least four years in government service (federal, state, or local level), in international affairs, or in selected international business in the private sector. About the Wolcott Fellowship Wolcott Foundation Fellowships for Master's Degree studies are awarded to US citizens who have not previously earned an advanced degree and are attending or applying to George Washington University's School of Business, the Elliott School of International Affairs, or the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration. While the Foundation seeks to support full-time students, students working full-time for government or related activities may enroll for six semester hours in the fall and spring semesters. These awards are designed to encourage young scholars (age 30 or younger) with outstanding academic, civic, and social credentials to pursue public service careers. The maximum Wolcott Fellowship covers tuition and fees for 40 credit hours. The award is to be considered a grant (not to be repaid) if upon graduation the recipient is employed for four years in government services (federal, state, or local level), in international affairs, or in selected international business in the private sector. Fellowship recipients may also request a relocation loan of up to $1,800. Relocation loans are awarded on the basis of need and must be repaid upon graduation.