2024-Matwos Tadesse

 

Matwos Tadesse

Major: International Affairs

Second Major: Government & Law

Minor: Economics

GPA: 3.73

THESIS TOPIC

 “Ethnic Identity on Fuel: Dissecting the Effects of Ethnic Federalism in Ethiopia”

PERSONAL STATEMENT

The Pepper Prize is the pinnacle of distinction; watching my peers gain this honor over the last three years has filled me with joy and pride, and I must admit, it sparked a personal desire for it. However, my reflections over the previous two years have caused me to rethink the essence of Lafayette’s Ideal. Engaging with several aspects of campus life – administration, students, faculty, staff, and trustees – has resulted in a significant reevaluation. Instead of focusing on whether Lafayette has an ideal student, I’ve moved my attention to whether we collectively shaped Lafayette into the ideal institution.

While I could reflect on all of the personal and group efforts I’ve made to improve the student experience as well as my academic and personal career, I don’t believe that the ideal Lafayette student is one who counts their accomplishments and tries to persuade others that they deserve this honor, even though everyone’s accomplishments are important. Nonetheless, I want this to be an honest portrayal of my experiences.
I am uncertain that the tireless efforts that I, with peers and many faculty and administrators, have led pushed the institution in the direction desired by students, faculty, staff, and administration. Tireless efforts do not guarantee transformative results. For the past year, I’ve had a nagging doubt: have my efforts truly moved Lafayette in the right direction? The answer may be yes for some and no for others, but one thing I am certain about is that the potential change that was possible was greatly hindered.

This reflection is not intended to be sad or to apportion blame. Students, faculty, staff, and administrators have been my home and family for the past four years. They have been there for me through personal challenges. I am truly grateful for the constant support and love everyone has given me. However, honesty compels me to admit that we may not have ushered the institution into the transformative path we aspired to witness. This does not result from a lack of effort. Instead, it stems from an institutional reluctance to break from past patterns. The key is to recognize what we all know: that clinging to tradition will not erase history or provide a route for progress. The need for change involves a departure from the familiar, and I am optimistic that the underclass experience will be far better than mine.

ACADEMIC ACTIVITY/AWARD

National Conference on Undergraduate Research Jeff-Ubben Fellowship

The Jeff Ubben Posse Fellows Program awards five exceptional Posse Scholars $10,000 each and the chance to spend up to six weeks shadowing and learning from a major industry leader during the summer. In 2022, I was selected as one of the five students to shadow and interview David Solomon, Goldman Sachs Chairman and CEO. I was the second student from Lafayette College to receive this fellowship.

Senior Thesis

Writing a joint senior thesis for government, law, and international affairs departments. Particularly focusing on the ramifications of the ethnic federalist
political model application in Ethiopia

Hatfield Award for Global Scholarship

Selected as one of the two recipients of the annual award given to a junior or senior majoring in International Affairs based on overall excellence in international or global scholarship and global citizenship, selected by the International Affairs Advisory Committee.

National Conference on Undergraduate Research

My thesis research was accepted to be presented at the National Conference for Undergraduate Research in California.

Goldman Sachs

Interned for two summers in investment banking and asset and wealth management.

Emerson Collective

Interned for the immigration team of Emerson Collective doing immigration policy and data analysis.

Alpha Alpha Alpha

Member of the Alpha Alpha Alpha National Honor Society for First-Generation College Students.

Signa Lota Rho

Member of the Signa Lota Rho National Honor Society for International Studies, recognized by the International Studies Association.

CAMPUS SERVICE ACTIVITY/AWARD

Student Government

Served as President of the student body (2022-2023), budget committee member (2023-2024), and DEI chair (2021-2022)

Association of Black Collegians

President (2022-2023), executive board member (2021-2022), and student advisor (2023-2024)

Brothers of Lafayette

Served in multiple roles by initially reorganizing the club with my peers and serving on the board as public chair and social media coordinator (2021-
2023).

Model United Nation

Served as the vice president (2021-2022) and member (2020-2023).

Campus Wide DEI Committee

Appointed by the president to serve as the student representative for the campus wide DEI committee (2022-2023)

Family Weekend

Led the philanthropy committe for two years (2022 & 2023).

Student Conduct Committee

Served as the student representative for student conduct faculty committee (2021-2022)

The Abyssinian Club

Reorganized the club to be active again and serve as the co-president (2022-2023).

Presidential Advisory – Commencement

Advised the president regarding commencement for the class of 2023 (2022-2023).

Dean of Student Search  Committee

Served as the first year representative for the dean of student search committee (2020)

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Habitat for Humanity

Given the lag of affordable housing development during covid 19, I volunteered at Habitat for Humanity in Evnesvil Indiana for six weeks working on their construction sites (2021)

AmeriCorps NCCC

Worked as a learning coordinator for those providing service, crafting lessons and providing assistance (2021)

Mariam Ethiopian Church

Taught the Amharic language to American kids for four years before coming to Lafayette and continued to teach virtually and during breaks (2018-2023)can kids for four years before coming to Lafayette and continued tortually and during breaks (2018- 2023)

ATHLETIC ACTIVITY/AWARD

Intramural Soccer

Played Intramural soccer (2020 & 2024)

Club Soccer

Played for the club soccer team (2020 & 2024)

SPECIAL INTEREST/ACTIVITY AWARD

Congressional Award

The only honorary award given by the U.S. Congress to recognize initiative, service, and achievement in America’s youth.

Certificate of National Service

Given by AmeriCorps NCCC for completing service (2021)

Certificate of Appreciation

Board of Trustee, Lafayette College (2023)