In 2022, alumnus Paul Wolff ’63 and his wife, Rhea Schwartz, generously created an exciting fellowship — the first of its kind at UW–Madison — for the College of Letters & Science (L&S). The Wolff Fellowship grants $45,000 each year to a graduating senior from L&S. Applicants are selected based on exceptional academics and a commitment to community service. Once chosen, fellows are given the freedom to choose their international destinations and develop a yearlong interdisciplinary journey. Max Koenig ’24, the most recent recipient, is first heading to Africa. Max has family roots in Madagascar, and one of his main objectives is to explore the influence of African culture, history, and music on communities that were impacted by slavery. He will also travel to Brazil, several Caribbean nations, and Columbia. Wolff recently passed away in June, but his legacy will live on through all those impacted by this fund.
“We hope that this fellowship will influence students to be active in their local communities and the greater communities,” Wolff said. “We’re also hoping to create a network of students year after year who can help each other and foster each other’s growth and development,” added Schwartz.