Noah Rudder, son of David Rudder, earns 2025 Rhodes Scholarship

CANADIAN Noah Rudder, youngest son of local calypso legend David Rudder, has been awarded a prestigious 2025 Rhodes Scholarship.

A proud David announced his son’s achievement on Facebook.

He said the scholarship is the “world’s pre-eminent and oldest graduate fellowship.”

It allows winners from around the globe to pursue postgraduate education at Oxford University in England.

Its website adds, “(It) is a merit-based scholarship, with the purpose of developing public-spirited leaders, and to promote international understanding and peace through an international community of scholars.”

The younger Rudder, 21, is currently doing a double major in peace conflict and justice, and drama at Victoria College, University of Toronto.

He hopes to do his master’s in public policy and fine arts at Oxford.

His father said when his son was asked about the intersection of the two fields of study, he said, “It is what I know, the family I was born into and the culture I come from.”

Oxford’s master’s in public policy is a one-year programme, which it says “offers a distinctive approach to learning about public policy, (and) is a transformative opportunity for current and future leaders with a commitment to public service.”

As for the master’s in fine arts, also a year long, Oxford says it is “an intensive one-year studio-based programme in the practice of contemporary art.”

Noah Rudder’s bio on the Rhodes Scholarship website says he did research with the World Bank’s Office of the Chief Economist which focused on knowledge generation in African nations pre-2009.

It also says he worked with the Office of the President at Victoria College to implement the Scarborough Charter on Anti-Black Racism, signed in February. It adds that he won the Crescam Serviendo Student Leadership Award and Bader Opportunity Award for leadership and academic excellence.

“An actor and writer, Noah has performed in the Toronto Fringe Festival and University of Toronto productions, including the Bob Sketch Comedy Revue.”

It says he is passionate about social change.

David Rudder told Newsday his son worked “really hard” and has a “natural gift.

“With the right coaching, he could shock the world.”

He added that his son is currently writing a play.

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