In a proud moment for Yale College, five outstanding seniors—Bobby Atkinson, Ayelet Kalfus, Robby Hill, Xavier Blackwell-Lipkind, and Olivia Sally—have been named recipients of the prestigious 2024 Marshall Scholarships. This esteemed scholarship, which honors former U.S. Secretary of State General George Marshall, supports up to three years of graduate study in any academic field at renowned universities across the United Kingdom.
The 2024 Marshall Scholars class, consisting of 51 individuals, marks the largest cohort in the seven-decade history of the program. Among the recipients, half will delve into STEM-related fields, with a particular focus on the ethics and advancement of artificial intelligence testament to the program’s adaptability to contemporary challenges.
Peter Abbott, British Consul General to New England, praises the scholars, stating, “This class of scholars is already making a profound impact on the world, and their contributions will undoubtedly strengthen the U.K.-U.S. relationship and usher in a new era of collaboration.”
Meet the Yale Scholars
1. Bobby Atkinson
Hailing from Janesville, Minnesota, Atkinson, a first-generation college student, brings a unique perspective shaped by his service in the United States Air Force. His dedication to U.S. drug policy reform and combating the domestic opioid epidemic will lead him to pursue an M.Phil. degree in evidence-based social intervention and policy evaluation at the University of Oxford.
2. Ayelet Kalfus
A physics major from New York, New York, Kalfus stands at the intersection of science and the arts. Her multidisciplinary approach has led her to volunteer with Ukrainian refugees in Prague and document the undergraduate journey at Yale. Kalfus plans to pursue the systems and synthetic biology MRes degree and the artificial intelligence M.Sc. degree at Imperial College London.
3. Robby Hill
Majoring in ethics, politics, and economics, Hill is committed to understanding the role of housing policy in social and economic inequality. As an advocate for land use reform, he will embark on an M.Phil. degree in evidence-based social intervention and policy evaluation at the University of Oxford, building on his impactful work defending low-income clients and contributing to statewide legislation.
4. Xavier Blackwell-Lipkind
Majoring in comparative literature, Blackwell-Lipkind’s literary prowess extends beyond traditional boundaries. As an editor, translator, and aspiring novelist, he has contributed creative works to various publications. The Marshall scholarship will support his pursuit of an M.St. degree in comparative literature and critical translation at Oxford, followed by an M.A. in prose fiction at the University of East Anglia.
5. Olivia Sally
Pursuing education studies and political science, Sally, from Oakland, California, has a diverse background that includes serving as a White House intern and being appointed to New Haven’s Commission on Equal Opportunities. The first Marshall scholar from Yale’s Education Studies Program, Sally will pursue an M.Sc. degree in education (child development and education) and an M.P.P. (Master of Public Policy).
Since its establishment in 1954, the Marshall Scholarship program has empowered over 2,200 students to pursue graduate degrees, fostering international collaboration and intellectual exchange. Yale proudly congratulates these five promising scholars and looks forward to witnessing the impact of their contributions on the global stage.
