Oxford-bound

???A UB student recently received a prestigious scholarship, which will give him the opportunity to finish his formal education at one of the best universities in the world.

??? Aaron Krolikowski, a senior receiving an Interdisciplinary Degree of Social Sciences, has received a four-year Clarendon Scholarship from Oxford University.

???Krolikowski, a member of Phi Beta Kappa, plans to complete his Ph.D. at Oxford University after graduating from UB this spring.

???"I'm just a small-town kid who's been in public education his whole life," Krolikowski said. "I never could have imagined I'd be headed to one of the best universities in the world with a full scholarship."

???During his time at UB, Krolikowski performed research for the Regional Institute, interned at the New York Attorney General's Office, worked intensively with several environmental organizations around the region, and spent a summer establishing an agricultural development program in Northwest Tanzania in East Africa.

???" I've recently been doing a lot of work with the SUNY Student Assembly, working on tuition issues and higher education financing. I've also been a UB STAR with the Office of Admissions for three years," Krolikowski said.

???UB STARS is a group of approximately 50 students who return to their high schools to recruit students to come to UB. They also answer any questions that prospective students and parents may have.

???Krolikowski, who is currently finishing up a B.A. in Political Science and a B.S. in Environmental Studies, believes UB has facilitated everything he has accomplished. He credits his professors, including Claude Welch and Joseph Gardella, for aiding him in his academic studies in Western New York and beyond.

???"Most of my experiences over the past four years probably wouldn't have happened if the university didn't play a part," Krolikowski said.

???Advisers put Krolikowski in touch with internships, the Honors College funded his work in East Africa and the university provided a faculty with professors respected around the world.

???Krolikowski stated that he is honored to have the chance to attend Oxford, and that he is in a state of disbelief about the opportunity he has been given.

???"I would count it as one of the most important events in my life thus far," Krolikowski said.

???Krolikowski hopes his time abroad will enable him to someday say that he had a hand in changing the world. After Krolikowski finishes his formal education he intends to come back to Buffalo to help the region capitalize on the massive amounts of untapped potential that he believes the region holds.

???"I want to use what I learn at Oxford [in the field of international development] and apply it to Western New York, redefining the direction of our region with a focus on economic growth, premier educational opportunities, and environmental sustainability," Krolikowski said.

???He believes that students have to do more than work hard on academic ventures in order to really succeed at UB.

???"Enjoy this city - you would not believe the rebirth that is already going on. Enjoy this university - if you look, you can find some life-changing opportunities, and with just a little bit of work, you can feel like you've made the world a better place. Live life and push yourself to your limits," Krolikowski said. "UB was a lecture hall, and the entire region was my campus."