Visiting student from Germany wins Rhodes scholarship after junior year at Duke

Although Timur Ohloff only spent one year at Duke, his time here was a stepping stone to receiving a 2017 Rhodes scholarship. 

Ohloff—who graduated from Freie Universität Berlin with a B.A. in North American studies and political science—is one of 96 Rhodes scholars this year, who will receive full financial support to pursue a degree at the University of Oxford.

He came to Duke for his junior year because of its “outstanding political science department” and “beautiful campus," he wrote in an email. Because of his love for politics, Ohloff became close with many political science faculty—who served as “three-quarters” of his references for the Rhodes scholarship.

“He's a very fine student, but he has really clever and original ideas, and he works really hard to achieve them,” said John Aldrich, Pfizer-Pratt University professor of political science. “He has an interest in not just academics. I think of him as a student and a scholar. He has interest in politics, life and social life. He has a well roundedness that Rhodes are associated with.”

Ohloff said that he found Duke to be academically demanding but still devoted himself to extracurriculars. He founded the Duke Film Club on campus and played cello in the Duke Symphonic Orchestra. 

Senior Adam Schutzman, current Film Club president, praised Ohloff’s leadership abilities, noting that Ohloff was able to expand the club beyond just a “couple friends watching movies."

“It's very difficult to start a new organization and recruit members,” Schutzman said. “He was the type of leader who knew when it was time to be in charge but also knew how to spread the credit, give opportunity to new members.”

Schutzman also described Ohloff as a “deep thinker” that furthered the discussions of the films.

Stoll added that Ohloff’s time at Duke was pivotal in him receiving the Rhodes scholarship.

“I’m pretty sure his time at Duke helped Timur to get to know himself better and develop a clearer vision of what he wants in life," Stoll said. "While Timur has always been very ambitious, open-minded and eager to expand his horizon, I’m not entirely sure if he had even considered applying to the Rhodes program, had he not come to Duke.”

Ohloff explained that Duke is the reason he got the Rhodes scholarship, noting that Duke impacted his “intellectual and personal development” and provided him with great opportunities. One such opportunity was an internship in the office of Nancy Pelosi, minority leader of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Having a visiting international student go on to win a Rhodes scholarship is a special thing, Aldrich added.

“It's nice that Duke can generate not only the students we recruit ourselves and [put them forward] for Rhodes and Marshalls, but also someone like Timur who comes for a single year,” he said. “Duke attracts people who could win Rhodes from other places too.”

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