University of Chicago senior Francesco Rahe has been named a 2025 Rhodes Scholar, a honor marking him as the latest in a tradition of academic excellence from the institution. Rahe, a student in the College at the University of Chicago, will head to Oxford University with intentions to delve into the world of classical Indian religions and the aspirational job of translating Sanskrit texts,University of Chicago Newsreported.
“It means an immense amount to have received this opportunity,”Rahe said, expressing a mix of astonishment and determination, “I m honestly a little stunned, but I also am trying to focus on making good on this opportunity. It s a gift, but it also comes with responsibilities. I want to make sure what I do in the future is able to repay this thousand-fold.” He s not only majoring in fundamentals and religious studies but is also a prolific writer, with his 13th novel in the works. Rahe reflects a growing concern, stating less than 3% of books published in the U.S. are translations, a gap that he aims to bridge.
During his studies at Oxford, Rahe plans to further his understanding and proficiency in Persian, which he has been studying at UChicago under scholar Pouneh Shabani-Jadidi. The Hillsdale, Michigan native has his sights set on a larger goal to study the translation of Sanskrit texts into Persian from the era of the Mughal Empire. Rahe told theUniversity of Chicago News, “When we re only reading literature from our own language and the perspective of our own belief system, this leaves us vulnerable to misinformation about other groups, said Rahe. I want to fight back against those kinds of divisions by increasing the number of accessible translations of religious texts, so that everyone can have access to the vast and beautiful corpus of literary works situated within religious traditions.”
Rahe also has been active outside of his academic pursuits, initiating a student organization called CULT (Critical Understanding of Liturgies and Traditions), aimed at fostering religious understanding through diverse activities. Melina Hale, dean of the College, recognized Rahe as an ideal embodiment of the College,saying he’s, “an extraordinary academic talent, he has worked extensively on campus, and beyond it, to foster informed dialogue and debate on a range of pressing issues.” Despite the demanding road to becoming a Rhodes Scholar, Rahe’s support system, comprised of friends, and the College Center for Research and Fellowships, played a pivotal role in his success. He appreciates his friends’ contributions throughout the application process with “lots of coffee, listening ears and general encouragement” along with his parents’ support.
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