A doctoral student at Rutgers University has made history by becoming the institution’s first Rhodes Scholar in over 30 years. Omar M. Abuattieh, who is pursuing his studies at the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, has been recognized as the ninth Rhodes Scholar from Rutgers overall and the first from the School of Pharmacy, according to university officials.
Reflecting on his selection, Abuattieh, who hails from Holmdel, expressed gratitude for the honor. “It means a lot to me because much of what I’ve learned from my mother and my mentors is that this is not about me,” he stated. “My name may be listed as a Rhodes Scholar, but this is really about the community and all the people who shaped me and whom I hope to give back to.”
Abuattieh is currently completing a clinical rotation in the emergency department at University Hospital in Newark and is expected to graduate in May 2024. The Rhodes Scholarship is awarded to outstanding students worldwide who exhibit integrity, leadership, character, intellect, and a commitment to service. The scholarship covers all college fees, provides a living stipend, and includes travel to and from Oxford University in England.
This year, Abuattieh is among only 32 students selected nationwide as Rhodes Scholars. Rutgers is one of just 22 colleges and universities across the United States to have a recipient this year, marking a significant achievement for the institution, particularly as it includes several public universities.
Chancellor of Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Francine Conway, praised Abuattieh’s accomplishments, stating, “This well-deserved honor reflects Omar’s relentless spirit of intellectual curiosity, rigorous scholarship, and unwavering commitment to public service. Omar represents the best of Rutgers, and our entire community is enormously proud of what he has accomplished. We are excited to see all that he will achieve in the future.”
Abuattieh’s selection places him among an elite group at Rutgers. In 1993, two students—entrepreneur Randal Pinkett and Dana L. Brown—were chosen as Rhodes Scholars, a momentous occasion that marked the first time since 1953 that a Rutgers student had earned this prestigious distinction.
Upon learning of his selection, Abuattieh described the experience as “almost unreal” but emphasized the responsibility that accompanies the honor. “I know it comes with a responsibility to serve,” he said. “There are people just as deserving who didn’t receive it, and that motivates me to make the most of this chance.”
The legacy of the Rhodes Scholarship continues to inspire excellence and service among students worldwide, and Abuattieh’s achievement adds a significant chapter to Rutgers University’s history.
