2026-Alexander Brown
Alexander BrownMajor: International Affairs, Government & Law
Minor: Economics
Personal Statement:
“The Lafayette Ideal is a well-rounded, educated member of the senior class who adds to a sound academic record noteworthy participation in college activities and student life, which contribute to the advancement of the College on and off campus. Academic brilliance or athletic prowess alone is not the criterion for selection a a Pepper Prize recipient.”
Throughout my time at college, I’m confident I’ve embodied the Lafayette Ideal by pursuing holistic success in my academic and extracurricular activities. To do so, I’ve aimed to make an impact on all areas of campus life. I was fortunate enough to welcome the first-years to their new home as a LEO, helping to guide them through their first few weeks at Lafayette. I was also elected President of Student Government last year, during which I addressed student concerns. Just a few of the issues we worked on included facilitating the implementation of the new Grubhub mobile order system, which fixed the old, often broken, MobileOrder platform. Additionally, we were able to distribute the clubs and activities fee budget more equitably and created a new system that prioritized events that would benefit all students, including, but not limited to, members of a select few clubs. During my time here, I’ve also strived to strengthen Lafayette’s connection with local community organizations—particularly the Boys and Girls Club of Easton, by coordinating volunteering hours with my Greek life chapter. Further, the money I raised has gone to myriad local organizations, such as Safe Harbor and the Lehigh Valley Humane Society, as well as to those suffering from food insecurity internationally—something close to my heart as an international affairs major. By doing so, I’ve strengthened the campus’s engagement and relationships with the community that we are part of. Even amid these accomplishments, I’ve pursued a robust academic portfolio, including research with Professor Groves and my current senior thesis on international starvation as a weapon of war. I was able to apply these experiences to internships in D.C. and Tanzania. Ultimately, I’ve advanced the college’s mission by connecting its values to the wider world, something I hope to embody long after my time here.
Question 1: Please elaborate on the activity or accomplishment that has been the most meaningful to you during your time at Lafayette and why?
Student Government has been the activity that has mattered most to me because of the opportunity I had to speak up for my peers and pilot change. When I was elected President, I was acutely aware that the organization wasn’t operating as effectively as it should have been. This meant that the student voice wasn’t being properly conveyed on issues that matter. Throughout my term, I worked to address this—dedicating countless hours to fixing the organization and ensuring it can advocate for students to produce real results. Last year, we distributed budgets more transparently and efficiently than in years prior, and worked with various clubs and individuals to hear their concerns. Ultimately, I raised issues—including those regarding tuition, parking, and dining—to the administration and the Board of Trustees. The culmination of my efforts in the organization is not only a Student Government that runs better, but one that can address the concerns that all students face, both now and in the future. I am incredibly grateful that I was able to drive change both with and for students, which is something that I’ll remember long beyond my time here and an attitude I hope to carry forward in my career.
Question 2: Please briefly describe any unique circumstances, highlights from your time at Lafayette, things you are proud of or other special considerations, anything that you feel is relevant to your consideration as a Pepper Prize applicant and that is not addressed elsewhere.
My biggest highlight has been learning and growing into who I want to be through my Lafayette experience. When I came into college, I was unsure what I wanted to do with my life. I was originally an athlete, and although I enjoyed my two years on the fencing team, I wasn’t having the impact I wanted to have on campus at the time. Luckily, I took a range of amazing classes in International Affairs and Government & Law during my first 4 semesters, which strengthened my passion for foreign policy and my curiosity about the world. In the second half of college, I found comfort in my fields of study while also stepping up in my campus leadership roles. Although I didn’t know this at the time, my dedication to holistic growth was a facet of the Lafayette Ideal that this college embodies. That Ideal has ultimately made me who I am today. By creating the current version of myself, Lafayette has prepared me to address complex issues, such as global conflict and human rights, in my future career—something I will forever be grateful for and that I’m sure no other college could have done for me.