Richard Altieri Named as a Schwarzman Scholar

Scarsdale's Richard Altieri has been chosen to receive a scholarship to study at the new Schwarzman College at Tsinghua University in Beijing. Schwarzman Scholars is designed to prepare its graduates to build stronger relationships between China and a rapidly changing world and to address the most pressing challenges of the 21st Century. The first class of 111 scholars was chosen from over 3,000 applicants.

The program was created and by Stephen A. Schwarzman, chairman and co-founder of the Blackstone Group. Schwarzman contributed $100 million to the school and raised another $275 million. The plan is to establish a $450 million endowment to fund 200 students each year. Its mission is to prepare the next generation of global leaders to respond to the geopolitical landscape of the 21st Century. Whether in politics, business or science, Schwarzman believes that the success of future leaders around the world will depend upon an understanding of China's role in global trends.

The inaugural class in 2016 will develop their leadership skills and professional networks through a one-year Master's Degree at Tsinghua University in Beijing. They will spend a year immersed in an international community of innovators and senior leaders in business, politics and society. In an environment of intellectual engagement, professional development and cultural exchange, they will learn from one another and pursue their academic disciplines while building their leadership capacities. Students will pursue degrees in Public Policy, Economics and Business or International Studies. This experience will expand students' understanding of the world and create a growing network of global leaders for the future.

Designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects, the 200,000 square foot campus will house one of the most advanced higher-education facilities in the world and will be the first LEED Gold–certified academic building in China. Students will live and study together on the campus of Schwarzman College, where all classes will be taught in English.

Richard Altieri recently graduated from Amherst College and is currently pursuing a Watson Fellowship in cross-cultural humor. His fellowship involves performing and studying stand-up comedy in English, Spanish, and Chinese. In college, by teaching English abroad in China and researching policy, Richard developed a passion for education. Looking forward, Richard intends to explore how education policy can facilitate deeper cultural understanding between the United States, Latin America, and China. In the long term, he aspires to start a consultancy that develops education policy at the broadest levels, promoting artistic, social, and historical understanding between nations. Richard is 23 years old and grew up in Scarsdale. He attended Regis High School and is fluent in Chinese and Spanish.