Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.
Support independent student journalism. Support independent student journalism. Support independent student journalism.
The Dartmouth
July 19, 2025 | Latest Issue
The Dartmouth

Dhand, Herring win int'l Rhodes

Two recent College graduates, Amar Dhand '01 of Canada and Fiona Herring '02 of Bermuda, were recently honored as Rhodes Scholars by their respective nations.

The Rhodes Scholarships were created 100 years ago and enable students from 18 nations to study for two or three years at Oxford University in Cambridge, England. The students' academic work is completely covered by the scholarship, the value of which is estimated at more than $27,000 per year.

Dhand, currently a student at Harvard Medical School, graduated from Dartmouth with a major in cognitive sciences and a minor in English.

While at Dartmouth, Dhand served as president of his class for a year and established the Dartmouth Undergraduate Journal of Science. He served in numerous student groups, notably the Barbary Coast Jazz Ensemble, the Collis Governing Board and the Dartmouth Literary Society. He recently spent time in Vietnam, developing an education program for intravenous drug users who are at high risk for HIV or have the disease already.

During an interview this week, Dhand stated the "opportunity to expand his intellectual motivations" and "the two years of amazing opportunities" as primary inspirations for seeking the Rhodes. He referred to his time at Dartmouth with a "broad liberal arts experience and curriculum" as a considerable influence.

While at Oxford, Dhand plans to continue searching for and developing new strategies for teaching pre-clinical students.

The application process was challenging, according to Dhand, but he believed he distinguished himself as "not just a professional but someone interested in learning," as well as a leader and an individual.

"I'd like to thank my teachers," he said, crediting professors for what he calls his "mission to become an educator."

Dhand encourages students to try for the Rhodes scholarships. His advice for current Dartmouth students is to "appreciate your education ... not just in books but in all aspects of life. Think about developing an action and a vision."

Herring, the sole recipient of the Bermudian Rhodes, graduated from Dartmouth with a degree in Computer Science and currently studies at the London School of Economics.

She plans to study anthropology while at Oxford, an interest she first developed during the Semester at Sea program through Dartmouth.

While at Dartmouth, Herring was a member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority, a Dartmouth Drug and Alcohol Peer Advisor, an Eating Disorder Peer Advisor and a Sexual Abuse Peer Advisor. She also helped establish and served as an officer for the Dartmouth National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

"While I am relatively sure that a career in technical management lies ahead of me, I will not feel content without having satiated my interest in anthropology," she said in a statement. "I believe [my studies] would reflect the goals of the Rhodes scholarship ... the constant pursuit of knowledge, development of international understanding and learning simply for the sake of learning."

Each year, the planet's best and brightest university students compete in this competition. Requirements include between five and eight recommendations, several interviews, and extraordinary achievement. Originally endowed by the will of Cecil Rhodes, a prominent British philanthropist, the scholarship committees seek intellectual distinction as well as "integrity of character, a spirit of unselfishness, respect for others, potential for leadership, and physical vigor."

Dhand and Herring will be joined at Oxford by Heidi Williams '03, an American Rhodes Scholar. Megan Steven '02 is already at Oxford as a recipient of last year's scholarship.