 | | | Oxford-bound Moraga Regina Kong speaks to Moraga Rotary about her interests and future aspirations. Photo provided | | | | | | Moragan Regina Kong, a recent graduate of Stanford University, will attend University of Oxford, England, to study for a Master of Science degree in Nature, Society, and Environmental Governance with a $69,000 scholarship provided by various Rotary sources arranged by Rotary Club of Moraga. Kong's focus is sustainable livelihoods with smaller ecological footprints that can maintain people's social well-being. After Oxford, she plans to work with a non-government organization in environmental conservation.
Kong, who grew up attending Moraga schools, has already been pursuing her goal through several extra-curricular field studies. Last spring, she joined a 35-day voyage to Palmyra atoll in the Pacific Ocean to study the pristine coral reefs there. In over two months in 2019, she interviewed local fishermen in small Alaskan villages to gather data about how their livelihood is marginalized by changes in the industry. While at Stanford, she attended a field research seminar in the Galapagos Islands, and interviewed local educators and conservationists for future publication.
The scholarship was sponsored by Moraga Rotary and was partially funded by a Global Grant of $24,000 from The Rotary Foundation; $30,000 was funded by the 72-club Rotary District 5160 (from San Ramon to the Oregon border), and the balance came from several Rotary Clubs and individuals. Moraga Rotarians Frank May and Debbie Koo were the leaders in obtaining funding from their District and in applying and receiving the Global Grant. Regina will be hosted in England by the Rotary Club of Beaconsfield, which is located near Oxford in District 1090. Clubs there are well experienced in providing extracurricular cultural and social services to visiting Rotary scholars.
In 2015, Moraga Rotary provided a scholarship to another Moraga woman, Venetia Baker, who attended and graduated from the London School of Tropical Medicine, and is now working in that field.
Moraga Rotary is a 56-year-old service club within Rotary International, and meets most Tuesdays at noon at La Finestra restaurant. To inquire about membership, or for further information, check out the website: www.moragarotary.org |
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA