Senior of the Year: Aavik Wadivkar

By FORREST ZENG ‘26

Senior Aavik Wadivkar invited me to attend an Astronomy Club meeting for the first time before he left. I sat in the EPAC forum and listened as the four-year senior from Illinois broke down complex scientific topics. He pulled up a slide showing a massive grid of labeled points, arranged in a strange hexagon. The points weren’t on a two-dimensional map, but in fact, a multi-dimensional space. One point was labeled simply “quantum physics.” Another was labeled “special relativity.” Apparently, these strangely colored points symbolized elements of physics. The one in the center, though, was simply labeled, “The Theory of Everything.” 

This point, Wadivkar explained, was a synthesis of all the other points. Since it incorporated all the other theories, this theory could explain everything. How amazing was that?

What I didn’t realize was that this “theory of everything,” was not only an abstract physics concept. This theory of everything, this passionate blend of all things, this “jack of all trades, master of all,” was actively inhabiting a real person. And he was right in front of me, explaining himself to an audience of eight astronomy enthusiasts and one hesitant journalist.

A proud resident of Wentworth Hall, Wadivkar was born in Evanston, IL, and grew up in the United Arab Emirates. On campus, he is a co-head of Astronomy Club and Exeter Off Planet Society. He founded the Philosophy and Improvisation Clubs, as well as participated in Exeter’s TEDx program as a prep speaker and organizer. In addition, he is a board member of WPEA and DJs three radio shows. Wadvikar’s talent as a jazz musician reflects his membership in various jazz ensembles and leadership in Modern Music-Making.

“When I got on campus, I was determined,” Wadivkar said. “I was determined to do as much as possible. What else would I do?”

“I often hear people call me a jack of all trades, master of none,” he said. “It’s a bit hurtful. I’d hope that I’m at least a master of some.”

Indeed, Wadvikar’s wide range of interests doesn’t limit his ability to pursue each one deeply. “I’ve spent four years here and I’ve tried to get involved with, frankly, as many things as possible,” he said. 

Curiosity about the world has always motivated Aavik. An innate questioning led him to pursue both science and philosophy, bridging a perceived gap between seemingly disconnected subjects. “Philosophy, religion, and astronomy are all very related,” Wadivkar said. “They’re all concerned about getting to the bottom of the universe. That is, figuring out what all of this is about.” 

Wadivkar is intent on exploring every nook and cranny of life and the universe. About his discovery philosophy, he said, “I think my journey in philosophy began before I called it philosophy. As a child, I was always inquisitive, trying to see the world in a systematic and logical way. That simply developed into this formal field called philosophy.”

In fact, Wadivkar has taken six courses in philosophy and religion at Exeter: Faith and Doubt, Epistemology, Introduction to Philosophy, Criticizing Religion, Existentialism, and Mysticism. “There are fantastic philosophy and religion courses at this school,” Wadivkar said, “and I really wish more people would take them.”

As a founder and co-head of Philosophy Club, Wadivkar uses his experience and intellect to lead a variety of philosophical discussions. “He’s very well read and knows so much philosophy,” upper Elaine Qiao said. “He has a way of explaining it that really cuts to the core and doesn’t feel pretentious or technical.”

“I admire how he puts so much effort, time, and overall dedication to Philosophy Club,” alumnus Charlie Holtz said. “As a discussion club, we often had to strike a delicate balance between teaching philosophical topics to those with little philosophical exposure while also providing an engaging space for more knowledgeable club members. Aavik met this challenge with grace, meeting club members where they each were individually.”

On Wadivkar’s commitment to Philosophy Club, alumnus Haakon Kohler highlighted Wadivkar’s strength and leadership through difficult events in 2023. “He is amazingly bright, and was an excellent person to talk with during those meetings,” Kohler said. “He also helped the club a lot during the really difficult time in 2023 for everybody, but especially for people in the club. The help that he gave then can’t be overstated.”

To Wadivkar, astronomy answers the greatest questions in the world. “I was always interested in aiming for the biggest questions,” he said. “And aiming for the biggest questions naturally leads you to astronomy. I just got naturally swept up, since astronomy is the most essential science in terms of learning how the universe works.”

“He’s always been super interested in absolutely everything,” alumnus Rodrigo Spinola said. “He’s really into astronomy and physics. When we were co-heads of Astronomy Club, I really appreciated his dedication to detail and understanding, but also to keeping it light and focusing on how fun astronomy is.”

Director of the Grainger Observatory John Blackwell reflected a similar sentiment. “He has been an Astronomy Club Head for years, keeping the club active and organized with his co-head,” Blackwell said. “He does have a fascination with space!”

Wadivkar credits this curiosity to formative childhood experiences. “When I was around six or seven years old, my dad bought a telescope,” he described. “It wasn’t the best, but it did a great job with the moon and the planets. Since we were in Dubai, we drove about an hour into the desert, where there is absolutely no light pollution, and we did that during a lunar eclipse.”

“As a little child, that was such a magical moment,” he continued. “It was an amazing night where you could see this entire canopy of stars. A lot of people talk about an existential dread they feel when they look at the stars—but I’ve only ever felt wonder. I’ve never felt insignificant in this universe.”

As great as the physical universe might be, Wadivkar also spends time filling his own universe with music and art—in particular, jazz music and music composition. “I started as a classical pianist, then shifted to jazz,” he described. “Jazz ensemble and jazz as a whole has been such a huge part of my musical identity. I can’t imagine not being some kind of jazz musician.”

Wadivkar’s journey with music started more than ten years ago. “I was around five or six years old, and my mom started taking me to piano classes,” he said. “I got decent at classical piano, and kept playing for a while. It eventually got difficult, something in my eight-year-old self was stubborn.”

After entering Exeter as a classical pianist, Wadivkar switched to jazz lessons. He described his motivation to make the switch, emphasizing his love of playing with an ensemble. “There isn’t much space for a piano in a classical ensemble or orchestra,” he said. “I wanted to do something that was fun and new. Jazz ensemble was just that.”

Wadivkar’s first jazz ensemble instructor, Instructor in Music Marcus Rabb described, “When I first met Aavik, he was really enthusiastic about learning how to play jazz and having a good experience in the ensemble. That never changed.”

“He was very outgoing in jazz and had great banter with Mr. Rabb, so I saw him as a life-of-the-party type,” Qiao said.

Wadivkar is also an avid composer. “I had been interested in composing my own music, but because I was a classical piano player, I didn’t know how to compose,” he said. “I tried my best, though, and eventually I really got into electro swing, a genre of music that combines early 20th century swing with electronic grooves.”

At Exeter, Wadivkar enrolled in the Modern Music Making class, which supports students in creating their own music. “I think that class definitely opened my eyes to a lot of different musical perspectives,” Wadivkar said. “You get a very diverse set of musicians with their own distinct musical tastes in that group. Really, the only thing that ties us together is that we like making music—it doesn’t matter what kind of music.”

Wadivkar also DJs multiple shows, which is how he was originally introduced to WPEA, the Academy’s radio station club. “I started WPEA winter of my lower year,” he explained. “A friend and I did a show that was music oriented. We wanted to familiarize our audience with jazz history and traditions, and things like that.”

Wadivkar quickly became a board member, and began hosting shows about his own interests. “I started a radio show called ‘School of Athens’ with Carter Otis and Charlie Scales,” he said. “Hence its name: it’s a philosophy show. It’s very discussion oriented, and it’s more about having fun with philosophy than necessarily being too overly academic about it.” He also hosts “Bedtime Stories,” a show where he reads bedtime stories on weekend evenings. 

“It’s just an amazing experience, and yet another thing that this school offers,” he continued. “I can’t overstate how much I want people to jump at those kinds of opportunities.”

Indeed, Wadivkar has no qualms with spreading his time and energy to anything and everything. “What I most admire about Aavik is his participation in on-campus groups,” senior Carter Otis said. “He is a co-head of four different on campus clubs, and also participates in three radio shows! In what little free time he has, Aavik manages to read fantasy books, practice his skills in video editing and digital modeling, and create projects through the design lab. I’m sure that I’ve forgotten something in that list, but that just goes to show how much joy Aavik finds in the world around him.”

“He is extraordinarily intelligent,” senior Charlie Scales said. “He’s very passionate about the things he tells you about.” 

Wadivkar’s eclectic passions are undeniable. Above all, he is known for his outgoing and passionate aura. “I can’t pinpoint when exactly I met Aavik, but I feel like that speaks volumes about who he is,” alumnus Stellan Aalto said. “He has a distinct aura about him, one that’s inviting and unthreatening—he’s always grinning and ready to strike up a conversation with anyone.” 

Wadivkar hides nothing in his outgoing personality. “I feel like there isn’t much people don’t know about him personality-wise,” Aalto added. “He’s a very open and amiable person who is loved by all that know him well.” 

Qiao related a favorite memory with Wadivkar. “We once spent a weekend playing through the entirety of Undertale, all three routes,” she recounted. “It was really funny watching him speedrun the entire game. He’s so fun to be around and pretty much anything is more enjoyable with him there.”

“He has an amazing spirit and is a person who knows how to have fun in the most spontaneous, authentic way possible,” Scales said. “The memories I share with him are some of my most cherished.”

Wadivkar balances humor with intelligence and maturity. “I wish more people knew how down-to-earth he is,” Qiao said. “With his bubblegum persona, constantly cracking jokes, and being an astrophysics/philosophy major I think a lot of people assume he’s got his head in the clouds, but he’s one of the most self-aware people I know. He’s a really genuine and sensitive person, and he picks up on a lot.”

Timothy Mitropoulos, Wadivkar’s adviser, noted his respectfulness and growth mindset. “I have always appreciated our conversations together,” Mitropoulos said. “He is always very respectful with me and through our conversations, he has grown a lot because he takes suggestions well, as he is always looking to improve.”

Holtz praised Wadivkar’s compassion and approachability. “Aavik’s open-mindedness, vast consideration of others, and deep wisdom make him extraordinarily inspiring,” Holtz said. “Everyone should aspire to be more like Aavik.”

The Academy is a place where seniors often leave completely unrecognizable. But, to many of Wadivkar’s peers, he seemed to have sprung on campus already knowing what to pursue. It was only a matter of time. 

“He has always kept a positive mindset, and I admire his determination,” alumna Matilda Damon said. “He has certainly become more of a leader and driving force through the time I’ve known him, and I look forward to seeing what he’ll conquer.”

“My first impression of him was that he was very observant and a thinker,” Mitropoulos said. “That has not changed. He has learned to use those qualities as strengths at the table and in our community to help better those around him and get others to learn subjects on a deeper level, which is a win/win for everyone”

“Aavik strikingly resembles me in odd ways,” Scales said. “We’re interested in disparate things, our upbringings are entirely different, and we go about our lives differently, but the essence of our curiosity aligns in such a way that my conversations with him are uniquely meaningful.”

Wadivkar implores future generations of Exonians to take responsibility for their decisions and to find drive in the continuous flow of time. “At the end of the day, you will be having difficulty at Exeter,” he said. “I hate to say it though, but the earth is going to keep spinning. The sun will rise again, and the seasons will come and go. Time will not stop. So you have to be the one to make that decision for yourself.” Students often come to Exeter to pursue one undying interest, be it academics, music, or athletics. However, Wadivkar has challenged that age-old canon time and time again. At Exeter, he has lived as the human embodiment of the theory of everything. Indeed, for Wadivkar, the countless activities he has done at Exeter are no more complicated than a mere multi-dimensional graph representing the laws of the universe.

“There are definitely people who can dedicate themselves to one thing, and become the absolute best of the best. But I could never see myself being that sort of person.” Wadivkar conceded. “It simply isn’t fair to limit yourself to just one thing.”