Thai Scholar: Jirawat “Jerry” Anunrojwong The Thai Wonder

Jerry Anunrojwong, a pleasant, respectful, collegial, responsible and highly conscientious young man, as History instructor Kwasi Boadi put it, is one of the two Thai scholars who studied at the Academy this academic year.

As an academic, Anunrojwong has much to boast about. After being selected as a King’s Scholar, one of only nine students selected country-wide, Anunrojwong chose to attend Exeter as a post-graduate. 

After arriving at Exeter, Anunrojwong quickly found his place in the Exeter community. 

Many teachers noted his work ethic and consistent academic achievement.

Boadi commended Anunrojwong’s contributions to the classroom.

“What easily stood him out in the class is the depth and breadth of his analytical skills. No contradiction, nuance, nor paradox escaped Jerry.”

Teachers also noticed Anunrojwong’s creativity and attention to detail when it came to problem-solving.

“He thinks on several different levels and is always concerned not just about a result being correct but also about the best way to present it,” Jeff Ibbotson, mathematics instructor, said. “His work sparkles with an elegant creativity.  His inquisitiveness seems to know no bounds.”

When asked what his favorite subject was, Anunrojwong gave a firm answer: math. He explained why he was so passionate. “I am most interested in mathematics because mathematics is an exemplary instance of human imagination and interconnectedness of knowledge,” Anunrojwong said. “In math I am free to play by the rules, and I can invent anything I want.”

Anunrojwong’s interest and knowledge of mathematics were shown last summer when he participated in the International Math Olympiad (IMO) at Bogota, Colombia, and received a gold medal.

However, Anunrojwong mentioned that awards mean little to him, as contributions to the community mean more to him.

“I don't think there is any particular award that I would like you to mention in the article. I am not especially concerned about awards, anyway,” Anunrojwong said. “I am more concerned about what I can do to improve myself and help people I work with/ contribute to the communities I am in.”

Furthermore, Anunrojwong refuses to dwell on whatever emotions that may come from his accomplishments, as he prefers to begin anew after achieving something.

“I will keep my joy and happiness for accomplishing something for only a certain amount of time and then start again, tucking away that accomplishment in the deepest recesses of my mind. The same thing applies for disappointment and distress.”

Anunrojwong, along with his impressive mathematics credentials, is also an active member in the Academy’s Model U.N. club. In Thailand, Anunrojwong was an avid debate fan who didn’t have the chance to participate in debate competitions.

After coming to Exeter, International Student Coordinator Christine Knapp recommended to Anunrojwong that he join Model U.N. After the co-heads gave Anunrojwong the chance to go to a conference at Worcester Academy, Anunrojwong felt that he had learned a lot from the experience.

After spending many days and nights before the conference trying to figure out the meanings of phrases like “role call” and “unmoderated caucus,” among others, Anunrojwong attended the conference relatively unprepared. 

“At the conference day, as expected, I was very confused the first hour or so and then I got along with it, not doing a very good job. At the time I was very disappointed with myself and I almost decided to give up.”

Soon after, Anunrojwong felt inspired to build upon this experience, and thus began attending school conferences and practice sessions. Through perseverance, Anunrojwong’s experience with Model U.N. gradually improved. 

For a reason unknown to Anunrojwong, the experience at Worcester Academy is something that he chooses to mention to embody his time at Exeter.

“My experience attending the Worcester conference was a very emotional one. I never experienced a lot of politicking, dog-eat-dog domination that goes along with ‘intellectual’ discussions like that before and, since I didn't expect it, I was seriously affected by it.”

Anunrojwong mentioned that, after starting to be more comfortable in Model U.N., he has developed as a person.

“[Model U.N.] taught be to always stretch my limit and try new things and speak up. I met a lot of great people, ferocious in conferences but very nice in real life. It also significantly expanded my horizons.”

Anunrojwong is also a member of Peer Tutoring, Environmental Action Commitee and the Praise Team.

Anunrojwong is recognized by his dorm-mates for his leadership within Browning Hall. His adviser, mathematics instructor Simon Spanier, applauded Anunrojwong’s willingness to become a leader when one was needed.

“I was pleased that Jerry applied to be a proctor in our dorm with no returning seniors, and, after his candidacy attracted widespread support, he has exercised that role with insight, patience and dedication.”

Lower Nicolas Coleman, a fellow resident of Browning Hall, recognized Anunrojwong’s presence in the dormitory.

“I would describe him as a very nice and friendly person. He always seems happy and greets people with a smile and a wave while passing by,” Coleman said. “Either way, I admire the courage it must've taken to come all the way from Thailand to attend Exeter for only a year.”

Other students at the Academy also appreciate Anunrojwong’s joyful and intellectual personality.

“It's just interesting that when we sit together we can always talk about some sciency stuff and there are just so many thoughts and ideas flowing out of him and that's what I admire about Jerry the most,” upper Andy Wei said.

Upper Yuree Kim, a classmate in Anunrojwong’s AP Physics class, also observed the work ethic of Anunrojwong.

“He's very inquisitive. More than once he's stayed after AP physics to ask Mr. Saltman about things he had on his mind.”

Similarly, senior Leigh Marie Braswell praised Jerry’s love of learning. “Jerry is extremely inquisitive, motivated, and knowledgeable. One minute he'll be giving us historical context on the topic we are learning, and the next he'll be putting up a complex proof on the board. His love of the subject material and his constant smile are contagious.”

To sum it all up, it seems Anunrojwong is an avid learner and student, as well as an always-happy personality on campus. Many from Exeter believe that Anunrojwong will have an academically prosperous future after Exeter. 

“Jerry is imbued with a deep sense of purpose that should carry him far on whatever academic career he pursues beyond Exeter,” Boadi said.