A Scholar and an Athlete
Story by Benjamin Badua (Photo courtesy of Princeton Athletics)
As a starter on Princeton's 19th-ranked women's basketball team and a student at one of the most prestigious universities in the world, Alex Wheatley’s life is pretty regimented. It has to be. Striking the right balance between student and athlete isn't easy.
The junior begins most days an hour before her first class. During breaks, she's often studying. From 4:45-7 p.m. Wheatley can typically be found at Jadwin Gymnasium, practicing with one of the nation's two remaining undefeated teams. Around 8:30 p.m., after dinner, she'll resume her studies before eventually retiring for the evening, sometimes as late as 1 a.m.
But Monday, Dec. 8, 2014 wasn't a typical day. Sitting in Robertson Hall, Wheatley anxiously awaited her interview for the university's Scholars in the Nation's Service Initiative (SINSI). It was the culmination of a long application process that began in September. After months of writing essays and securing recommendations, it all came down to this.
“I was terrified,” recalled Wheatley. “I took the first [interview] slot at 8:30 a.m. I got there early, so I was reviewing my application in my head and said hello to everyone that would be interviewing me as they arrived. I talked to my dad the night before, and he told me that if I got nervous I should put my hands on the table and cross them so I don't fidget.”
In the room was a nine-person panel. On the phone calling in from Ebola-stricken Sierra Leone was a 10th interviewer. Her hands hit the table before she even sat down.
“It was unlike anything I had done before,” said Wheatley. “Playing basketball, the only time I get nervous is right before tip-off. This was different. This had to do with a whole different side of me, and there was a lot more at stake [than a game]. It was intimidating.”
Established in 2006, the SINSI program only accepts up to five Princeton juniors per year. Designed to encourage and prepare the nation's top students to pursue careers in the U.S. government (both in international and domestic agencies), scholars spend the summer after their junior year in a SINSI-funded federal government internship.
Upon graduation, students enter the Woodrow Wilson School's two-year Master in Public Affairs (MPA) program with a full scholarship for tuition and living expenses. After the first year of the MPA, the program's participants are placed into a two-year fellowship with the federal government before returning for their second year.
An ecology and evolutionary biology major, Wheatley always considered pursuing a career path centered on research or public policy. The summer prior to her decision to apply to SINSI, she had the opportunity to explore both concentrations while working with the Conservation Clubs in Laikipia County, Kenya.
Spending eight weeks in Africa, she taught primary students at 11 pastoral schools. The goal of the program is to ensure that the next generation of herders and pastoralists are prepared to protect, manage, and conserve their environment. Wheatley flourished in the role.
“I tried to use games to teach,” Wheatley said. “I remember creating one about evolution that I called Birdie Breakfast. I divided the class into two groups and gave each a set of beaks. They would compete against each other and discuss why one beak would be better suited than the others for a particular food item. Without realizing it, they were learning and having a great time.”
“It solidified my interest in [public] policies and how they play into the dynamic of NGOs, international humanitarian groups, international governing bodies, and national governments – especially in regard to global health.”
In addition to teaching, Wheatley's internship required her to live at a research center, giving her a glimpse into a life devoted to fieldwork. While she enjoyed her experiences, she wasn't convinced it was the right fit. What did pique her interest were spirited discussions about public policy and current events that she would have with her roommate Annelies Paine, a fellow Princetonian and Woodrow Wilson School major, as well as a varsity rower.
“We talked about the threats of ISIS, Russia and Ukraine, and Ebola, among other things,” said Wheatley. “It solidified my interest in [public] policies and how they play into the dynamic of NGOs, international humanitarian groups, international governing bodies, and national governments – especially in regards to global health.”
Returning to campus, Wheatley found out about the SINSI opportunity. Diving in, she quickly started the application process. Also becoming a certificate candidate in global health and health policy, she discussed issues related to the field during her interview with the committee.
“As soon as we started talking, the nerves dissipated,” Wheatley said. “We talked about all sorts of things related to global health. While I caught myself second-guessing and critiquing some of my answers in the moment, I actually enjoyed the conversation.”
It was over 25 minutes later. Wheatley could finally take a breath – if only she had time. Across campus, practice was already underway. With the team needing to catch an early afternoon flight, the Tigers took to the court at 9 a.m. Racing to Jadwin, Wheatley rejoined her teammates as they prepared for a game against the University of Michigan.
After practice, Wheatley and company headed for Philadelphia International Airport. Upon checking in, the Tigers made their way to the gate, only to find that their flight to Boston was delayed because of fog. Eventually getting to Logan Airport, the team had to be escorted to a different terminal and through security just to make their connecting flight to Detroit. Some seven hours, 500-plus miles, and three airports later, the Tigers finally reached their destination.
But something was weighing on Wheatley, and it wasn't the days' worth of travel. At the conclusion of her SINSI interview, Wheatley knew she would receive a verdict either later that evening or Tuesday morning. Stepping off the plane, she realized she had a voicemail.
“I didn't want to call back,” said Wheatley. “I honestly assumed I hadn't gotten it.”
While waiting at Carousel 4 of the Detroit Metropolitan Airport baggage claim, Wheatley asked head coach Courtney Banghart for permission to step away from the team. Walking over to a quiet corner, she returned the call and awaited her fate.
“I can't really remember much of the phone call after she told me [I got it],” Wheatley said. “I think I made a lot of gasping, laughing, and shocked sounds. And I said 'thank you.' A lot.”
After hanging up, Wheatley headed back towards the group. Catching one of her teammates' eyes, she raised her arms and smiled. Mobbing her as if they'd already won the game they were yet to play, the Tigers offered hugs and congratulations for a job well done.
During dinner at Sava's Restaurant in Ann Arbor, Mich., Wheatley once again stepped away to share the good news with her parents. When she returned, a special treat awaited her – a Peanut Butter Cup Parfait. After taking a bite, Wheatley thanked everyone for their support and graciously passed the dessert around the table for her teammates to share. Later that night, the newly minted SINSI scholar went right back to work, taking a COS programming exam.
The following evening, Wheatley helped Princeton to an 85-55 rout of a then 6-1 Michigan team. It was the program's first-ever win over the Wolverines and one of the highlights in an unprecedented, Ivy League record start that reached 17-0 heading into January's first semester exams. In 12 appearances this season, the Upper Holland, Pa. native has shot 53.8 percent from the field while averaging 9.2 points and 5.1 rebounds. After the Michigan game, Wheatley was right back in her room, trying to finish an EEB321 exam.
Waking up in the wee-hours the next morning in order to catch a 6:10 a.m. flight out of Detroit Metro, Wheatley and the Tigers began their long journey home. Re-tracing their steps from a few days earlier, the team finally arrived outside Caldwell Fieldhouse just before noon, capping off a whirlwind 48-hour road-trip.
Unfortunately for Wheatley, there would be no rest for the weary. After all, it was only Wednesday. Within 24 hours she would have to take a third exam. By Saturday, there would be another game to play. In between? Just another day in a busy week for Alex Wheatley.