- Royce Fellowship
Concentration
Award Year
Faculty Sponsor: Jennifer Lawless
The upper Iowa River Watershed and its inhabitants, due to the area's karst topography, are acutely vulnerable to agricultural pollution. Rob conducted a survey of area farmers, followed by a series of "farmer forums," to ascertain their level of conservation knowledge and concern. As the success of policymaker and conservation groups in reducing pollution is dependent on the cooperation of farmers, these groups can use the results to formulate more effective conservation policy.
After graduating from Brown, Rob worked on campaigns in Iowa and volunteered for months in New Orleans, rebuilding houses. A Truman Scholar, Rob chose to attend the University of Iowa College of Law. There, he became the first Iowa Law student ever to serve as a President of the Iowa Student Bar Association and as an Editor-in-Chief of a law journal. He led service trips to New Orleans and organized efforts for flood relief in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, after the 2008 floods. The University of Iowa awarded Rob the Hancher-Finkbine Medallion, its highest honor, in 2010. He now works at the Iowa Attorney General’s Office where he prosecutes white-collar criminals, corrupt public officials and sexually violent predators.