
Gary L. McDowell Institute 2023-24 Student Fellows Program
True to the principles that inspire the McDowell Institute, the Student Fellows Program seeks to engage ideas across the ideological spectrum and is designed to enrich the intellectual experience of students interested in political, social, and economic thought.
The 2023-24 fellows participate in a co-curricular reading group focused on Zena Hitz's "Lost in Thought: The Hidden Pleasures of an Intellectual Life" (Princeton University Press, 2021). “Drawing on inspiring examples, from Socrates and Augustine to Malcolm X and Elena Ferrante, and from films to Hitz’s own experiences as someone who walked away from elite university life in search of greater fulfillment, Lost in Thought is a passionate and timely reminder that a rich life is a life rich in thought.” Zena Hitz is a Tutor at St. John’s College in Annapolis, as well as the founder and president of the Catherine Project.
Fellows discuss enduring questions raised by the text and apply insights to contemporary issues.
Students interested in becoming a McDowell Fellow should email McDowell Institute co-director Dr. Dan Palazzolo and administrative coordinator Katherine Rockwell a statement of interest in the program and the name of a University of Richmond faculty member who is willing to serve as a reference. A selection committee will begin reviewing applications on Sept. 15.
2023-24 Seminar Leaders
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Dr. Kevin Cherry, Associate Professor of Political Science |
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Dr. Jessica Flanigan, Associate Professor of Leadership Studies and Philosophy, Politics, Economics and Law, Richard L. Morrill Chair in Ethics and Democratic Values |
2023-24 Scholar-for-the-Day
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Zena Hitz, |
2023-24 Student Fellows
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Brett Barnes, '25, mathematics and computer science majors |
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Shelby Campbell, '25, business administration and PPEL majors |
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Kate Chasin, '26, leadership studies major |
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Samara Chowdhury, '25, leadership studies major |
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Abby Clar, '24, leadership studies and business administration majors |
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Tyler Concaugh, '24, PPEL and leadership studies majors |
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Olivia Cranshaw, '24, business administration major |
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Alafair Cutler, '24, leadership studies major |
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Melanie Day, '25, leadership studies and political science majors |
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Maddie Fellner, '25, leadership studies and political science majors |
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Campbell Finch, '24, political science major |
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Claire Geibel, '26, business administration major |
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Holden Habermacher, '27, undeclared major |
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Peter Hawes, '24, philosophy and English majors |
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Rodrigo Herrera, '25, political science major |
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Anna-Laura Houston, '25, leadership studies and English majors |
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Isabelle Huggard, '24, economics and PPEL majors |
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Mark Johnson, '24, leadership studies and music majors |
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Adam Kasti, '27, undeclared major |
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Olivia Kivort, '24, business administration and PPEL majors |
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Kalina Kulig, '26, PPEL major |
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Harrison Lehman, '25, leadership studies and PPEL majors
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Malena Lo Prete, '26, undeclared major |
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Sarah Marghub, '26, undeclared major |
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Annie Michael, '24, PPEL major |
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Shelby Mokricky, '24, leadership studies and health studies majors |
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Ella-Brooke Morgan, '27, undeclared major |
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Lauren Oligino, '24, leadership studies and political science majors |
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John Paschold, '26, political science and French majors |
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Olga Rokhlenko, '27, undeclared major |
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Nick Ryan, '27, undeclared major |
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Katie Sinclair, '26, undeclared major |
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Charlotte Tisdale, '26, leadership studies major |
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Hannah-Claire Ward, '26, undeclared major |
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Ella-Grace Will, '26, psychology major |
*Not pictured: Lindsay Kramer, '25, leadership studies and health studies majors