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Two WKU Mahurin Honors Scholars were selected for prestigious academic programs in Washington, D.C. this summer.

Sydney Windhorst (MHC ’25) of Oldham County was selected to participate in the American Enterprise Institute’s 2023 Summer Honors Program. The program is an intensive, fully-funded educational and professional development opportunity that gathers students from diverse ideological backgrounds for substantive dialogue and debate about pressing national and global issues. Windhorst participated in a one-week seminar titled Living the Good Life: The Human Person and Liberal Education.

Windhorst, an International Affairs and Journalism major, participated in her course in June. “AEI introduced me to an unprecedented marketplace of thought,” Windhorst said. “Both through the texts we studied and discussions with my peers, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to expand my horizons and grapple with new perspectives.”

Maria Julian (MHC ’24) of Louisville was awarded a Summer 2023 Fellowship from the Hertog Foundation. Hertog Summer Fellows receive a full scholarship, housing, course materials, and a stipend to study political ideas and public policy through intensive, discussion-based seminars. Julian was selected to participate in the 2023 Security Studies Program, which focuses on national security challenges and is led by faculty with direct experience forming and advising American policy. She took two courses: America’s Forgotten War & Confronting China Today and China at War: Past, Present, and Future.

Julian, a triple major in Chinese, International Affairs, and Sociology, attended her program in late July and early August. “I was particularly excited to learn if I enjoy discussing foreign policy and spending time with the people making those decisions,” Julian said. “A mentor of mine once told me to try to envision myself with the crowd of people I could spend the next 30 years with to help me make my decision, so this is my attempt to do that.”

Dr. Craig T. Cobane, Executive Director of the Mahurin Honors College, encourages scholars to pursue fellowships like those offered by AEI and Hertog. “MHC Scholars are highly capable researchers, writers, and thinkers,” Cobane said. “When they get the chance to participate in discussions with students from other institutions, our scholars demonstrate that capability while building a network of peers who share their interests.”

Julian and Windhorst both had advice for WKU students considering similar programs. “Be confident in where you stand politically, prepare to give a defense for your beliefs, yet stress how much you respect civil dialogue and embrace the opportunity to hear other’s opinions,” Windhorst advised. “Reach out to OSD!,” Julian said. “I will go to my grave saying they are the best resource an undergraduate can have.” Scholars interested in learning more about summer academic fellowships can contact Will Randolph, Nationally Competitive Opportunities Specialist in the Office of Scholar Development.

About the Office of Scholar Development (OSD): The Office of Scholar Development is committed to helping WKU students in all major and degree programs develop the vision, experience, and skills to be independent, engaged scholars. OSD welcomes the opportunity to work with any WKU student interested in pursuing nationally competitive scholarships toward their academic and professional goals.

About the Mahurin Honors College (MHC): The Mahurin Honors College at Western Kentucky University is a leader in honors education for academically motivated and high-potential learners from all communities. As the first independent honors college at a Kentucky public university, the MHC is dedicated to fostering excellence in all forms of expression through research and experiential learning, critical thinking, active citizenship, and international engagement.

About the American Enterprise Institute Summer Honors Program: The American Enterprise Institute’s Summer Honors Program is an intensive, fully-funded educational and professional development opportunity in Washington, DC, for top undergraduate students. The program aims to provide students with a deeper understanding of contemporary public policy challenges, a greater appreciation for substantive dialogue across ideological divides, and the knowledge and networks to pursue a future career in the policy world.

About the Hertog Foundation Summer Fellowship: An educational not-for-profit, the Hertog Foundation sponsors several highly competitive and selective educational programs for outstanding individuals who seek to influence the intellectual, civic, and political life of the United States. They offer programs in three main areas: Political Thought & Philosophy; War & Foreign Affairs; and Economics & Domestic Policy.

Contact: Will Randolph, will.randolph@wku.edu