Sophia Markley -- a second-year student majoring in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) and Public Policy Analysis on the Pre-Law track -- has been awarded a Humanities at Hertog Fellowship for a Seminar on “The Writings of Booker T. Washington”.  

Sophia currently serves as the President of the Smith-Steeb Community Council, and serves as a Student Experience and Engagement Delegate under the Dean of Student Life and as a representative on the Arts and Sciences Dean's Student Advisory Board. Sophia also serves on the Service and Advocacy Committee and Mentorship Committee for the Law and Society Scholars Program and is currently conducting research on student civil discourse through online forums and the potential for conductive conversations. Previously, she has served as a Civil Discourse Fellow and held a forum on the foreign aid responsibilities of developed nations. Sophia has always been interested in politics and economics and hopes to one day become a lawyer, which drove her to apply to be a Hertog at Humanities Fellow to learn about and discuss important political and ethical ideas. 

The Hertog Foundation offers several highly competitive and selective educational programs for outstanding individuals who seek to influence the intellectual, civic, and political life of the United States. One of the programs offered is the Humanities at Hertog Program, which is devoted to a rigorous and exemplary educational experience. These virtual seminars demonstrate that reading great books with others is compelling on its own terms through small classes of 10-15 peers who share a love of ideas guided by a passionate teacher. The courses offered through the Humanities program provide an opportunity not only to reflect on what great texts bring to bear on enduring questions, but also how to begin a community in conversation.

This spring, the Humanities at Hertog program is offering a course on The Writings of Booker T. Washington, which will delve into Washington’s writings to understand both his remarkable personal accomplishments and his redemptive moral vision and subtle statesmanship. Fellows will read a variety of texts and participate in rigorous academic seminars in order to gain a better understanding of statesmanship, society, and more, and Sophia is excited to be a part of this program and learn more!

Congratulations Sophia!