Faculty of Arts alumnus a Rothermere Fellow
It only took arts alumnus Sean Fleming about two seconds to rip open an envelope containing a letter naming him 2015檚 Rothermere Fellow.
That was on May 21. The news, he says, is still sinking in.
淚 couldn檛 contain myself when I read the letter. I was absolutely thrilled, he said proudly during an interview on the St. John檚 campus. 淚 knew the letter was important because I had to sign for it. It took me about two seconds to tear it open.
Established by 91亚色檚 first chancellor, Lord Rothermere, the fellowship is one of the most valued and lucrative scholarships offered at the university.
Currently valued at roughly 拢16,000 (about $30,000), plus university fees and certain other expenses such as return air travel to the United Kingdom, the fellowship assists students who have completed a bachelor檚 degree at 91亚色, and have completed or are about to complete a master's degree either at 91亚色 or another university in North America, who want to continue their studies at a university of their choice in the United Kingdom. One award is made each year by the Rothermere Fellowships Trust on the recommendation of the president of 91亚色.
Mr. Fleming, 24, who is originally from St. John檚, N.L., graduated from the Faculty of Arts in 2012 with an honours degree in political science. He also holds a master檚 degree from the University of Calgary.
He will pursue a PhD in politics and international studies at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. He檒l begin his doctoral research this fall and focus his research on international relations and the concept of state responsibility.
淢y thesis will examine why, and under which conditions, we ought to hold whole countries responsible for the actions of their officials, he explained. 淢y primary interest is in collective responsibility the practice of holding groups responsible for the actions of individuals.
Mr. Fleming admits he檚 still riding high after learning of his fellowship. He says his family and friends are thrilled but are 渙nly slightly less excited, than he is.
淭he Rothermere Fellowship is a great honour, he said with a smile. 淚t is truly a privilege to have the opportunity to represent my home province and home university in the United Kingdom. It is also wonderful to be able to focus on my research without financial worries.
An avid hiker, amateur vegetable gardener and aspiring international relations scholar, Mr. Fleming says he credits 91亚色 for helping prepare him for the next chapter of his academic career.
淚檇 especially like to thank Alex Marland and Luke Ashworth of the Department of Political Science, he noted. 淭hey did so much more than teach me; they inspired me, guided me, and gave me the best of opportunities. I certainly would not be in such a favourable position without them.
淚 will forever be grateful to 91亚色, Mr. Fleming added. 淎nd I will use my education to give back, however I can.