The $2,000 fellowship, established by family and friends of 2004 graduate James Robert (“Jim Bob”) Andrews, is designed to assist Southwestern graduates in their first year of postgraduate study.

Bell says of the award, “As students committed to lifelong learning, we commit ourselves to intellectual curiosity, courage and determination. All of these qualities were exemplified by former SU student James Robert Andrews. I am honored by the generosity of the Andrews family and intend to fund my Ph. D. program in Political Science with the (award).”

Andrews was a political science major and communication studies minor at Southwestern, as well as a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. As a student, he worked as an intern on the House Ways and Means Committee in Washington, D.C. and at the CBI on Parliamentary Affairs in London. Prior to starting law school at Tulane University in the fall of 2005, Andrews spent a year in Karamay, Xinjiang, People’s Republic of China, teaching conversational English to Chinese students. After safely evacuating from New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, Andrews was in a diving accident that resulted in a spinal cord injury; while making tremendous strides in rehabilitation, he died suddenly due to medical complications.

The Fellowship named for Andrews is designed to assist Southwestern graduates in their quest to earn a graduate degree, and is intended for the first year of postgraduate study.

Associate Professor of English and Director of National Fellowships & Scholarships David Gaines says, “In a field of incredibly strong and accomplished graduates who responded to the Andrews family’s generous gift in memory of Jim Bob, Elizabeth stood out as a remarkable scholar, an impressive student leader, and future change agent. All committee members feel certain that she will do Jim Bob’s memory and her Southwestern education proud.”

Bell plans to study political science at the University of Oklahoma and pursue career in politics, with a focus on educational policy. She says her dream is “to serve as a representative for the people of the United States” and believes “governmental guidance and leadership is the principal way to fight for meaningful change.”

Additional information about this and other fellowship and scholarship opportunities at Southwestern can be found here.