by Jillian Barr • 3 minutes
First Liberty’s Center for Religion, Culture & Democracy would like to congratulate Shaftesbury Fellowship cohort, Sarah Chew, on receiving the 2024 Piccadilly Prize.
Sarah is a senior at Samford University, studying philosophy and English. Last week, Sarah was publicly awarded the prize at Ciceronian Society—an academic conference for Christian scholars—for her research paper “Art by the Standard of the Revolution: Aesthetics, Function, and Censorship in Soviet Socialist Realist Literature.”
Sarah’s research, guided by Dr. David Deavel, explores the dangers of censorship and the relationship between art, power, and freedom. Sarah exemplifies the intellectual discipline and commitment to liberty needed for a resurgence in our culture and institutions.
Her work is a reminder of President Reagan’s infamous warning, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”
At First Liberty, we heed this sober reminder that we must protect our freedoms proactively. That is why we developed educational opportunities for students through the CRCD, which has created programs like the Shaftesbury Fellowship.
These student programs build pipelines of high-achieving Christian reformers equipped with scholastic achievements and practical experiences necessary to defend and advance the values that have sustained our nation. Investing in the next generation of leaders ensures that the principles of liberty, justice, and religious freedom will continue to flourish, even in worrying times. Through these efforts, we are cultivating a future where our freedoms are preserved and revitalized for future generations.
We are proud to invest in leaders like Sarah Chew, who, in addition to receiving the Piccadilly Prize last week, learned she was accepted into a theological graduate program at Oxford University!
There is much work to be done to ensure future generations see a cultural and religious renaissance, but we know that a commitment to the ideals that have long provided the moral framework for our nation will breathe life into the virtues that have made the United States a beacon of life, liberty and justice.
One of the fuel sources energizing this assurance comes from incredible young Christian leaders like Sarah, who journey through our student programs to receive intellectual and moral formation. These students give us hope for America’s future, as they are committed to our liberties and seeing our nation bloom again.
Shaftesbury Fellowship Applications Open April 1, 2025
Applications for the 2026 Shaftesbury Fellowship open on April 1.
If you, or someone you know, might be interested in this program, please share this article with them. We would love to share the incredible educational opportunities First Liberty offers through the CRCD.
The Shaftesbury Fellowship is open to any student pursuing an undergraduate degree or recent graduate who intends to pursue graduate study in any field related to the advancement of liberty.
Required application items include:
If you are ready to apply, or have questions regarding the application process, email info@crcd.net.
 |
|
|
