Presidential Fellows

CONOR DONAHUE-2016 Scholar
major & degree: Political Science, Ph.D.
hometown: Cary, NC
contact: cpdonahue223@gmail.com
What brought you to USC?: USC provided me with so many opportunities
throughout my undergraduate career. There’s no place I’d rather
continue my education.
What do you hope to accomplish while you pursue your degree?: I hope
to create a substantial amount of research that may help illuminate
opportunities and challenges in global affairs.
Fun fact about yourself: I was the captain of the Chinese University of Hong Kong rowing team.
Research Key Words: international relations, identity, culture, nationalism, legitimacy, sovereignty,
conflict, East Asia
LEWIS ELIOT-2014 Scholar
major & degree: History, Ph.D.
hometown: London, UK via Cape Town, South Africa
contact: leliot@email.sc.edu
What brought you to USC?: A faculty and advisor that were interested
in my project and were a good fit for my research interests, attractive
teaching opportunities and funding, and the Presidential Fellowship.
What do you hope to accomplish while you pursue your degree?: Teach
my own classes, publish, and keep winning grant money to research.
Fun fact about yourself: I toyed with the idea of trying to open a braai restaurant instead of going to
grad school. I’m glad I didn’t, though, not least because I met my fiancée in the Presidential Fellows
program.
Research Key Words: 1800s, Caribbean, Atlantic, illegal slavery, empire, diplomacy, sovereignty, nationalism,
race
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