University of Notre Dame sophomores Laura Lindsley, a Program of Liberal Studies major from Charlotte, N.C., and Octavia Ratiu, a pre-professional studies and liberal studies major from Austin, Texas, have been named Lee and Ramona Bass Western Civilization Scholars by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI).
Lindsley and Ratiu, who are among 50 honors fellows selected as “the nation’s most talented undergraduates” to participate in a yearlong program of educational enrichment, recently attended a weeklong ISI conference in Qubec City, Canada, titled “Civilization and Civilizations: The West in Context.” The conference, which examined how Western civilization relates to and differs from other civilizations, allowed participants to engage in debate and discussion with faculty mentors who teach in the humanities and social sciences at numerous colleges and universities.
Throughout the coming academic year, Lindsley and Ratiu will receive continuing direction from faculty mentors through participation in seminars and on-line discussions, as well as professional assistance including information on internships, job opportunities, graduate and professional programs and related issues. They will attend an ISI Career Development Seminar to help prepare for future positions of leadership and will receive a large collection of free books and journals.
Founded in 1953, ISI works “to educate for liberty” to identify the best and brightest college students and to nurture in them the American ideal of ordered liberty.
Originally published by at newsinfo.nd.edu on July 18, 2008.