Meg Walsh, BA ’84, was a dedicated alumna, passionate explorer of the world, and, as treasurer and vice president of Lucent Technologies, a true leader in the global community. This award, established in her memory by her family, classmates, and the Second Decade Society, will provide opportunities to develop the qualities of independent intellectual inquiry, global perspective, and leadership that Meg Walsh exemplified.

The Second Decade Society/Florence “Meg” Long Walsh Leadership Award provides a graduating senior from the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences with $32,000 to undertake an independent project of their own unique design involving international travel. The award affords the opportunity for a promising Hopkins graduate to focus on an independent project that explores the student’s own interests and abilities, test their knowledge and assumptions in a broader international context, and develop leadership skills. Projects may be in any area, including public service, creative or artistic, research—whatever the applicant desires. The project may not, however, include extended study at a foreign university.

To Apply

Applications require two essays (one describing the proposed project, the other the applicant’s leadership accomplishments), a budget and timeline, a CV/resume, two letters of recommendation, and an unofficial transcript. Selected finalists must be available to be interviewed.

Proposed Project 

Describe your plan for the 12-month fellowship year and provide a proposed project title in 1,200 or fewer words that includes the following:

• Describe your proposed project and how you intend to carry it out.
• Identify the elements in your background that will enable you to execute this project.
• How does this project reflect your talents, concerns, and vision for your future including how you would benefit from this unique opportunity?
• Why is this project important to you and others?

Leadership 

Describe the activities or initiatives you have developed as a student that have made a difference in the Hopkins and/or wider community in 1,200 or fewer words that includes the following:

• How has your leadership contributed to the establishment of a new program or transformed an existing program?
• How has this accomplishment raised the profile of the University in the greater community?
• How will this initiative continue upon your graduation?

Two Letters of Recommendation

Letters should address your ability to pursue the proposed project and your leadership. Meg Walsh Award recommendation letters must accompany your application upon submission and may be submitted from faculty, administrators or the directors of programs in which you were involved.

Recent Meg Walsh Awardees’ Projects

Exploring Prevalence and Psychiatric Factors for OCD and Related Disorders in a Japanese Population
Daniel Park ’24, Psychology

Vienna General Hospital: a literary novel told from the perspective of a young, female midwife in 1840s Vienna
Ellie Rose Mattoon ’23, Molecular and Cellular Biology and Public Health Studies major; Writing Seminars minor