»Vernon Smith Fellowship

Congratulations to the first cohort of Vernon Smith Fellows! You can learn more about them below.


The Smith Institute for Political Economy and Philosophy is pleased to introduce the Vernon Smith Fellowship for undergraduate students. Applications for the 2025 Vernon Smith Fellowship are now closed. Please check back here for future updates about the fellowship.

The Vernon Smith Fellows Program is a highly selective fellowship program for undergraduate students at Chapman University who are passionate about scholarship at the intersection of economics and the humanities. Vernon Smith Fellows will receive a $1,000 fellowship.*

The ideal candidate is:

  • A highly motivated and intellectually curious student with a strong academic record.
  • Interested in exploring the intersection of economics, philosophy, literature and other disciplines. 
  • Eager to engage in lively discussions and debates with peers and faculty. 
  • Committed to intellectual growth and personal development.  
  • Open-minded and willing to challenge their assumptions. 
  • Excited to participate and learn in a vibrant intellectual community. 

Eligibility Criteria:

Expectations:

Vernon Smith Fellows will:

  • Regularly attend and participate in Smith Institute events (e.g. Film Forum, Lecture Series, etc.)
  • Occasionally help organize and plan student-centered events
  • Serve as an ambassador to other students and help to grow the community of scholars at the Smith Institute
  • Be featured on the Smith Institute website with a photo and short bio

 

*Funds awarded are considered financial aid and may impact previously received awards.

 

For questions regarding the fellowship, please contact Professor Erik Kimbrough (ekimbrou@chapman.edu).


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2025 Fellows

bug-massie-headshotBug Massie

Class of 2028

Bug Massie is a 2D Animation Major with a Humanomics minor. Their curiosity and passion for character driven storytelling has inspired them to dive into the intersection of literature, philosophy, and economics to better understand the underlying phenomena that drive society and the complex people within it.Some of their favorite works so far have been The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga, Civilization and its Discontents by Sigmund Freud, and TheElements of Justice by David Schmidtz.   

carol-liddle-headshotCarol Liddle

Class of 2026

Carol Liddle is a Philosophy and Film Studies double major at Chapman with a minor in English. She expects to graduate in Spring 2026. Carol is interested in Humanomics because it exposes the common questions that economics, philosophy, and literature are all trying to answer, and allows for a forum to consider the implications of those connections with other people. Carol's favorite texts that she has read in Humanomics courses are Aeschylus' Bacchae and Virgil's The Aeneid.

diana-frenkel-headshotDiana Frenkel

Class of 2026

Diana Frenkel is a Writing for Film and Television major with a minor in Humanomics, expected to graduate from Chapman University in May 2026. She is passionate about exploring the intersections of economics, philosophy, and literature, believing that these fields are essential to understanding humanity and finding ways to build a more just and thriving society. What Diana loves most about studying Humanomics is that it examines how economics shapes — and is shaped by — culture, morals, and human values. Some of her favorite works from her courses include Inventing the Individual by Larry Siedentop, The Witcher by Andrzej Sapkowski, Bourgeois Virtues by Deirdre McCloskey, and Persecution and Toleration: The Long Road to Religious Freedom by Mark Koyama and Noel D. Johnson. 

juliana-jordan-headshotJuliana Jordan

Class of 2027

Juliana Jordan is a sophomore double majoring in Physics and Philosophy with a minor in Electrical Engineering. On campus, she enjoys engaging in discussions, pursuing research, and connecting with friends and family. In Juliana's free time, she loves a good book and a cup of tea.