Senior Alexander Fullman has been awarded a prestigious Marshall Scholarship, one of the most coveted honors an American undergraduate can receive.
Fullman, 22, has maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average while pursuing a bachelor's degree in political science at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and a minor in communication law and media policy at USC Annenberg.
Fullman plans to attend the University of Oxford in fall 2013 to earn a master of philosophy in comparative government. He is a graduate of Harvard-Westlake School in Studio City, Calif.
"Alex is one of the most intelligent, imaginative, dedicated and ambitious students I have ever taught — at the undergraduate level or in law school,” said USC Provost Elizabeth Garrett, who provided a recommendation for the award.
As a student leader, Fullman revived the USC Journal of Law and Society and served as its editor-in-chief. He also served as president of the Blackstonians Pre-Law Honor Society and vice president for the USC Hillel Center for Jewish Life. He has demonstrated concern for global communities as a University Fellow for Jewish World Watch, an organization that spreads awareness of genocide and mass atrocities.
"Becoming a Marshall Scholar gives me an incredible opportunity to explore the United Kingdom and study at one of the world’s great universities,” Fullman said. “I am grateful for the support of so many people throughout the university and my family and friends. I’ve benefited from the extraordinary education, opportunities and rich intellectual environment offered by the university."
The Marshall scholarships were established by the British government in 1953 to thank the United States for assistance received after World War II under the Marshall Plan. A maximum of 40 scholarships are awarded each year to U.S. students to provide two fully-funded years of graduate study, with a possible third year extension, at any accredited university in the United Kingdom.
At Oxford, Fullman plans to combine his interest in campaign finance structures with his experience in comparative analysis to study the election law systems of the United Kingdom and the United States, including regulation of expenditures as well as contributions, disclosure statutes and the impact of technology.
Fullman became the eighth USC student to become a Marshall Scholar since the first Trojan was awarded the honor in 1969.
“Alex has travelled to all seven continents. From his travels, he has developed cultural literacy and global awareness that will provide a valuable perspective he can bring to his ambassadorial role as a Marshall Scholar," said Noosha Malek, director of academic and international fellowships at USC.
From the outset of his freshman year, Fullman designed a challenging program of study to prepare for a career in public service as a practitioner and professor of law. He plans to attend law school upon completing his studies abroad as a Marshall Scholar.
In recognition of his work in political science, he was selected by the university in 2011 to participate in the Presidential Fellows Program at the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress. His year-long fellowship research project concerned the landmark Supreme Court campaign finance case of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, and his paper was one of 20 selected for publication in The Fellows Review.
Fullman, a Trustee Scholar, is also a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the Mortar Board National Honor Society, and the Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science National Honor Society.
