Madison Reporter

Felicity Klingele, a recent graduate from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, has achieved the distinction of being awarded the Barry Scholarship. This is a prestigious academic award that acknowledges a student's commitment to academic pursuits and seeking truth. The scholarship, which commenced in 2019, covers the complete cost of at least two years of graduate studies at the University of Oxford. Importantly, the Barry Scholarship is not applied for through the usual application process; instead, it is conferred by academics based on nominations from prominent academic institutions in the UK and the US. This year, there are 14 recipients, with Klingele being the first student from UW–Madison to receive the honor.

Julie Stubbs, the director of UW’s Office of Undergraduate Academic Awards, congratulated Klingele stating, “Congratulations to Felicity on this remarkable and well-deserved honor. During her undergraduate career here, Felicity stood out for her academic excellence, her innovative contributions to campus life and her ethical leadership on multiple issues. We’re so proud that she’s our first Barry Scholarship winner.”

During her time at UW–Madison, Klingele, who graduated Phi Beta Kappa in December with degrees in psychology and philosophy, contributed significantly to the university community. She founded several groups including the Madison Philosophical Society, the St. Dymphna Society, and the Siena Scholars. Her dedication to ethics was evident through her involvement with the UW–Madison Police Advisory Board and the Diocesan Board for the Office of Human Life and Dignity for the Catholic Diocese of Madison. At Oxford, Klingele plans to investigate the connections between the philosophy of education and virtue ethics, as well as explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and human flourishing. Presently, she is volunteering at Casa Juan Diego in Houston, Texas.

The Barry Scholarship is funded by the John and Daria Barry Foundation and carried out by the Canterbury Institute in Oxford, which fosters rediscovery of the academic vocation.