Carleton Grad to Pursue Doctorate at Johns Hopkins

David Williams, a 2014 graduate of Carleton College, will pursue a Ph.D. in philosophy this fall at Johns Hopkins University. He is the recipient of the Johns Hopkins’ Posse Graduate Fellowship and the Beineke Scholarship, both highly competitive awards that provide substantial scholarships for graduate study.

After completing his doctorate, David plans to become a philosophy professor. With a deep connection to his hometown of Chicago, he hopes to teach individuals from his community—the Bronzeville, Woodlawn and Englewood neighborhoods—who may not be familiar with the discipline.

“Philosophy can help people think more critically about themselves and how they are motivated,” says David. “If I could teach this to my community, it would be a very compelling reason to return to Chicago.”

At Carleton, David majored in philosophy and served as a resident advisor for three years and was co-president of the student photography club. David is also passionate about French language and culture, and since his semester in Paris, has taught workshops to his residents on how to make croissants.

David is grateful to Posse for providing him with the opportunity to pursue an education at Carleton—a campus that encouraged him to further explore his many interests.

“Winning the Posse Scholarship was one of my happiest moments,” says David. “I always tell people that my head began to hurt because I couldn’t stop smiling. At that moment, it meant everything. It meant that I’d be safe for the next four years. I will never forget that feeling of relief, excitement and pure joy.”