Three students from Florida State University — Jonus Goldstein, Max Harden, and Matthew John Aguilera — have been designated 2025 Humanities at Hertog Fellows, chosen from a select group of students from prestigious institutions.
The Humanities at Hertog Fellowship, an esteemed and innovative program facilitated by FSU’s Office of National Fellowships, offers a fully funded initiative that allows fellows to engage in intense academic exploration through online workshops and summer sessions in the humanities, law, and global affairs.
In the spring 2025 term, the Hertog Fellows took part in a six-week online workshop centered around Thucydides’ “History of the Peloponnesian War.”
“We are tremendously proud of these students for being recognized as Humanities at Hertog Fellows,” stated Ryan Owens, director of FSU’s Institute for Governance and Civics. “This acknowledgment underscores FSU’s dedication to academic distinction and highlights the significance of studying subjects such as Western civilization and the foundational ideas of America.”
Jonus Goldstein, a sophomore hailing from New Port Richey, Florida, is pursuing a dual degree in management information systems and political science, with a minor in urban and regional planning.
At FSU, Goldstein demonstrates exceptional civic leadership. He is involved in student government, works part-time as a legislative aide at the Florida Senate, and serves as an Institute Assistant at the Institute for Governance and Civics. Additionally, he completed fellowships through FSU’s Sustainable Campus, leading projects related to solar and electric vehicle infrastructure.
Competing against peers from institutions like Yale and Stanford, he credited FSU’s assistance in achieving the Hertog Fellowship.
“Having faculty and staff who dedicate time to mentor students, connect us with opportunities, and encourage us to ‘go for this’ makes a significant impact,” Goldstein expressed.
Goldstein highlighted the intellectual development he gained throughout the fellowship via profound, collaborative dialogues with colleagues from diverse academic fields.
“The most rewarding aspect is the depth of insight everyone contributes,” Goldstein noted. “You have participants from entirely different academic backgrounds interpreting the same text, each leaving with unique perspectives. Just by listening, you find yourself reconsidering your own perspectives. It fosters a setting where you communicate not merely to be acknowledged, but to comprehend.”
He also appreciates Hertog’s extensive alumni network comprising 1,900 members.
“I aspire that in the future, we’ll see multiple students representing FSU annually and that this kind of demanding, civic-minded programming becomes a pursuit our students actively seek,” he stated.
Max Harden, a junior from Tampa, Florida, is a dual major in economics and philosophy, alongside a minor in classics. He serves as a student assistant at FSU’s Institute for Governance and Civics and is a researcher at the DeVoe L. Moore Center, with a focus on aerospace and labor economics.
“These workshops are exceptional as they allow us to expand upon our FSU education in stimulating ways,” Harden commented. “Thucydides’ narrative explores human nature amidst war and throughout history, considering economics, politics, philosophy, and international relations. We have the opportunity to pose interdisciplinary queries and seek comprehensive responses within a committed community.”
At FSU, Harden is part of the Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) program under Assistant Teaching Professor Doug Norton, which provides students with analytical abilities for opportunities like Hertog. He also acknowledges professors Sam Staley and Randall Holcombe from the Department of Economics as well as Mark LeBar from the Department of Philosophy for their investment in his educational development both in and out of the classroom.
“FSU students are equipped with intellectual tools to engage with scholars and top students nationwide by transcending disciplinary barriers to explore fundamental inquiries,” Harden stated. “The PPE program cultivates a distinct ability to connect ideas across disciplines, adequately preparing students to address complex issues with clarity and insight.”
Harden eagerly anticipates witnessing more FSU students capitalize on programs like Hertog while he continues exploring the intersection of political theory and real-world policymaking.
“I wish for more FSU students to engage in Hertog’s demanding workshops,” Harden expressed. “I am immensely grateful to my professors for their investment in my development as a student, thinker, and individual. Because of them, this summer I’ll be embarking on an economic policy internship that includes interdisciplinary discussion groups.”
Matthew John Aguilera“`html
is a senior political science student from Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
His academic journey at FSU has been characterized by a profound involvement with political science and global affairs, leveraging opportunities like the Hertog Fellowship to advance his education in this area.
“I chose to apply to the program because I was intrigued by the concept of examining certain timeless principles of warfare and governance — what Thucydides aimed to encapsulate in his writings, which he described as ‘a possession for all time,’ not merely ‘to gain the applause of the moment,’” Aguilera expressed. “These teachings continue to be pertinent to contemporary international relations and politics.”
Currently, Aguilera is interning with the Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C., and plans to enroll in the Van Andel Graduate School of Statesmanship at Hillsdale College to pursue a master’s degree in politics this fall.
He appreciates the chance to engage with Hertog’s vibrant academic community and anticipates leveraging these insights in his forthcoming studies.
“I strongly advocate for the fellowship to anyone with a keen interest in the humanities and a dedication to intellectual rigor,” he stated.
For information about fellowship opportunities, visit onf.fsu.edu.
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