John David Fernandez, a student at Columbia University, was an intellectually curious and principled advocate of liberty who passed away in January of 2010 due to complications from pneumonia. Published in the Columbia Spectator and Mises.org, he was known as an ardent defender of private property rights who never hesitated to challenge the assumptions of his peers. David was a long-time student of the Austrian School of Economics and Mises University, where he forged friendships with important figures in the liberty movement. In 2009, he was elected the Vice President of the Columbia University Libertarians and quickly helped them become one of the top libertarian campus groups. In this capacity, he helped put together the inaugural Ivy League Alliance For Liberty Conference and was also essential in organizing the 2009 New York Students For Liberty Conference, which brought over 100 students together to explore topics in liberty.
The John David Fernandez Annual Scholarship is Students For Liberty’s memorial to David’s passion for liberty. This yearly scholarship is awarded to the student who has best demonstrated a deep engagement with ideas in liberty and actively sought to advance liberty amongst his peers.
The scholarship provides a $100 travel stipend to Students For Liberty’s annual International Conference in February and waives the registration fee to this conference. The stipend will be provided via a reimbursement for travel expenses. The deadline to apply is January 31st, and any enrolled student is eligible.
The John David Fernandez Scholarship Application Form
If you would like to support the John David Fernandez Annual Scholarship, please consider making a donation to the scholarship by donating here. Here are some testimonials of those who have already contributed to the scholarship:
Dr. Tom Palmer, member of Students For Liberty’s Board of Advisors: “This young man can never be replaced, but his passion for liberty can live on, transmitted to other young people. I’m pleased to sponsor a scholarship in his name.”
Alexander McCobin, President of Students For Liberty: “This scholarship is not something that ought to be supported, but a project that will carry on a fellow student for liberty’s quest for justice and freedom when he can no longer do so himself, by inspiring and supporting other students like John David.”
