05/04/2026
Congratulations to our two winners of the 2026 Ferguson Blair Scholarship in Publishing.
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Veda Kalidindi â26
âFor as long as I can remember, I have been interested in a career that would allow me to help shape the stories being told and the books being published. However, it was not until coming to William & Mary and attending the Ferguson Blair seminar that I thought this dream could actually be a reality. Being awarded the Ferguson Blair Scholarship will allow me the opportunity to attend the Columbia Publishing Course this summer, where I look forward to exploring different careers within the industry, networking with publishing professionals, and developing more practical industry skills. I am honored and grateful for the support of the selections committee and the Ferguson and Blair families for making this opportunity possible.â
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Annabel Phoel â26
âI believe in the power of books to break down barriers, build empathy, champion nuance,
and foster connection among people. A role in the publishing industry will enable me to
contribute to that power and shape future books. I will use the Ferguson-Blair Scholarship to attend a publishing course that will further my understanding of the industry, complete with applied experience and essential connections that may help me secure a job. Iâm incredibly grateful to William & Mary and the Ferguson-Blair Scholarship for opening doors to this competitive industry for me!â