A fulfilling and valuable university experience goes beyond the paper diploma and the letters on a transcript. Recent Brigham Young University graduates Joshua Topham and Paul Guajardo achieved success in their educations as they focused on meaningful learning, making connections, and being grateful for their opportunities. The two graduates received a unique award — a scholarship to continue their educations at the University of Oxford.
The Barry Scholarship funds a minimum of two years of graduate study at the University of Oxford, a living stipend, travel allowance, research allowance, and reimbursement of application and visa fees. The scholarship cannot be applied for, rather it is awarded by a group of designated nominators.
Nominators seek out students who are dedicated to “academic vocation and the pursuit of truth.” BYU professor and Barry Scholarship nominator Paul Kerry said, “I have admired how both Joshua and Paul, throughout their BYU studies, have learned ‘out of the best books words of wisdom’ and how they ‘seek learning, even by study and also by faith’” (D&C 88:118).
Joshua Topham and Paul Guajardo shared how their BYU and life experiences prepared them to become Barry Scholars, and what they are looking forward to at their time at Oxford.
Joshua Topham
Topham graduated in American studies, Kennedy Center, with minors in history and political science. He will pursue a Master of Philosophy in Politics at the University College, University of Oxford. After his studies at Oxford, he will attend Yale Law School.
Topham spent the majority of high school in a single-parent household. He said, in high school, “I didn't take myself, my grades, or anything very seriously.” With his mom working and his home responsibilities, he stopped applying himself in school. He was denied acceptance to BYU when he first applied. He didn’t know if college was for him.
After high school, Topham served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Sierra Leone, Africa. His missionary service changed his outlook on life. In Sierra Leone, Topham saw extreme poverty and lack of opportunity. He witnessed how people were grateful despite their circumstances.
“I developed close, life-long relationships with people who I knew had little chance at learning how to read, let alone getting a formal education like the one I had. It broke my heart. It also revealed to me how blessed I was,” Topham said. “I didn’t come from a wealthy or well-connected family, but I knew, being an American, I had opportunities that my Sierra Leonean friends would do anything for.”
After a year at a different university, Topham transferred to BYU. Topham said he experienced imposter syndrome, unsure if he would do well in his classes. However, the mindset he developed in Sierra Leone led him through his education; gratitude was at the forefront of his mind. He was determined to make the most of the circumstances he was blessed with. Topham graduated in the top one percent of his class. He said his success in school was secondary to trying to learn the most he could from his classes.
“I don't think of myself as an especially gifted person, I just think of myself as someone who is grateful,” Topham said. “When you approach school through that lens it will make you work harder, it will make you a better classmate, and a better student.”
Topham's interest in constitutional history, theory, and the rule of law inspired him to major in American studies, minor in political science, and pursue law school. After Yale Law School, Topham has interest in becoming a professor or practitioner of law.
“I hope I can be someone who contributes to our constitutional tradition in the United States in a positive way,” Topham said.
At BYU, Topham was American studies student of the year, editor-in-chief of the BYU American studies student journal, Americana, and published four research papers.
Topham and his wife, Anna, are currently living in Taiwan while she studies Mandarin Chinese as a Boren Scholar. They will move to Oxford in the fall. When asked about his goals for the future, Topham emphasized his priorities.
“First and foremost, I want to be a good husband and father. I think that’s the number one goal for me,” Topham said.
Topham said receiving the Barry Scholarship to study at Oxford has been a life changing opportunity. He never envisioned himself as someone who would earn a full scholarship to Oxford and subsequently attend Yale Law School. Topham said the experiences will add depth to his development, and he looks forward to continuing to live abroad with his wife.
Topham shared his gratitude toward his professors for mentoring him throughout his undergrad and investing in his journey toward law school and receiving the Barry Scholarship.
After being nominated by Kerry, Topham submitted application materials to the Academic Committee of the Barry Scholarship with the help of the office of National Scholarship and Prestigious Fellowships. Topham expressed his gratitude towards the National Scholarship office, Kerry, and other BYU professors for reviewing and assisting with his application.
Kerry spoke on why he chose to nominate Topham for the Barry Scholarship.
“Joshua Topham displays an intellectual hunger that he fed by being a voracious reader who has eaten his way through the history of ideas, political theory, and American constitutional thought under the guidance of outstanding BYU professors and in the light of the Restoration,” Kerry said. “He possesses a work ethic to match and consistently chose to stretch himself and tackle complex and serious questions. He possesses an intellectual humility and actively seeks out feedback on his thinking and shows a consistent desire to improve his analytical skills.”
National Scholarships advisor Amy McLaughlin spoke on her experience working with Topham throughout the process of becoming a Barry Scholar.
“Josh is not only an outstanding and accomplished scholar, but also a warm, engaging, teachable person. He has made meaningful contributions in his many endeavors here at BYU, and I have no doubt he will do the same during his time at Oxford. He is a wonderful example of BYU’s motto, ‘Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve,’ and I look forward to seeing all that he will accomplish in the future,” McLaughlin said.
Paul Guajardo
Paul Guajardo will pursue the Master of Studies in Global and Imperial History at the University of Oxford. Guajardo, a BYU Honors student, graduated with a double major in English, College of Humanities and history, College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences.
After his first year at BYU, Guajardo spent two years in Mexico as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During his mission, Guajardo was immersed in the Mexican culture, a blend of European and indigenous influences, and the indigenous cultures. Guajardo said this opened his eyes to how different countries and cultures “deal with questions of the past.” These missionary experiences increased Guajardo’s interest in history.
When Guajardo returned to BYU after his missionary service, he wanted to use the Spanish he learned as a missionary and “dive into more questions of international history,” specifically looking at the Spanish empire. Guajardo developed an interest in Equatorial Guinea, Africa, what he described as a “forgotten country.” His senior capstone courses and honors thesis focused on the small Spanish-speaking country on the west coast of Africa.
During his undergraduate studies, Guajardo published research papers, presented at conferences, was a research assistant, teaching assistant, and a writing consultant. He taught a discussion-based course as president of the Student Association for Cultures and Languages Across the Curriculum.
“My time at BYU shaped me to look for opportunities, to be proactive, and to essentially create the type of curriculum you want,” Guajardo said. “To not be just a passive receiver of information, or go from class to class because you have to, but rather to take things you’re interested in, and then go the extra mile and apply it.”
Guajardo views education as character building and a way to become a better version of oneself, rather than just memorizing facts and figures. He shared his advice to university students to be involved and enjoy the university education.
“The university is an excellent place to meet like-minded people. Take advantage of your time with students at BYU,” Guajardo said. “If you have to take time away from the books to go to lunch with a friend, or to a club, or to a class meeting for a test, I would do that. I would not diminish the value of cultivating relationships, just like you cultivate yourself.”
Guajardo met his wife, Keslie, while they were both working at the Research and Writing Center on campus. He emphasized the importance of the people he met at BYU, and shared he hopes to be “the type of person that can focus on people first.”
Guajardo is excited to be surrounded by Oxford’s rich history and great books. What he looks forward to most is meeting and interacting with the people at Oxford.
Receiving the Barry Scholarship gave Guajardo a sense of gratitude and humility, wanting to make the most of the opportunity to study at Oxford, knowing many people would like the chance to study at the university. The scholarship emphasized to Guajardo the importance of making meaningful connections, as the connections Guajardo made at BYU were instrumental in his journey to becoming a Barry Scholar.
“The importance of people is really at the heart of it all. You could be a great scholar, you could be a brilliant person in any field, but it’s when you get together with other people the opportunities arise,” Guajardo said.
Guajardo described his professors at BYU as great mentors and role models. He was impressed by the interest his professors took in supporting their students.
Kerry spoke on his experience working with Guajardo at BYU, and why he chose to nominate Guajardo for the Barry Scholarship.
“Paul Guajardo has built methodically on his knowledge in history and literature and has excelled as a student of history. He is in earnest about scriptural invitations to seek truth and he has learned to evaluate different sources of information thoughtfully and this has helped to shape him into an independent thinker,” Kerry said. “He is always willing to engage in joyful conversations about the great questions of life and there is a winsome quality in his intellectual enquiries that keeps his thinking fresh and imaginative.”
Barry scholarship nomination
BYU professor Paul Kerry is part of a network of designated Barry Scholarship nominators at universities across Britain and the United States. Kerry submitted Topham and Guajardo’s names to the Academic Committee of the Canterbury Institute. The Barry Scholarship is an initiative of Oxford’s Canterbury Institute. After being nominated, Guajardo and Topham submitted application materials to the Academic Committee. After reviewing their applications, the committee then offered Barry Scholarships to the two BYU students, conditional on their individual application and admission to the University of Oxford.
The Barry Scholarship offers a singularly unique experience to students as they pursue truth and academic vocation by receiving higher education and the University of Oxford. Topham and Guajardo will both “go forth and serve” as they pursue their studies in England.