For release
December 1, 2004
Former cadet named Fulbright Scholar
Patrick Reilly, a 2004 graduate of The Citadel, has been named a Fulbright
Scholar and will study the ongoing initiatives in electronic government,
known as e-government, in New Zealand. Foreign study began to interest
Reilly as he saw the potential to see other parts of the world and to
develop an understanding for people of different cultures. Reilly is
the second cadet of the class of 2004 to be selected for a Fulbright.
Cadet Jeffrey Cunningham is currently studying the influence of the
Jewish philosopher Hermann Cohen at Marburg University in Germany.
Reilly, a resident of Boston, N.Y., was commander of first battalion, a Summerall Guard, an Honors Program graduate and a member of the 2004 Honor Committee. He majored in computer science and was named first honor graduate of his class for earning the highest cumulative grade point average. He is currently enrolled in the master of engineering program in computer science at Cornell University in New York.
In January, Reilly will begin his Fulbright study in New Zealand, postponing work on his master's degree at Cornell. He will examine developments in electronic government and how technology can make governments more efficient by providing services and information via the Internet. Reilly believes that his research will help with the development of applications to advance governmental use of technology in the United States.
“New Zealand is one of many countries at the forefront of this rapidly growing field, and unique characteristics make it well-suited for such a study,” said Reilly.
Col. Jack Rhodes, English professor and director of The Citadel’s Honor’s Program, was pleased to learn Reilly was chosen for the Fulbright honor.
“Since he was a freshman, Pat has shown a significant appetite for learning. His major in computer science gave him the technical background to conduct a Fulbright project in New Zealand in e-government, while his experience in Washington, D.C., for a semester gave him the political background,” said Rhodes. “In a variety of ways, he positioned himself carefully and intelligently to be an outstanding candidate for the Fulbright. I can't think of a more deserving winner.”
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