October 14, 2025

A Message from the Executive Director

By ADAM HOWARD
As Executive Director of the International Churchill Society (ICS), one of my greatest privileges is seeing how our work continues to inspire new generations. Our members and supporters are united by admiration for Winston Churchill’s extraordinary life and achievements, but also by something broader: a belief that history matters—not only for understanding the past, but for guiding the future.

That is why our Churchill Research Fellowships through the National Churchill Leadership Center, a program we operate in partnership with The George Washington University, are so important. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we have been able to provide graduate and undergraduate students with opportunities to conduct original research at archives and meet with experts around the world. Their work often centers on Churchill himself, but it also extends to subjects that are Churchill-adjacent—topics that illuminate the world he inhabited, the causes he championed, and the lessons he drew from history. In this way, the fellowships embody the spirit of applied history that Churchill himself so valued: learning from the past to better understand the challenges of the present. ICS has invested its mission revenue in this endeavor, and we hope to grow this with your support.

Applied History in Action
One of the best illustrations of this principle is the fellowship experience of Billy Mayer, a former Churchill Research Fellow. Billy pursued a master’s degree in diplomacy and military studies at Hawaii Pacific University, where fellowship support enabled him to travel to the Churchill Archives Centre in Cambridge, the American National Churchill Museum in Fulton, Chartwell in Kent, and the Churchill War Rooms in London. His thesis focused on Churchill’s heroes and role models—the figures from politics, literature, and military life who shaped Churchill’s worldview and leadership style.

This kind of research is precisely what makes applied history so vital. By understanding who Churchill admired and studied, we better grasp how he himself turned to the past as a guide. He saw in the examples of figures like Napoleon, Clemenceau, and Nelson, lessons about resilience, ambition, and statesmanship. Billy’s work helps us see not just Churchill the man, but also the intellectual lineage of leadership that informed him.

But applied history extends beyond Churchill. Fellows have explored an array of topics that Churchill himself would have cared about deeply. By broadening the scope of inquiry, the fellowship program ensures that our students are not confined to Churchill biography alone but instead are equipped to consider the wider historical currents that shaped—and continue to shape—our world.

From Fellowship to Leadership
Billy’s story also demonstrates the real-world impact of these fellowships. After completing his degree, he went on to serve at the U.S. Department of State, where I had the privilege of working with him during my tenure as the Department’s chief historian. His work there has been exceptional, marked by the same curiosity, rigor, and commitment he demonstrated throughout his fellowship research.

As Billy himself reflected: “My experience with the NCLC Churchill Research Fellowship was monumental. Had I not been awarded such a generous opportunity to further research Churchill’s leadership paradigm through immersive travel, I may never have escaped the wilderness or shaped my finest hour. I give endless gratitude to those who contributed to make this opportunity possible.”

Billy’s path underscores what your support makes possible. Donors to the fellowship program did more than sponsor a student project. They invested in the development of a historian who has enriched our understanding of Churchill, gone on to serve the public, and brings historical perspective to the practice of diplomacy.

In fact, Billy’s work will soon be shared with the ICS community directly. A chapter of his thesis on Churchill’s heroes and role models will be published in Finest Hour, allowing all of you who supported the fellowship program to see the tangible results of your generosity.

Why Fellowships Matter
Churchill once observed that “the longer you can look back, the farther you can look forward.” Our fellowship program reflects that conviction. By supporting students in their research—whether directly about Churchill or about subjects he would have recognized as vital—we enable them to look back with fresh eyes and carry those insights into the future.

Fellowships also cultivate the next generation of leadership for ICS and beyond. Students who participate in these programs are not only developing expertise; they are joining a community of people who understand that history is not static. It must be applied, tested, and reinterpreted for each new era. When you support a fellowship, you are helping to create leaders who can carry Churchill’s spirit of inquiry and resilience into new domains.

The Need for Renewed Support
While the fellowship program has produced remarkable results, I must share candidly that our current funding is almost gone. Without new contributions or increased revenue, we will not be able to provide any opportunities for future students. That means fewer chances for young historians to pursue their research, fewer opportunities to strengthen our collective knowledge, and fewer voices carrying Churchill’s legacy into new arenas of leadership and service.

If you have supported the fellowships in the past, thank you. Your generosity has already made a measurable difference in the lives of former students like Billy Mayer. But I ask you to consider renewing that support—or, if you have not given before, to join us now in sustaining this vital initiative. With your help, we can ensure that the Churchill Research Fellowships continue to thrive and expand, equipping the next generation with the tools of applied history.

Looking Ahead
As ICS continues to expand its programs—through conferences, publications, and public outreach—the Churchill Research Fellowships will remain a cornerstone of our mission. They ensure that we are not only preserving Churchill’s history but also advancing the broader cause of historical inquiry that Churchill himself practiced.

I invite you to continue supporting these fellowships. Each act of generosity helps a student pursue research, enriches our collective knowledge, and ensures that the legacy of Churchill—and the lessons of history more broadly—remain vibrant for generations to come.

Let Us Go Forward Together
Winston Churchill believed that history was not merely to be admired but to be used. He himself practiced applied history throughout his life, studying the past to prepare for the future. The Churchill Research Fellowships reflect that same spirit. They are not just about Churchill—they are about the questions, causes, and values that mattered to him and that continue to shape our world.
By supporting these fellowships, you are investing in the next generation of historians, leaders, and citizens who will ensure that history continues to speak to the challenges of today. That is a legacy worthy of Churchill—and of all of us who admire him.

Dr. Adam Howard is the Executive Director of the International Churchill Society.