Susan McWilliams, a graduate student in the politics department, appeared on ABC's "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" on Wednesday and won $50,000 in prize money.
McWilliams breezed through the first seven questions, winning her first $8,000 quickly. She used her "lifelines" on the four subsequent questions, and was finally stumped by the $100,000 question — "Before marrying him, what wife of Henry VIII served as a lady-in-waiting to two of his previous wives?"
McWilliams had set a personal goal of winning at least $25,000. "I was elated to win double my goal," she said.
The New Jersey native decided to audition for the show on a whim. She was not sure if she would be getting a fellowship from Princeton for her fifth year as a graduate student, and it struck her while watching the show that winning a million dollars would be a good way to pay for her education.
After a screening process that included a test and an interview with the producers, she was given the chance to participate.
"I was a little shocked," McWilliams said. "I never aspired to be on TV."
She said that she bought trivia books to prepare as soon as she found out she had gotten in. "I think I irritated all the people in my department with my daily random facts, but none of the trivia I had studied ended up helping me," she said.
During the show, hostess Meredith Vieira called McWilliams "Smart, smart, smart!"
But to say that McWilliams is 'smart' is a bit of an understatement.
She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Amherst College, where she was elected class graduation day speaker.
Fluent in Russian in addition to her native English, McWilliams has received an enviable amount of awards and honors, including a U.S. Fulbright Scholarship — which she declined in order to attend the University, where she is a Ph.D. candidate for 2005.
"Susan is extremely gregarious and engaging," said Patrick Deneen, McWilliams' dissertation advisor. "She strikes me as the kind of person that could do well [on the show] because she has the unusual combination of knowledge that a scholar would have, with a surprising familiarity with popular culture."
McWilliams said she will use her prize money to take a cruise to Antarctica and to visit all fifty states before she turns 30.
Read More
Economics professor Kate Ho passes away after long battle with cancer
Devon RudolphProfessor Kate Ho made seminal contributions to the economics of modeling competition in the healthcare sector and taught well-loved courses in industrial organization.
Professor Kate Ho made seminal contributions to the economics of modeling competition in the healthcare sector and taught well-loved courses in industrial organization.
Pedestrian left in critical condition after traffic collision on Nassau Street
Luke GrippoThe pedestrian was struck by a westbound 2015 Ford Explorer around 11:32 p.m. The driver was identified in the press release as a 39-year-old Princeton resident who cooperated with officers upon their arrival.
The pedestrian was struck by a westbound 2015 Ford Explorer around 11:32 p.m. The driver was identified in the press release as a 39-year-old Princeton resident who cooperated with officers upon their arrival.
Senior class jacket abruptly changed following accusations of AI design
Vitus LarrieuFor more than a century, Princeton seniors have donned “beer jackets” to protect their clothes during Reunions and commencement celebrations, typically with elaborate designs chosen by a class-wide contest. Now, with a selection process marred by accusations of generative AI use, the Class of 2026 may have written its own spot in Princeton history.
For more than a century, Princeton seniors have donned “beer jackets” to protect their clothes during Reunions and commencement celebrations, typically with elaborate designs chosen by a class-wide contest. Now, with a selection process marred by accusations of generative AI use, the Class of 2026 may have written its own spot in Princeton history.