UA Students Win Fulbright Awards
- May 12th, 2021
- in Fulbright
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The University of Alabama (UA) has recently learned the results of the annual student Fulbright competition. Three UA students have received Fulbright Student Research Awards for the 2020–2021 academic year and fourteen have won Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship Awards.
Fulbright is the most prestigious U.S. international exchange program, offering opportunities for students, scholars and professionals. The Fulbright Award of the U.S. Department of State offers one-year grants for independent study and research and for English teaching assistantships overseas. The highly competitive program selects approximately 1,500 award recipients from more than 11,000 applicants each year. The University of Alabama has received national recognition as a Top Producing Institution for Fulbright U.S. Students for four of the last five years. “We applaud every Fulbright 2020–2021 student applicant for their interest in furthering the Fulbright mission of mutual understanding between the people of the U.S. and the people of other countries,” said Dr. Teresa Wise, associate provost of international education and global outreach. “As the world unites in solving the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19, that mission is more important than ever. We congratulate our awardees and know that they will represent UA and the U.S. with distinction in the coming year.”
Fulbright Student Research Award recipients:
Julia Coursey,of Washington, D.C., has received a Fulbright Award to Hungary to conduct research at the University of Debrecen and in Budapest for her novel, The Bathers. She holds the MFA in creative writing from UA and a BA in liberal arts from St. John’s College (Santa Fe).
Joshua Kirks, of Kennesaw, Georgia, received a Fulbright Award to research “Hollow Cathode Development and Testing” at Dresden University of Technology in Germany. He is a UA graduate student in aerospace engineering and mechanics who also holds a BS in aerospace engineering from UA and memberships in Sigma Gamma Tau honor society (aerospace engineering) and Delta Phi Alpha honor society (German).
Ashley Tickle Odebiyi,of Tuscaloosa, has received a Fulbright Award to Italy to research ”Gender, Authority, and Liminal Space: Roman Bizzoche, 1400–1500,” at LUMSA University and Sapienza University in Rome. She is a UA doctoral student in history with language study in Latin and Italian who also holds a BA from James Madison University and an MA in religious studies from the University of Iowa.
Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship Award recipients:
Christine Jane Allen of Auburn, a leader in Model United Nations, an experienced debate tutor, Chief Justice of the Academic Honor Council and a fellow of the Blackburn Institute, who is a 2019 summa cum laude Honors College graduate in political science and environmental policy with advanced competency in the Spanish language, to teach in Spain.
Austin Blair of Germantown, Tennessee, a Parker Adams Fellow and mentor of freshmen students, a Delta Phi Alpha German Honor Society member with study experience at The University of Mannheim and fluency in German, and a 2020 graduate in German with a minor in interdisciplinary linguistics, was chosen to teach in Germany.
Mason Olivia Blanke of Tuscaloosa, a UA Presidential Scholar and 2020 Honors College graduate in electrical engineering and physics with a certificate in teaching English as a foreign language, to teach in Poland.
Camille Constance Nealey Carr of Wake Forest, North Carolina, a fellow of the Blackburn Institute, a Blount Interdisciplinary Scholar in the liberal arts and 2019 summa cum laude Honors College graduate in Spanish and political science with fluency in the Spanish language, to teach in Colombia.
Caroline Smith Dean of Dothan, a Spanish Outreach mentor for the Tuscaloosa County Schools, an intern for Congresswoman Martha Roby, a fellow of the Blackburn Institute, president of the UA English Majors and Minors Association, executive committee Chair for the SGA Student Judiciary, staff journalist for The Crimson White, and a 2020 summa cum laude Honors College graduate in English and Spanish, with a minor in creative writing, advanced Spanish language ability, and overseas experience in Spain and South Korea, to teach in Spain.
Isabella Rose DeSheplo of Washington, D.C., a fellow of the Blackburn Institute, a member of the Carl A. Elliott Community Service Honor Society and a 2020 UA Honors College graduate with a BA and MA in political science and a minor in public policy studies, to teach in Bulgaria.
Lota Erinne of Peachtree City, Georgia, a poet, winner of the 2019 Greer Marechal Memorial Prize in Fiction, managing editor of The Marr’s Field Journal literary magazine and 2020 Honors College graduate in English and finance with fluency in Spanish, to teach in Spain.
Logan Fenhouse of Lombard, Illinois, a Blount Interdisciplinary Scholar in the liberal arts, former leader of Beyond Bama Alternative Breaks, Spanish interpreter at Maude Whatley Health Center, mentor with extensive experience tutoring all ages, and 2020 summa cum laude Honors College graduate with degrees in Spanish and Interdisciplinary Studies, and fluency in Spanish, to teach in Spain.
Amelia Wyant Gaither of Hickory, North Carolina, writing center tutor, UA English Language Institute instructor, a founder of UA Chinese Conversation Hour and a Global Café ESL conversation partner, with a BA in English from Davidson College and an MA in applied linguistics and TESOL from UA, to teach in Taiwan.
Robert “Chad” Hankins, of Mobile, a Blount Interdisciplinary Scholar in the liberal arts, member of The Mallet Assembly and The White Rose Society, certified teacher of English as a Foreign Language and a 2018 graduate in political science with a minor in German, advanced German language competency, and the Global Studies Certificate, to teach in Germany.
Asia Monet Hayes, of St. Augustine, Florida, a teacher with Breakthrough Collaborative of Central Texas and the Dream Alabama Mentor Program of the UA Honors College, a fellow of the Blackburn Institute, a member of the Carl A. Elliott Community Service Honor Society, recipient of the Harold Bishop Award, and a 2018 UA Honors College graduate in Interdisciplinary Studies, summa cum laude with fluency in Spanish assessed at Superior/Distinguished and experience in Argentina and Cuba, to teach in Spain.
Katherine Lightfoot of Northport, a discussion facilitator with the UA English Language Institute, an active leader in Model United Nations and German Club, a Delta Phi Alpha German Honor Society member and a 2019 Honors College graduate in international studies and foreign languages who is enrolled in graduate studies in German at UA, to teach in Germany.
Rebecca Paholski of Plano, Texas, an experienced teacher, tutor and mentor through Cottondale Elementary (Tuscaloosa, AL), Newman Elementary School (Frisco, TX), Breakthrough Atlanta, Tuscaloosa’s One Place, Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind, READ Alabama, Horseshoe Farms Remote Tutoring Program, and Los Estudiantes de Alabama sin Fronteras, who has an MS in Human Environmental Sciences, a BA in Elementary Education, summa cum laude, and advanced competency in Spanish, to teach in Spain.
Ian Samlowski of Madison, a teaching assistant in the department of Modern Languages and Classics, a translator for the Birmingham Holocaust Education Center and a fluent German speaker, who holds BA and MA degrees in German from UA with membership in Delta Phi Alpha German Honor Society, to teach in Germany.
The University is also pleased to report that 6 students were awarded alternate status in this year’s national Fulbright competition. They will be invited to serve should more openings become available to the national Fulbright Program. They are Emily Adams (Bulgaria), Olivia Brick (Laos), Ekaterina (Katya) Khvatkova (Russia), Meredith Moore (Bulgaria), Austin Olivier (Germany), and Trey Sullivan (Bulgaria).
“Our campus is proud of these 23 exceptional student leaders in international engagement,” said Dr. Beverly Hawk, director of global and community engagement, “and we appreciate the dedicated faculty, staff and administrators who advised our students in application for these awards.”
A team of Fulbright advisors from UA’s Capstone International Center, Modern Languages and Classics Department and the Center for Community-Based Partnerships helps students polish applications for success in the Fulbright competition each year. Students interested in applying for next year’s Fulbright program can learn more at http://international.ua.edu and https://us.fulbrightonline.org, or by sending an email to UA’s Fulbright advisers, Megan Wagner megan.wagner@ua.edu, Dr. Matthew Feminella mfeminella@ua.edu, or Dr. Beverly Hawk beverly.hawk@ua.edu.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Twelve University of Alabama students were chosen as Fulbright Student Award Winners for 2019–2020, and four UA students were selected as alternates.
“Congratulations to UA’s 2019–2020 Fulbright winners and alternates,” said Dr. Teresa E. Wise, associate provost for international education and global outreach. “During their year abroad, these leaders of tomorrow are putting into action the diverse and intercultural experiences and education that UA provides.”
The highly competitive U.S. Student Fulbright Program provides grants for individually designed study and research projects or for English-teaching assistantships to 160 countries. More than 10,000 applicants compete for approximately 2,100 awards each year. In February, for the third time in four years, The University of Alabama was recognized as a Top Producing Institution for Fulbright U.S. Students.
“These students have emerged from the national Fulbright competition as the best in the nation,” said Dr. Beverly Hawk, UA Fulbright program adviser and director of global and community engagement in the Center for Community-Based Partnerships “Through their individual community engagement activities overseas, these Fulbright winners will develop lasting international ties for Alabama and the USA.”
Twelve UA graduates received Fulbright Awards for the 2019–2020 academic year:
Tommy P. Brazie of Huntsville, a 2019 graduate in international studies and German language and literature with a minor in French and the certificate in global studies, was chosen to teach in Germany.
Amanda Filardo of Prospect, Kentucky, a 2019 Honors College graduate in international studies with minors in Russian and Italian and the certificate in global studies, was chosen to teach in Kazakhstan.
Courtney Geary of Somerset, Pennsylvania, a University Fellow in the Honors College, a Blackburn Fellow, a 2019 graduate of New College majoring in interdisciplinary studies with minors in international studies and educational studies, and language competency in Arabic was chosen to teach in Jordan.
Cole Jones of Nashville, Tennessee, a University Fellow in the Honors College and a 2019 graduate in management information systems with a minor in social innovation and leadership, was chosen to teach in Malaysia.
Ciara Malaugh of Madison, a member of the Honors College, a 2017 graduate in political science and a Truman Scholar, was chosen to teach in Romania.
Larry Monocello of Erie, Pennsylvania, who holds a bachelor’s in anthropology (2015) from Case Western Reserve University and a master’s in biocultural medical anthropology (2017) from UA with language study in Korean, was chosen to conduct research about Male Body Ideals and Mental Health among Men in South Korea.
Amica Rapadas of Homewood, a member of the Honors College and a 2019 graduate in international studies and geography with a minor in Chinese and the certificate in global studies, was chosen to teach in Taiwan.
Pamela Grace Turner of Fairhope, a member of the Honors College and a 2018 graduate in public relations and international studies with a minor in Spanish, was chosen to teach in Colombia.
Sophia Warner of Birmingham, a Blackburn Fellow and a 2019 graduate in international studies with minors in German, Russian and liberal arts through the Blount Scholars Program, was chosen to teach in Germany.
Samantha Wetzel of Hudson, Illinois, a 2019 graduate in public relations and foreign languages and literature with a concentration in German, was chosen to teach in Germany.
Ellery Wiemer of Lombard, Illinois, a 2019 graduate in marketing with a concentration in global business, a minor in German and the certificate in global studies, was chosen to teach in Germany.
Madeline Willoughby of Houston, a 2019 graduate in elementary education with classroom leadership expertise and international English teaching experience, was chosen to teach in Malaysia.
Four UA graduates were selected as alternates in the Fulbright competition. Alternates may be brought forward to serve at any time should winners be unable to travel to the designated country, or if additional funds become available. The alternates are:
Julia Coursey of Washington, D.C., who holds a BA in liberal arts from St. John’s College and is a UA graduate student in creative writing, to conduct research in Hungary.
Jennifer Reaves of Muscle Shoals, a member of the Honors College and a 2019 graduate in finance, to teach in Malaysia.
Claire Stebbins of Miamisburg, Ohio, a University Fellow in the Honors College and a 2019 graduate in journalism and political science with minors in educational studies and social innovation and leadership, to teach in The Netherlands.
Olivia Turner of Cumming, Georgia, a member of the Honors College and a 2019 graduate in Spanish and art history with a minor in English, to teach in Argentina.
Students with an interest in next year’s competition should contact Fulbright coordinator Megan Wagner of the Capstone International Center, 135 B.B. Comer Hall, cic@ua.edu, or Fulbright advisers Dr. Matthew Feminella of modern languages and classics, 263B B.B. Comer Hall, mfeminella@ua.edu; or Dr. Beverly Hawk of the UA Center for Community-Based Partnerships, 1114 Capital Hall, beverly.hawk@ua.edu.
By Diane Kennedy-Jackson
Publications Coordinator, Division of Community Affairs
TUSCALOOSA — The University of Alabama (UA) has, for the third time in the last four years, been recognized as a top producing institution for Fulbright U.S. Student Awards. The recognition was announced Feb. 10 in The Chronicle of Higher Education. Fifteen of 39 UA applicants received the award for 2018–2019, one of the highest winning percentages in the nation.
“We are very proud, once again, to be recognized as a top producer in the annual Fulbright U.S. Student Awards competition,” said Dr. Kevin Whitaker, UA provost. “This success shines a spotlight on the excellence of our students, faculty and academic programs at The University of Alabama. We are very proud of the students selected!”
“Each Fulbright victory is a new opportunity for international community engagement and educational enrichment for our students,” said Dr. Beverly Hawk, UA Fulbright program adviser and director of Global and Community Engagement at UA’s Center for Community-Based Partnerships, an initiative of the Division of Community Affairs. “The University’s great success is the result of the teamwork of students, faculty, supervisors and administrators who create these winning Fulbright applications.”
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is the premier educational exchange program of the United States Department of State. The Fulbright Award competition offers grants for independent study and research and for English teaching assistantships overseas. The highly competitive program selects approximately 1,800 award recipients from more than 11,000 applicants each year.
Thirteen UA graduates won awards as teaching assistants and two for research and study for the 2018–2019 academic year.
“UA’s focus on instilling students with a global perspective during their time at the Capstone continues to reap rewards as reflected in the high number of Fulbright grant recipients,” said Dr. Teresa Wise, associate provost for international education and global outreach. “I am grateful to the many dedicated faculty and staff who encourage our students to apply for Fulbright awards and work with them on their applications.”
“I congratulate all of the students who sought a Fulbright student award, as well as the faculty and staff who encouraged them to do so and who helped prepare them for this life-changing experience,” said Dr. Samory T. Pruitt, vice president for Community Affairs. “I would be remiss if I didn’t specifically acknowledge the work of Dr. Beverly Hawk, UA Fulbright program adviser, who spends untold hours with students to ensure that their applications are the strongest they can possibly be. The experience she gained as a four-time Fulbright Award recipient herself has placed her in a unique position to work with UA Fulbright alumni to help not only our students, but the University as a whole in its goal to be recognized as a top producer.”
University of Alabama graduates serving abroad on Fulbright Awards are Rachel Combs (Germany), Jeremy Connor (Germany), Carrigan Fain (Malaysia), Dwyer Freeman (Germany), Nicole Henderson (Brazil), Maggie Holmes (Spain), Natalie Kidd (Germany), Madeleine Lewis (Montenegro), Richard Lewis (Malaysia), Taebryanna Sims (South Korea), Shelby Smithson (Turkey), Theresa Stoddard (Spain), Kaylyn Williams (Czech Republic), Amanda Wolosz (Poland), and Annika Wulff (Germany).
As a top producer with 15 Fulbrights in 2018–2019, Alabama is in company with some of the top research institutions in the nation, including Brown (35), Princeton (33), Georgetown (30), Notre Dame (24), Harvard (19), Emory and Yale (14), Duke (13), Vanderbilt (12), California-Berkeley (11) and Tufts (10). For the full list of top student Fulbright program producers, visit: https://www.chronicle.com/article/Top-Producers-of-Fulbright/245641.
Students interested in applying for next year’s Fulbright program can learn more at international.ua.edu and us.fulbrightonline.org, or by sending an email to beverly.hawk@ua.edu.
The University of Alabama, a student-centered research university, is experiencing significant growth in both enrollment and academic quality. This growth, which is positively impacting the campus and the state’s economy, is in keeping with UA’s vision to be the university of choice for the best and brightest students. UA, the state’s flagship university, is an academic community united in its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Alabamians.
TUSCALOOSA — The University of Alabama has once again been recognized as a top producing institution for Fulbright U.S. Student Awards, according to “The Chronicle of Higher Education.” Fifteen of 47 UA applicants received the award for 2017–2018, one of the highest winning percentages in the nation. Additionally, this year’s Fulbright success makes UA the leader in the Southeastern Conference. This is the second time in the past three years UA has been recognized as a top Fulbright U.S. Student Program producer.
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers grants for independent study and research and for English teaching assistantships overseas. The highly competitive program selects approximately 1,500 award recipients from over 10,000 applicants each year.
“Our record success in placing students in the Fulbright U.S. Student Program demonstrates the far-reaching international scope of our excellent academic programs and the high value of a University of Alabama education,” said Dr. Kevin Whitaker, UA provost. “We continue to take pride in the many excellent and promising young people who choose UA for their academic studies.”
Ten UA graduates won awards as teaching assistants and five UA graduates received Fulbright awards for research and study for the 2017–2018 academic year.
“It is an honor for UA to be listed as a top producer in the U.S. Student Fulbright competition,” said Dr. Teresa Wise, associate provost for international education and global outreach. “The Fulbright Program provides life-changing opportunities and experiences for our students.”
University of Alabama graduates serving abroad on Fulbright Awards are Ruth Bishop (Colombia), Erica Boden (Bulgaria), Benjamin Canady (South Korea), Kathryn “Katie” Cater (Poland), Kelsey Daugherty (Germany), Brittany Groves (Germany), Jonathan Joyner (Sri Lanka), Jackson Knappen (Spain), Alexandra LeViness (Germany), Julia Quan (Macedonia), Charlotte Sheridan (Jordan), Ann Varnedoe (Spain), Sarah Dylan Walker (Macau), Kevin Ryan Williams (United Kingdom), and Emily Zapinski (Malaysia).
“Few universities in the nation win 15 Fulbright Awards,” said Dr. Beverly Hawk, UA Fulbright program adviser. “Top Producer recognition is the result of many hours of work on the part of our great students, the dedicated faculty and supervisors who advise and recommend, and university administrators who advocate for international learning on our campus. Everyone takes pride in this great victory.”
Other top producers among research institutions this year include Brown (39), Michigan (25), Harvard (24), Texas-Austin (20), Tulane (15), Yale (13), Virginia (12), Duke and Emory (11), and UNC-Chapel Hill (10). For the full list of top student Fulbright program producers, see https://www.chronicle.com/article/Top-Producers-of-Fulbright/242557.
Students interested in applying for next year’s Fulbright program can learn more at international.ua.edu and us.fulbrightonline.org, or by sending an email to beverly.hawk@ua.edu.
The University of Alabama, a student-centered research university, is experiencing significant growth in both enrollment and academic quality. This growth, which is positively impacting the campus and the state’s economy, is in keeping with UA’s vision to be the university of choice for the best and brightest students. UA, the state’s flagship university, is an academic community united in its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Alabamians.
Photos depicting 2017 Fulbright Winners
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The highly competitive Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides grants for individually designed study and research projects or for English-teaching assistantships. More than 11,000 applicants compete for approximately 1,500 awards each year. The program, sponsored by the U.S. State Department, is the largest U.S. international exchange program, offering opportunity for students, scholars and professionals.
Ten 2017 graduates received Fulbright Awards to serve as English teaching assistants overseas for the 2017–2018 academic year. They are:
Ruth Bishop of Shreveport, Louisiana, who holds bachelor’s degrees in biology and Spanish and a master’s in business administration, will teach in Colombia.
Erica Boden of Mason, Ohio, a Commerce and Business Administration graduate with majors in finance and economics and a master’s in finance as a University Scholar, will teach in Bulgaria.
Benjamin “Benjie” Canady of Bell Buckle, Tennessee, a graduate in international studies with a minor in Japanese, will teach in South Korea.
Kelsey Daugherty of Vacaville, California, a graduate in journalism with minors in German and business, will teach in Germany.
Brittany Groves of Decatur, Georgia, a graduate in history and German with a minor in international studies, will teach in Germany.
Jackson Knappen of Overland Park, Kansas, a graduate in biology and Spanish, will teach in Spain.
Julia Quan of Huntsville, Alabama, a New College student and a Blount Undergraduate Fellow with a major in social advocacy, will teach in Macedonia.
Ann Varnedoe of Thomasville, Georgia, a graduate in psychology and African American studies with a minor in Spanish, will teach in Spain.
Sarah Dylan Walker of Fort Mill, South Carolina, a graduate in journalism and political science, will teach in Macau.
Emily Zapinski, of Southlake, Texas, a graduate in business management and Spanish. She will teach in Malaysia.
Five University of Alabama students and alumni received Fulbright Awards for research and study during the 2017–2018 academic year. They are:
Kathryn “Katie” Cater of Salisbury, North Carolina, will conduct research on bacteriophage therapy for treatment of antibiotic-resistant infections in Poland. She is a University Scholar who will complete her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology in 2017.
Jonathan Joyner from Hellertown, Pennsylvania, will conduct a study in Sri Lanka on its recent civil war. He is a Blount Scholar, a 2017 graduate in international studies with a minor in French, and a commissioned officer in the United States Army.
Alexandra LeViness of Houston, Texas, will conduct research at the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics in Greifswald, Germany. She is a 2017 graduate in physics and mathematics with minors in German and Russian.
Charlotte Sheridan of Vienna, Virginia, will conduct research in environmental studies in Jordan. She is a 2017 graduate with a major in environmental engineering and a minor in Arabic. She was a member of the University Fellows Experience program.
Kevin Ryan Williams of Slocomb, Alabama, will travel to the United Kingdom to pursue a master’s in classical acting at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art as recipient of the John Wood LAMDA Award in Classical Acting. He is a 2015 graduate with a double major in theatre and film.
“Faculty, international advisers, and fellow students celebrate the achievement of these outstanding scholars,” said Dr. Beverly Hawk, UA Fulbright program adviser and director of global and community engagement in the Center for Community-Based Partnerships. “Through their individual community engagement activities, these graduates will contribute to mutual understanding across the world and bring home memories that will last a lifetime.”
Students interested in applying for next year’s Fulbright competition can learn more from the Capstone International Center, 135 B.B. Comer Hall, international.ua.edu and us.fulbrightonline.org.
(Left to right) Jacquelyn Shipe (CEO, Global Ties Alabama), Annette Philipot (Program Consultant, GTA), Davis Jackson (UA Honors College 57 Miles Program), and Dr. Beverly Hawk (UA Fulbright Program Advisor, Center for Community-Based Partnerships).
Last week, Global Ties Alabama hosted the 2016 Fulbright Enrichment Seminar with 82 Fulbright visiting scholars from 35 countries in Montgomery. The Seminar’s theme was “The New South: Visions, Voices and Change Agents”. Our Scholars on Friday, December enjoyed dinner at 18 homes and experienced authentic southern hospitality and engaged in dialogue aimed at mutual understanding. University of Alabama representatives spoke to 85 visiting Fulbright Scholars at the National Fulbright Enrichment Seminar, The New South: Visions, Voices and Change Agents held At Alabama State University in Montgomery, Dec 2-4, 2016.
