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Nine seniors and a recent alumna have been awarded prestigious fellowships that will take them around the world to explore their passionate interests, ranging from environmental issues to documentary filmmaking.

Fellowship recipients, finalists, and nominees were recognized last week during a luncheon at Merrill House.

“We as faculty feel a special kindred with you, you who are poised to make the most of your intellectual potential … to do interesting and important things in the world,” Interim President Lyle Roelofs told students.

Roelofs was joined by Jill Harsin, interim provost and dean of the faculty, and Ann Landstrom, assistant dean and director of the , in commending recipients for pursuing their intellectual curiosities while serving as 51���� ambassadors in the global community.

“This year’s recipients,” added Landstrom, “follow in the footsteps of hundreds of 51���� alumni who have traversed the world through national fellowships.”

Fellowship recipients, finalists, and nominees are recognized during a luncheon at Merrill House. (Photo by Janna Minehart ’13)

 

The following students as well as a recent graduate have been accepted into the U.S. Student Fulbright Program, which offers invaluable opportunities to meet and work with people of the host country, sharing daily life as well as professional and creative insights.

Victor Chiapaikeo ’10 – As an English teaching assistant in Indonesia, Chiapaikeo will engage secondary level students through lesson plans that incorporate language acquisition and cultural exchange.

Jessica Chow ’09 – Chow’s project, “Voices from the War of Resistance,” will involve interviewing Chinese survivors of the World War II era to create documentary films that highlight the lifelong impact of war.

Max Counter ’10 – Counter will create a learning environment in which Colombian university students can advance their English language skills through engaged conversation and critical thinking exercises.

Matt Geduldig ’10 – Geduldig will help Korean students learn about the language and the culture of the United States through his own unique perspective of having Korean heritage. In addition to teaching, he will participate in the intensive cultural experience of a Korean homestay.

Julia Quintanilla ’10 – Quintanilla will be a language-learning assistant within Mexico’s public education system, engaging students in classroom activities to build English skills. She also plans to volunteer as an art educator in a local gallery, museum or community center.

Alison Wohlers ’10 – Wohlers plans to study the effects of globalization on Moroccan identity through the manifestations of colonialism and the creation and legacy of dualistic cities. She will travel throughout Morocco to conduct historical research and interview residents.

Tara Woods ’10 – Woods will assist in the teaching of English and American studies to German school students. Cross-cultural understanding will be at the center of her Fulbright year as she provides an accurate representation of American history and culture to the students.

Recipients also include seniors Shae Frydenlund and Jennifer Rusciano, accepted into the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship program, which provides a $25,000 stipend for a year of independent exploration outside the United States.

Frydenlund plans to create a documentary that captures the complex ecologies of the medicinal plant markets and promotes sustainability in the industry. Rusciano will explore the relationship between chocolate, communities, and culture in Europe, Africa, and Latin America.

Conor Tucker ’10 has received the Paul J. Schupf ’58 Fellowship for two years of study at the University of Oxford, where he will read for a master’s in modern British and European History.

In recognition of her outstanding potential and intention to pursue a career in science, Meghan Healey ’11 was awarded honorable mention by the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship program.

Decisions are still pending for five Fulbright alternates and the Liebmann Fellowship nominee.