Fourteen Fairfield University students have been nominated for a prestigious government grant, the Fulbright. The number nominated from Fairfield is substantially higher than in years past.
“This year is nothing compared to the past,” said Miriam Gogol, Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences who spearheaded the whole application process. “This was an extraordinary class, off the chart students.”
Receiving a Fulbright grant gives students an opportunity to spend a year abroad after graduation doing independent research, internships and to continue their education.
“Going would broaden my perspectives and make me a more well-rounded teacher. It’ll give me new insights and new perspectives on the world,” said Gerald Abbey ’04 who hopes to teach English in Taiwan next year.
Although 14 students were nominated, they will not find out until as late as April who receives the grants. The individual countries must decide who they want and which proposals they are going to sponsor.
Katherine Kidd, director of international studies and academic advisor for many of the students nominated, said that the combination of experience, a large application pool and a group of very capable, gifted students helped attain a high level of nominees.
“A lot of students had experience in critical countries and have specific backgrounds with what they applied for,” said Kidd.
Gogol described the long application process as time consuming. But she said everyone worked hard, including the committee, which consisted of five faculty members. “It was rough and very exciting,” she said.
One student commented on the time commitment involved in the process.
“People put a lot of work into [the applications]. We got a lot of criticism from the review board to make us focus our proposals, that really helped,” said Abbey.
Last year four Fairfield students were chosen to receive Fulbright grants.
Gogol said she could not compare the number of recipients from this year to other years until after the final selection process for this year’s batch of nominees.
But she did say they are already looking for students for next year.
The committee will seek gifted students with GPAs of at least 3.2 and language ability, with teaching experience also preferred.
“The level of commitment has to be very high, but it can open up so many doors,” Gogol said.
James DiGuglielmo ’04, who hopes to go to Germany next year to study gravitational physics, commented on what a great experience going abroad would be academically and culturally.
“Culturally to experience another way of life would be just amazing,” he said.
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