Grad awarded Fulbright

Fairfield University’s success with Fulbright scholarships continued this year, as recent graduate Lara Eckler was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to Germany. This is the 28th Fulbright scholarship that a Fairfield University student has received.

The Fulbright Grant is the most esteemed award given by the U.S. government. This grant funds students to go abroad for one year after graduation in order to pursue independent research, study and work.

Eckler will study theater this fall under one of Germany’s most prominent theatre historians at Freie University of Berlin. She will also be interning at the Berliner Ensemble, one of Germany’s most important theatres. It was the theatre where Berthold Brecht worked before he fled Germany after Hitler’s rise to power.

Dr. Katherine Kidd, director of international studies and advisor to the program, commented on Eckler’s award. “Lara’s project is unique in two ways,” Kidd said. “First, she is the first student to win a research Fulbright to Germany. Second, Lara is the first student from the Visual and Performing Arts program to win a Fulbright.”

Other Fairfield students who have traveled to Germany have done so only through the Teaching Assistant Program

Ecklers topic is “German Theatre Directors: Transforming Text to Theatrical Production. Among her goals is to translate a German play and have it produced in the United States.

“Germany is one of the largest Fulbright programs but also one that is very competitive so her achievement is important,” Kidd added. .

Pride in Eckler’s award can be seen across the spectrum of the university. Dr. Marti LoMonoco, chair of Fairfield University’s department of visual and performing arts and associate professor of the theatre program said, “This is tremendous. This is a proud moment. Lara is an exceptional person.”

Eckler, a University Fellows Scholar, would like to eventually pursue a graduate degree program in playwriting. She currently has a double major in theater and German with a minor in communications,

Interested in applying for a Fulbright? Fairfield University has an extensive support system for students who wish to apply for this award. As a result, Fairfield has had a tremendous success rate.

Dr. Timothy Snyder, dean of the college of arts and sciences comments, “Awards like this place Fairfield in a best and most significant light, along with similar awards, like our recent Goldwater Award, awards from the National Science Foundation, the National Security Education Program Scholarships, and those of similar high profile. Many people view them as attainments, but I see them also as celebrations.”