Furman University among top producers of U.S. Fulbright Scholars in 2015-16
February 23, 2016
When it comes to sending its graduates around the world to teach and conduct research as prestigious Fulbright Scholars, Furman University is once again among the very best in the nation.
Furman had four students named Fulbright Scholars in 2015-16, which puts the university among the nation’s top 40 “bachelor’s” institutions that produced Fulbright winners. With four winners out of 14 applicants, Furman also had one of the highest success rates of all bachelor’s institutions that nominated students.
“It is an impressive achievement that Furman placed four graduates in the program in a single year,” said Furman President Elizabeth Davis. “That speaks to the outstanding quality of our students and is a testament to the value of Furman’s highly personalized and interdisciplinary education model. We are very proud that our students have maintained an extraordinary record of success as recipients of the nation’s most prestigious scholarships.”
The university was previously recognized by the U.S. Department of State in 2013-14 for its high number of Fulbright Scholars.
The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program. Top-producing institutions are highlighted annually in The Chronicle of Higher Education.
The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Since its inception in 1946, the program has provided more than 360,000 participants—chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential—with the opportunity to exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns.
Over 1,900 U.S. students, artists and young professionals in more than 100 different fields of study are offered Fulbright Program grants to study, teach English and conduct research annually. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program operates in over 140 countries throughout the world.
Furman education professor Scott Henderson serves as the university’s Fulbright program adviser. Here are the university’s four current Fulbright Scholars.
- Natalia Arenas of Simpsonville, a 2015 graduate in political science and Chinese studies, is teaching in Taiwan.
- Bryan Betts of Tega Cay, a 2014 graduate in English and philosophy, is teaching in South Korea.
- A.J. Calhoun of Charlotte, N.C., a 2015 graduate in urban studies and political science, is teaching in Malaysia.
- Kayla Hirsch of Fort Mill, a 2015 graduate in political science and German, is teaching in Germany.
For more information, visit the State Department website or contact Furman’s News and Media Relations office at 864-294-3107.
