Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

GU Nabs Record 22 Fulbrights

A record high of 22 graduates received the prestigious Fulbright award for the 2011-2012 year, the Office of Fellowships announced this week.

The competitive scholarships provide recipients the chance to teach and conduct research abroad. Since they are awarded by individual countries, the last students to receive their awards were not notified until summer. Established in 1946 via legislation introduced by Sen. J. William Fulbright (D-Ark.), the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program awards about 1,100 grants each year.

Georgetown’s strong performance places it among the top recipients of the award nationwide.

“It’s a harvest that’s paying off,” said John Glavin, director of the Office of Fellowships and a professor of English

In 2010, Georgetown students were awarded 16 Fulbrights, and 14 the year before that.

“It is a record, but it is also really important that it is part of a rising trend,” Glavin said.

The scholars will study and teach in 18 different countries on every continent besides Antarctica.

Of the 22 recipients, 16 are students who completed their undergraduate or graduate programs last year, while the rest are recent graduates.

He added that the international orientation of the university makes Georgetown a natural fit for the Fulbright program. In recent years, the office has stepped up efforts to raise awareness of the program and also provide counseling to all applicants.

“The office has made a full-court press,” Glavin said.

Bridget O’Loughlin (SFS 11),  an English Teaching Assistantship Fulbright fellow in Venezuela, said the support she received from the Office of Fellowships and the Dean’s Office in the School of Foreign Service was invaluable.

“I learned about the scholarship from a university email, had numerous members of the university community read my application and write recommendations, and was supported throughout the waiting process,” she wrote in an email.

O’Loughlin added that although students are selected based on projects that they propose, the program is about more than simply research and teaching.

“My taking questions from Venezuelan teenagers for an hour … may not seem like it’s contributing to anything, but it gives both groups the chance to connect in a way they wouldn’t be able to otherwise,” she wrote.

O’Loughlin’s freshman year roommate, Sarah Tucker (SFS ’11), is also a Fulbright recipient conducting education research in Cameroon.

Despite the record, Glavin said he still thinks not enough students are aware of the opportunity.

“Our applicant pool is much smaller than our talent pool,” he said.

He said he hopes to continue the push to encourage more students to apply in the future.

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