Nine University of Rochester students have been awarded Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships for fall 2011. Students are chosen through a competitive application process. The scholarship program seeks to increase the number of students who choose non-traditional locations, students with financial need, and students from under-represented fields, such as engineering and science.
Nine undergraduates were selected from a national pool of applicants. This year's recipients are:
Ki Cheng (Orlando, Fla.), a junior psychology major, will study in Copenhagen, Denmark. Breanna Eng (Holtsville, N.Y.), a junior chemistry major, will study in Auckland, New Zealand. Ryan Gelfand (Laytonsville, Md.), a junior archaeology, technology, and historical structures major, will study in Arezzo, Italy. Ashley Haluck-Kangas (Greensburg, Pa.), a senior biology major, will study in Helsinki, Finland. Kindred Harris (Hermansville, Miss.), a senior biology major, will study in London, United Kingdom. Nathaly Luna (Corona, N.Y.), a junior religion major, will study in Rabat, Morocco. Zachary Palomo (Hondo, Texas), a junior international relations and Russian major, will study in St. Petersburg, Russia. Megan Roberts (Rochester, N.Y.), a senior health and society major, will study in Cape Town, South Africa. Madeline Skellie (Greenwich, N.Y.), a junior international relations major, will study in Cape Town, South Africa.
Palomo and Roberts will be abroad for the full academic year. Seniors Haluck-Kangas and Roberts are studying abroad as part of Rochester's Take Five program, which offers participating students a fifth, tuition-free year to pursue an interest beyond their traditional majors.
"Our students continue to be competitive when applying for scholarships such as the Gilman," said Jacqueline Levine, director of Rochester's Center for Study Abroad and Interdepartmental Programs. "We are delighted that they have been recognized for their leadership and academic success and are thrilled that these scholarships will help them participate in study abroad programs in a variety of countries."
Since the Gilman Scholarship began in 2002, 75 University of Rochester students have won Gilman awards. The scholarship is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and the Institute of International Education, which also administers the prestigious Fulbright fellowships. Selected undergraduates receive up to $8,000 each for tuition, travel, lodging, and insurance.