Whitman lauds latest batch of Fulbright recipients

Fulbright logo Six Whitman seniors and recent graduates have been accepted into the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, with one more selected as an alternate. Fulbright is the largest U.S. exchange program, offering students and young professionals opportunities to teach and conduct research in more than 140 countries, with about 1,900 grants awarded annually.

This year's Whitman recipients are:

Marra Clay '17, chemistry-environmental studies major (English teaching assistantship, Malaysia)
Peter Ramaley '17, politics and music major (English teaching assistantship, Colombia)
Alex Waheed '17, geology major (English teaching assistantship, Malaysia)
Lizzy Harvey '16, English and philosophy major (English teaching assistantship, Argentina)
Noah Oltman '16, history major (English teaching assistantship, Germany)
Sayda Morales '15, sociology major (alternate, English teaching assistantship, Spain)
Nina Finley '17, biology-environmental studies major (research, genetic analysis of native Galápagos mollusks, Ecuador, declined award)

"It's always gratifying to imagine these students, whose talents and temperament you've come so closely to know, out in the world, fulfilling their desire for authentic cultural exchange," said Director of Fellowships and Grants Keith Raether. "Their success speaks to their initiative, commitment, self-reliance and understanding beyond the usual safe zones."

In addition, Noah Oltman '16, a history major, and Groover Snell '17, a biology and history major, received scholarships from the Austria Teaching Assistants Program, which Fulbright oversees.

Established by Congress in 1946 and sponsored by the Department of State, Fulbright bestows grants on the basis of academic and professional merit as well as a record of service and leadership. The program is designed to increase mutual understanding between nations and foster solutions to global challenges. Since its inception, it has provided roughly 300,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists and scientists the chance to achieve distinction in their fields through international study.

Whitman is regularly credited as a Fulbright "top producer" due to the volume of students and graduates who apply for and earn scholarships through the program.