Whitman recognized as Fulbright "Top Producer" second year in a row

Seth Bergeson '10, recipient of a Fulbright teaching assistantship in Bosnia-Herzegovina, with students at the University of Sarajevo's Faculty of Islamic Studies. Photo courtesy of Seth Bergeson '10.

Again this year, Whitman ranks as a “Top Producer” of Fulbright award recipients. In its list of top-producing colleges and universities, The Chronicle of Higher Education includes Whitman among bachelor’s institutions with a standout number of Fulbright recipients. The rankings are based on the number of successful applicants from each school.

Mackenzie Gerringer '12, another Fulbright recipient, with a group of eighth-graders in Bremen, Germany. Photo courtesy of Ilka Kroemer/Mackenzie Gerringer '12.

The Fulbright award is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, and provides funding for recipients to undertake research grants, grants in creative/performing arts or English teaching assistantships in countries across the world.“Last year’s remarkable showing – seven Fulbright recipients, two alternates and three finalists out of 19 applicants – demonstrates how well-equipped Whitman students are for the nation's most competitive awards,” said Keith Raether, director of fellowships and grants.

Whitman graduates with Fulbright awards are currently teaching and conducting research in New Zealand, Turkey, Germany and Bosnia-Herzegovina. This is the second year that the Fulbright program has commended Whitman students for their performance when compared on the national level. 

Since 1999, Whitman has produced 63 Fulbright recipients. Seven Whitman alumni received Fulbright awards during the 2011-12 academic year, out of which six accepted. Seth Bergson ’10, Kayla Foster ’12, Mackenzie Gerringer ’12, Jessica Salvador ’07 and Patricia Vanderbilt ’12 received teaching assistantships, and Matt Hanson ’12 and Alex Miller ’10 were awarded research grants. Whitman also produced two alternates and three national finalists, who were recommended to their country of choice by a Fulbright selection committee.

For more information on last year’s Fulbright award recipients, click here.