KANSAN.COM THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 2010 NEWS
19
ACADEMICS
Eight students win scholarships
BY ALISON CUMBOW alisonc@kansan.com
While she was growing up in Manhattan, Alina Scalora was taught to appreciate and protect
the tall grass prairies around her home. Now, Scalora, a recent graduate, is preparing to study the grasslands in China on a Fulbright Scholarship.
"It's something I've always wanted to do and it's been a
"It's something I've always wanted to do and it's been a really long process waiting to hear back."
is an international exchange program and grant offered through the U.S. government. According to its website, its goal is to "increase mutual understanding between the people of the U.S. and the people of other countries." Students are
really long process waiting to hear back," she said. She started working on her application last year.
Scalora is one of eight KU students who received the prestigious award last week. The Fulbright Program
ALINA SCALORA Fulbright Scholar
chosen based on their academic performances, references and research project proposals.
Scalora said she had to turn in three letters of reference, a twopage research proposal and a personal statement to apply for the program.
"Everyone applying was capable and intelligent," she said. "I don't think I could have gotten it without all the support from people at KU."
Emma Brooke, a recent graduate from Lawrence, also received a Fulbright. She will be taking graduate classes and interning in Mexico. She said the application process was intense and competitive. She said finally getting the award was a wonderful surprise.
"I've always wanted to travel and work abroad, but it's expensive," she said. "Now, the Fulbright is giving me that opportunity."
Hodgie Bricke, assistant vice provost at the Office of International Programs, worked with the students, including Scalora and Brooke, on their Fullbright applications. She said this year was a good year for the amount of students who were awarded the grant.
Since the program was initiated in 1946, 421 KU students, including this year's recipients, have taken part in the Fullbright Program.
Scalora said between 70 and 80 people in the country received a Fulbright scholarship to China.
2010 FULBRIGHT SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Emelia (Emma) C. Brooke, a 2010 graduate from Lawrence
Philip D. Fox, a doctoral student from Lawrence
Andrew M. Hilburn, a doctoral student from Hattiesburg, Miss.
KuoRay Mao, a doctoral student from Lawrence
Lisa L. Rausch, a doctoral student from Lawrence
Kristen Lea Reinert, a master's student from Overland Park
Alina M. Scalora, a 2010 graduate from Manhattan
Baiba Zvaigznite Sedriks, a master's student from Lawrence
Bricke said this year's scholars were diverse because both recent graduates and graduate school students were chosen.
Scalora's program starts on September 2 and will last 10 months. She will study there and work on her proposed research project about grassland restoration policies and water availability in China, which she wants to pursue in graduate
school when she returns.
Scalora said her family had been supportive of her leaving for almost a year and that her friends were also excited for her.
"It's a big accomplishment," she said.