BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University is a top producer of Fulbright Scholars, tying for first place with College of Charleston for the highest number of faculty and staff selected for the prestigious award during 2018–19 among master’s institutions.

Both Appalachian and College of Charleston had four Fulbright Scholars. See the list.

The U.S. Department of State made the announcement this week. Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program.

This is the third time Appalachian has placed in the top 10 list for Fulbright Scholars among master’s institutions, previously placing seventh in both 2010–11 and 2015–16 with two and three scholars, respectively.

The four 2018–19 Fulbright Scholars from Appalachian:

• Dr. Steve Hageman, professor in the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences.
• Dr. Scott Relyea, assistant professor in the Department of History.
• Christopher Lytle, director of education abroad in the Office of International Education and Development (OIED).
• Adam Julian, director of international student and scholar services and outreach in the OIED.

Dr. Darrell Kruger, provost and executive vice chancellor, said, “This is a great accolade for Appalachian. It speaks to our global footprint that is deep and benefits our students. It is a fitting tribute to our outstanding, talented and cosmopolitan faculty.

“I especially commend Dr. Maria Anastasiou in the OIED and our Fulbright Scholar liaisons, Dr. Jeanne Dubino in the Department of Cultural, Gender and Global Studies and Dr. Nina-Jo Moore in the Department of Communication, for their invaluable mentoring.”

Anastasiou, executive director of OIED, said, “Fulbright is one of the most respected programs in the world for student and scholar international exchange and engagement. To have four faculty and staff members awarded in one year is a great honor for the individual faculty and staff members and for Appalachian.

“OIED and the Office of Research have worked hard over the last year to raise awareness and create processes to help faculty and staff apply for Fulbright awards. I am very happy to see that these efforts have been helpful.”

In addition, Appalachian has hosted two Fulbright Visiting Scholars this year:

• Fall 2018 — The College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Cultural, Gender and Global Studies hosted Dr. Christian Quendler, Fulbright-Botstiber Visiting Professor of Austrian-American Studies and associate professor in American studies, film and media at the University of Innsbruck in Austria.
• Spring 2019 — The Reich College of Education’s Department of Reading Education and Special Education is hosting Dr. Armine Avagyan, from Armenia, who is conducting postdoctoral research.

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About the Fulbright Program

The Fulbright Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State, funded by an annual appropriation from the U.S. Congress to the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and supported in its implementation by the Institute of International Education. Since its inception in 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided more than 390,000 participants — chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential — with the opportunity to exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns.

About the Office of International Programs

Appalachian State University combines a strong liberal arts foundation with a comprehensive, pervasive and integrated commitment to global engagement. The Office of International Programs assists App State in fulfilling its global engagement mission by working to develop awareness, knowledge, appreciation and respect of cultural differences — in both domestic and international contexts — in the university’s students, faculty and staff, as well as in the surrounding communities. Learn more at https://international.appstate.edu.

About the Office of Research and Innovation

Appalachian State University’s Office of Research and Innovation supports the scholarly and creative activities of App State faculty, staff, and students by expanding access to and facilitating the management of research opportunities. The office consists of three units: Grants Resources and Services, Sponsored Programs, and Research Protections. Learn more about App State's Office of Research and Innovation at https://research.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.