Skip to main content

Appalachian Today

News and events at Appalachian State University
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • Contact
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • Podcasts
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Accolades
  • Alumni
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Athletics
  • Awards and Honors
  • Community Engagement
  • Diversity
  • Events
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Gifts and Grants
  • Global
  • Health and Wellness
  • Publications
  • Research and Creative Works
  • Safety
  • Scholarships
  • Students
  • Sustainability
☰ Menu
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • Podcasts
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • Contact

Pictured from left to right, Appalachian seniors Raine Lo, Javon Nathaniel, Kevin Garcia Bautista and Sara Sallam are the university’s four 2019–20 recipients of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. They are among 912 undergraduate students from 345 colleges to receive the prestigious Gilman Scholarship and will study abroad during the 2019–20 academic year. Images submitted

4 App State undergrads receive Gilman Scholarship to study abroad in 2019–20

“The Gilman Scholarship is a great and helpful scholarship worth applying for. It is competitive, but it’s a good way to challenge yourself.”

Gilman Scholar Raine Lo, a senior languages, literatures and cultures major with a concentration in East Asian languages and cultures

By Joanie Andruss and Terri Lockwood
Posted Aug. 13, 2019 at 4:31 p.m.

BOONE, N.C. — The Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships (NCS), a division of University College at Appalachian State University, announces four Appalachian seniors have been awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study abroad during the 2019–20 academic year.

Scholarship recipients Raine Lo, from the College of Arts and Sciences, Javon Nathaniel, a student in the Walker College of Business, and Kevin Garcia Bautista and Sara Sallam, students in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, are among 912 undergraduate students from 345 colleges to receive the prestigious Gilman Scholarship.

“The Gilman Scholarship is a great and helpful scholarship worth applying for. It is competitive, but it’s a good way to challenge yourself.”

Gilman Scholar Raine Lo, a senior languages, literatures and cultures major with a concentration in East Asian languages and cultures

The Gilman International Scholarship Program — funded by the U.S. Department of State in honor of the late Benjamin A. Gilman, a former U.S. Rep. from New York — increases the number of students who study or intern abroad by providing financial support to undergraduates who could not otherwise afford to travel internationally. The scholarship makes it possible for recipients to experience international cultures and to learn languages of their choice.

Each Gilman Scholar receives up to $5,000 in funding to study or intern abroad. Applicants who intend to study a critical need language while abroad can apply for a supplemental Gilman Critical Need Language Award of up to $3,000, for a combined scholarship total of up to $8,000.

View larger image

Raine Lo, one of Appalachian State University’s four 2019–20 Gilman Scholars, is a senior from Connelly Springs majoring in languages, literatures and cultures with a concentration in East Asian languages and cultures. Photo submitted

Raine Lo

College of Arts and Sciences

Lo, a senior languages, literatures and cultures major with a concentration in East Asian languages and cultures, has the distinction of receiving the Gilman Scholarship and the Critical Need Language Award and will study Japanese over the course of the 2019–20 academic year at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, Japan.

“The Gilman Scholarship is a great and helpful scholarship worth applying for. It is competitive, but it’s a good way to challenge yourself,” said Lo, who is from Connelly Springs.

View larger image

Javon Nathaniel, one of Appalachian State University’s four 2019–20 Gilman Scholars, is a senior international business major with a minor in Japanese from Charlotte. Photo submitted

Javon Nathaniel

Walker College of Business

Nathaniel, a Wilson Scholar and student in Appalachian’s Honors College, will spend the fall semester studying in Japan.

“Thanks to this funding, I’ll be able to experience my childhood dream of traveling to Japan and studying more about the culture I love and prepare for my honors thesis topic,” said Nathaniel, a senior international business major from Charlotte with a minor in Japanese.

View larger image

Kevin Garcia Bautista, one of Appalachian State University’s four 2019–20 Gilman Scholars, is a senior communication, public relations major originally from Chicavasco, Mexico. He now resides in Boone. Photo submitted

Kevin Garcia Bautista

College of Fine and Applied Arts

During fall 2019, Bautista, who is originally from Chicavasco, Mexico, but now resides in Boone, will use his Gilman award to complete a multicountry Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) program in Berlin and London.

“To be the first member of my family to attend college is the biggest achievement I’ve accomplished in life,” shared Bautista, a senior communication, public relations major with a double minor in global studies and nonprofit organizations.

“I hope to leave a legacy of excellence and success to my siblings and other first-generation college students,” he added.

View larger image

Sarah Sallam, of Coram, New York, is one of Appalachian State University’s four 2019–20 Gilman Scholars. She is a senior industrial design major with a concentration in product design. Photo submitted

Sara Sallam

College of Fine and Applied Arts

Sallam, a senior from Coram, New York, majoring in industrial design with a concentration in product design, will study abroad in fall 2019 at Howest University in Kortrijk, Belgium.

She said while there, she will be continuing her studies in product design and exploring its implications in a global market.

Since its inception in 2001, the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship has provided funding for 28,000 award recipients, from 1,324 U.S. institutions, to study or intern in 149 countries.

Gilman encourages applications from first-generation college students, students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, ethnic minorities, students with disabilities, those in the military, students attending community colleges and minority-serving institutions and any student interested in traveling abroad.

For more information about the Gilman Scholarship Program and how to apply, contact Appalachian’s NCS Office at [email protected] or visit https://ncs.appstate.edu.

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Nationally Competitive Scholarships Joins University College
Nationally Competitive Scholarships Joins University College
University College
July 18, 2019

University College at Appalachian State University, one of nine colleges and schools within Appalachian’s Division of Academic Affairs, recently welcomed the Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships (NCS) — formerly known as Nationally Competitive Scholarships — to its division of 17 departments and programs.

Read the story

About Nationally Competitive Scholarships

Nationally Competitive Scholarships (NCS) works with the Appalachian community to recruit and support students for nationally competitive scholarships and fellowships, including those that support research, teaching and critical language learning. This is achieved with outreach, mentorship and advising throughout the entire application and selection process. NCS is committed to helping undergraduate and graduate students find ways to connect their Appalachian education to their future endeavors through scholarship opportunities. Learn more at https://ncs.appstate.edu.

About University College

Formed in 2007, University College consists of the university’s general education program, faculty and student support, and co-curricular programming and support – all designed to support the work of students both inside and outside the classroom. All students at Appalachian begin their education in University College and benefit from its programs until they graduate. Learn more at https://universitycollege.appstate.edu.

About the College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college. These units span the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. CAS aims to develop a distinctive identity built upon our university's strengths, traditions and locations. The college’s values lie not only in service to the university and local community, but through inspiring, training, educating and sustaining the development of its students as global citizens. More than 6,800 student majors are enrolled in the college. As the college is also largely responsible for implementing App State’s general education curriculum, it is heavily involved in the education of all students at the university, including those pursuing majors in other colleges. Learn more at https://cas.appstate.edu.

About the College of Fine and Applied Arts

Appalachian State University’s College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance. Learn more at https://cfaa.appstate.edu.

About the Walker College of Business

The Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University delivers transformational educational experiences that prepare and inspire students to be ethical, innovative and engaged business leaders who positively impact their communities, both locally and globally. The college places emphasis on international experiences, sustainable business practices, entrepreneurial programs and real-world applications with industry. Enrolling more than 4,000 undergraduates in 11 majors, Walker College has the highest enrollment of full-time undergraduate students in the University of North Carolina System, and more than 250 graduate students are enrolled in the college’s three master’s programs. App State’s Walker College is accredited by AACSB International — the premier global accrediting body for business schools. Learn more at https://business.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, affordable education for all. 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.

“The Gilman Scholarship is a great and helpful scholarship worth applying for. It is competitive, but it’s a good way to challenge yourself.”

Gilman Scholar Raine Lo, a senior languages, literatures and cultures major with a concentration in East Asian languages and cultures

Nationally Competitive Scholarships Joins University College
Nationally Competitive Scholarships Joins University College
University College
July 18, 2019

University College at Appalachian State University, one of nine colleges and schools within Appalachian’s Division of Academic Affairs, recently welcomed the Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships (NCS) — formerly known as Nationally Competitive Scholarships — to its division of 17 departments and programs.

Read the story

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Share

Topics

  • Awards and Honors
  • Diversity
  • Global
  • Scholarships
  • Students

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian

Share

Topics

  • Awards and Honors
  • Diversity
  • Global
  • Scholarships
  • Students

Other Recent Posts

  • App State nursing program receives $1 million commitment from Bedford Falls Foundation
    App State nursing program receives $1 million commitment from Bedford Falls Foundation
  • 4 new and reappointed App State Board of Trustees members to begin new terms July 1
    4 new and reappointed App State Board of Trustees members to begin new terms July 1
  • App State awards degrees to over 4,200 graduates ready to shape the future
    App State awards degrees to over 4,200 graduates ready to shape the future
  • Student research and creative projects spotlighted at App State’s annual showcase
    Student research and creative projects spotlighted at App State’s annual showcase
  • Will Sears appointed vice chancellor of university advancement at App State
    Will Sears appointed vice chancellor of university advancement at App State
  • N.C. Governor Josh Stein to address graduates at App State commencement
    N.C. Governor Josh Stein to address graduates at App State commencement
  • App State honors 29 students, faculty and staff with 2025 Awards of Distinction
    App State honors 29 students, faculty and staff with 2025 Awards of Distinction
  • App State to offer AI concentration in master’s programs [faculty featured]
    App State to offer AI concentration in master’s programs [faculty featured]
    WFDD
  • Campus emergency siren test to be conducted May 7
    Campus emergency siren test to be conducted May 7
  • App State students help restore national wildlife refuge as part of Alternative Service Experience
    App State students help restore national wildlife refuge as part of Alternative Service Experience
  • Dr. Neva J. Specht appointed App State executive vice chancellor and provost
    Dr. Neva J. Specht appointed App State executive vice chancellor and provost
  • $2 million grant funds scholarships, supports STEM education for over 50 App State students
    $2 million grant funds scholarships, supports STEM education for over 50 App State students

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
  • Events
  • Videos
  • Galleries
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • COVID updates
  • Contact

App State

Copyright 2025 Appalachian State University. All rights reserved.

University Communications
ASU Box 32153
Boone, NC 28608
828-262-6156
[email protected]

Abouts

Disclaimer | EO Policy | Accessibility | Website manager: montaldipa (beltmr) .. | Website Feedback

Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram LinkedIn Snapchat