This badge signifies Appalachian State University is a top producer of Fulbright scholars and students for the 2020–21 academic year. App State is one of 17 schools nationwide to receive this honor. Image courtesy of Fulbright Program
BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University has been recognized as a top producing institution for Fulbright scholars and students for the 2020–21 academic year, according to the U.S. Department of State and Institute of International Education (IIE). The university is among 17 schools nationwide to receive this honor.
Three App State faculty and a record-setting five alumnae were awarded 2020–21 Fulbrights to study, teach and/or research abroad through the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program.
“Given the caliber of our faculty and their dedication to scholarship, I am not surprised our candidates are so often awarded Fulbrights,” said App State Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Heather Hulburt Norris. “These opportunities for them to collaborate internationally while furthering their research infuse our academic and local communities with valuable global literacy and provide opportunities for ongoing cultural exchange.”
This is the fifth time App State has placed in the top 10 list for Fulbright U.S. Scholars among master’s institutions, and the second time the university has made the list for the number of students and/or alumni selected for the Fulbright Program.
See the list of 2020–21 top producers for Fulbright scholars and students.
Faculty Fulbright recipients
App State’s three faculty Fulbright recipients for the 2020–21 award cycle:
- The College of Arts and Sciences’ Dr. Suzanna Bräuer in the Department of Biology, who is teaching graduate courses at the University of Eastern Finland (UEF) and engaging in research with UEF colleagues on how methane-producing microbes impact climate change.
- The College of Arts and Sciences’ Dr. Eric Karchmer in the Department of Anthropology, who has traveled to Taiwan to study how traditional Chinese medicine is being adapted to treat emerging diseases and illnesses, primarily in children.
- The College of Fine and Applied Arts’ Dr. Gregory Perreault in the Department of Communication, who is co-teaching a graduate-level research methods seminar at Austria’s University of Vienna and studying differences in journalistic values and practices between Austrian digital journalists and their American counterparts.
Alumnae Fulbright recipients
Of the 10,300-plus applicants nationally for the 2020–21 Fulbright award cycle, less than a quarter were awarded Fulbrights.
Ten App State student and alumni semifinalists were chosen from 15 applicants, with five ultimately offered the award — a record for the university.
App State’s awardees:
- Alexandra “Lexie” All ’20, of Clayton, received a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) to Spain. All earned her Bachelor of Science in languages, literatures and cultures with a concentration in Spanish, education (K–12) and minors in teaching English as a second language (TESL)/applied linguistics and mathematics.
- Caroline Sager ’18, of Raleigh, received a Fulbright ETA to Cyprus. Sager earned a Bachelor of Arts in languages, literatures and cultures with a concentration in Spanish and Hispanic studies and a B.S. in political science with a concentration in international and comparative politics.
- Nancy Patterson ’16, of Auburn, Alabama, received a Fulbright ETA to Mexico. She earned a Bachelor of Social Work with a minor in Spanish.
- Hayley Rose ’19 ’20, of Waxhaw, received a Fulbright ETA to the European country of Bosnia and Herzegovina. She is a two-time graduate of App State, holding a Master of Arts in special education, a graduate certificate in autism spectrum disorders and dual B.S. degrees in middle grades education with concentrations in science and social studies.
- Katelyn Wilder ’20, of Mebane, received the Fulbright/Global Wales Postgraduate Award. She earned dual B.A. degrees in English-creative writing and English-literary studies.
Applicants are vetted by their institutions before moving to review at the National Screening Committee level, where applications are reviewed by experts in the field/geographic region from institutions across the U.S. Being named a semifinalist means that this committee found a candidate strong enough to be moved on to the in-country commission for final review.
Last year, App State was named the nation’s top producer of Fulbright scholars among master’s institutions, with six faculty and one administrator receiving the prestigious award during the 2019–20 award cycle.
About the Fulbright Program
Now in its 75th year, the Fulbright Program was created to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The primary source of funding for the Fulbright Program is an annual appropriation made by the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Over 900 U.S. college and university faculty and administrators and over 2,200 U.S. students are awarded Fulbright grants annually. In addition, some 4,000 Fulbright Foreign Students and Visiting Scholars come to the U.S. annually to study, lecture, conduct research or teach their native language.
Since its inception in 1946, the Fulbright Program has given more than 400,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists and professionals of all backgrounds and fields the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to important international problems. The global network of Fulbrighters fosters mutual understanding between the U.S. and partner nations, advances knowledge across communities and improves lives around the globe.
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About the Office of International Education and Development
The OIED is responsible for spearheading the internationalization efforts at Appalachian. The internationalization mission of Appalachian is to develop awareness, knowledge, appreciation and respect of cultural differences in both domestic and international contexts in its students, faculty, staff and the surrounding communities. The university is also dedicated to creating a campus environment that builds the theoretical and practical skills needed to interact effectively in a global society. Learn more at https://international.appstate.edu.
About the Office of Research
Appalachian State University’s Office of Research provides support for the research, creative, and scholarly endeavors of Appalachian faculty, staff and students. The office consists of four units: Grants Resources and Services, Sponsored Programs, Research Design and Analysis, and Research Protections. The Office of Research also collaborates with the university’s Special Funds Accounting on the fiscal management of awarded projects. Learn more at https://research.appstate.edu.
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 Appalachian State University
As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls nearly 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.
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