Fairfield University has most Fulbrights in its category | Press Releases

Fairfield University has ranked number one among universities that grant master's degrees, in the Fulbright Program's list of colleges and universities that produced 2004-2005 U.S. Fulbright Fellows. Four Fairfield University graduates have received Fulbright Scholarships for this academic year, besting 55 other schools in the category, including Villanova University.

The Institute of International Education (IIE), the non-profit agency which administers the Fulbright program, and the Chronicle of Higher Education, ranked schools with Fulbright winners in four groups: doctoral/research universities, master's institutions, bachelor's institutions and "other specialized institutions," which includes arts colleges and Military academies. The categories were based on classifications of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

The Fulbright Grant is the most prestigious scholarship awarded by the U.S. government. The grant funds students to go abroad for one year after graduation to engage in independent research, teach, study and work. Under the program, 1,100 American students in 104 different fields of study have been offered grants to study, teach English, and conduct research in more than 110 countries throughout the world beginning this fall.

The four new award winners at Fairfield University bring to 33 the number of Fairfield University students who have been awarded Fulbrights since 1993. This years winners were: Blue Bell, Pa. resident Gerald Abbey (Taiwan); Lancaster, Pa. resident James Allwein (Greece); Hasbrouck Heights, N.J. resident James DiGuglielmo (Germany); and Wilbraham, Mass. resident Aelee Kwon (South Korea).

"We are thrilled to receive this recognition," said Miriam Gogol, Ph.D., associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. "At Fairfield we take the Fulbright process extremely seriously. We have a deeply devoted faculty committee which tirelessly works with our student applicants and we consider this opportunity an integral part of student education here." Gogol administers the University's rigorous Fulbright process, which includes screenings, interviews, and several redrafts of student proposals.

This year Fairfield University had an exceptional number of students go very far in the Fulbright process. In addition to the four winners, seven applicants were listed as alternates who would be awarded Fulbrights should another student decline the honor. Initially, 14 Fairfield University students were recommended by IIE National Screening Committee.

"The Fulbright Scholarship opens doors internationally and nationally," Dr. Gogol said. "Our candidates are often offered high-level positions as a result of their successful completion of their studies abroad."