One of a record-setting 9 Fulbrights at Fairfield University

Ceylan Conger of Kensington, Md., has been awarded a Fulbright Scholarship, the most prestigious international scholarship awarded by the U.S. government, to conduct research in Turkey on "The Role of Women in the Modern Art Movement." Ceylan is one of nine recent Fairfield University graduates selected for the Fulbright, setting a record that nearly doubles the previous record of five. Before this stellar group, the university already held the most Fulbrights among master's granting universities across the country for two of the last three years. Ceylan, a politics major and art history minor, is one of nine recent Fairfield University graduates selected for the Fulbright, setting a record that nearly doubles the previous record of five.

Ceylan said she is interested in Turkey's current political and social issues. "As one of the most modernized countries of the Middle East, and in ongoing negotiations with the European Union, I believe Turkey will be advancing and changing in a very forward manner and I would like to be there to witness that."

In addition, Ceylan said her mother was born in Turkey and she hopes her travels there will help her to better understand that side of her family's culture and customs.

Ceylan will leave in September for Turkey where she will be working at the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art. Following her Fulbright, she would like to work in public service, possibly with the State Department in foreign relations.

The other Fairfield graduates awarded Fulbrights this year are:

Kathleen Bakarich, of Clifton, N.J., an accounting major, who will conduct research and take classes in international accounting and European Union business in Frankfurt, Germany;

Michael Davis, from Feeding Hills, Mass., who will conduct research in Brazil on the Environmental Impact of Ethanol Production;

Michael Meehan, from Holland, Pa., an economics major, who will research The Finance of Small Enterprises in Germany;

André Moraes, of Monroe, Conn., a finance major, who has an English Teaching Assistantship in Germany;

Courtney Pelletier, of Westminster, Mass., an art history major, who has an English Teaching Assistantship in Indonesia;

Matthew Ryder, of Hamden, Conn., a philosophy and individually designed major, who will be in China conducting research on "A Population's Chance for Assimilation Found within the Education of its Children";

Daniel Turco, from Upper Saddle River, N.J., an international studies/modern language (German) major, who has an English Teaching Assistantship in Germany; and

Alice Zapf, of Freehold, N.J., an international studies/German major, who will combine research into Austria's Role in International Politics with an English Teaching Assistantship.

Dr. Orin Grossman, academic vice president, said he couldn't be prouder of the students who set their goals high and then worked hard to achieve them. "These are very bright, inquisitive students who like a challenge. They are certainly a credit to our university." He also commended the faculty who so generously gave of their time and expertise as the students went through the demanding process and Associate Dean Miriam Gogol, who oversaw the Fulbright process on behalf of the University.

Fairfield University students have been awarded a total of 53 Fulbright Scholarships in the last 16 years.

Posted On: 08-08-2008 10:08 AM

Volume: 41 Number: 25