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Five Valparaiso University Alumni Receive Fulbright Awards

Five Fulbright grants have been extended to Valparaiso University recent alumni and graduating seniors. Through the Fulbright Program, these recipients will have the opportunity to meet, work, live with and learn from people of their host country while teaching or continuing their studies.

“We are thrilled to see the hard work and dedication of these fine young alumni recognized by the Fulbright Program,” said Mark L. Biermann, Ph.D., provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “Valparaiso University students receive an outstanding education that well prepares them for fruitful and meaningful lives, and I am confident these promising scholars will continue to excel and represent us well in their future achievements.”

In all, Valpo has 10 semi-finalists, five finalists, and one alternate for Fulbright grants this year. In the past 16 years, 42 Valpo students and alumni have been named Fulbright finalists.

The 2020 Valparaiso University Fulbright finalists and alternate are:

  • Alyssa Abbott ’20, finalist for an English teaching assistantship in Spain. Abbott received her bachelor’s in elementary education with minors in TESOL (teaching English to speakers of other languages) and Spanish.
  • Quincy Bullmer-Crosswhite ’20, finalist for an English teaching assistantship in Germany. A graduate of Christ College — The Honors College, Bullmer-Crosswhite received her bachelor’s in global service and German with a minor in humanities.
  • Claire Ehr ’19, finalist for an English teaching assistantship in South Korea. Ehr received her bachelor’s in English and humanities with minors in TESOL and psychology and is a Christ College Scholar.
  • Rachel Silcox ’19, finalist for an English teaching assistantship in Cambodia. Silcox received her bachelor’s in mechanical engineering and humanities and is a Christ College Scholar.
  • Quinn Stearns ’19, finalist for an English teaching assistantship in Thailand. Stearns received her bachelor’s in elementary education with a minor in TESOL.
  • Anna Corner ’20, alternate for an English teaching assistantship in France. Corner received her bachelor’s in French and international economics & cultural affairs.

The five Valpo finalists are among many U.S. citizens who earned opportunities to study, conduct research and teach abroad through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected on the basis of academic and professional achievement as well as a record of service and leadership in their respective fields.

Since its inception in 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided more than 370,000 participants — chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential — with the opportunity to exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns.