October 29th, 2009
Fulbright recognizes Texas State

Jessica Spangler, left, and Michael Trice, right.

STAFF REPORT

The Fulbright Program, the U.S. Department of State’s grant and scholarship initiative, recently listed Texas State among the colleges producing the most 2009-2010 Fulbright Fellows.

The success of the top producing institutions was highlighted in the Oct. 19 edition of “The Chronicle of Higher Education.”

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program equips future American leaders with the skills they need to thrive in an increasingly global environment by providing funding for one academic year of study, research or assistant teaching abroad.

Two students from Texas State won Fulbright awards for 2009-2010. Texas State was one of only four universities in its category to have all of its applicants selected for fellowships. The Texas State grantees are Jessica Spangler, who received a teaching assistantship grant to Germany, and Michael Trice, who received a full research grant to the United Kingdom.

“We are very proud to have been recognized by the Fulbright Program,” said Texas State Provost Perry Moore. “Texas State has an outstanding track record of recruiting and helping students compete for these awards.”

Texas State’s  Fulbright competition is administered by Fulbright Program Adviser Valentina Glajar, associate professor of German.

Under the Fulbright program, 1,559 American students in more than 100 different fields of study have been offered grants to study, teach English, and conduct research in more than 125 countries throughout the world beginning this fall.  Fulbright Fellows undertake self-designed programs in disciplines ranging from the social sciences, business, communication and performing arts to physical sciences, engineering and education.

Of the 1,557 Fulbrighters, 19 percent are at the Ph.D. degree level, 17 percent are at the Masters level, and 65 percent are at the Bachelors degree level.  Students receiving awards for this academic year applied through 570 colleges or universities.  The lists of Fulbright recipients are available at: www.fulbrightonline.org/us.

The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Financial support is provided by an annual appropriation from Congress to the Department of State, with significant contributions from participating governments and host institutions in the United States and abroad.

The J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board formulates policy guidelines and makes the final selection of all grantees.  The board members are appointed by the president.

In the United States, the Institute of International Education administers and coordinates the activities relevant to the U.S. Student Program, including conducting an annual competition for the scholarships.

The Fulbright Program also awards grants to American teachers and faculty to do research, lecture and teach overseas.  Some 3,850 new foreign Fulbright students and scholars come to the United States annually to study, carry out research and lecture at U.S. universities, colleges and secondary schools.