Sixteen Berea College students won Gilman Scholarships for international study this summer in seven countries on five continents. Morgan Guess will study in Argentina; Justin Vankirk in Australia; Kerron Liggins and Caitlyn Roberts in Ecuador; Ethan Dye in France; Moriah Avery, Kristen Timmins and Victoria Otto in Ireland; and Furaha Irankunda and Elizabeth Owens in Tanzania. Another student, Izabella Walker, was named an alternate for study in Thailand. Six other Berea students had previously been notified earlier this spring that their advance scholarship applications had been approved for study abroad this summer. They include Lucas Collett and Brianna Dewitt who will study in Ireland, Nicole Itumba in Argentina, Kailyn Johnson in Sri Lanka, Day’sha’ron Sloan in China and Alonna Walker in Tanzania.
The Congressionally funded Gilman Program broadens the U.S. student population studying and interning abroad by providing scholarships to outstanding undergraduate Pell Grant recipients who, due to financial constraints, might not otherwise study abroad. Since the program’s establishment in 2001, more than 1,300 U.S. institutions have sent approximately 28,000 Gilman scholars who represent the rich diversity of the United States to 145 countries around the globe.
“Gilman scholarships provide an amazing financial incentive for students to realize their dream of studying abroad,” said Ann Butwell, Berea’s Education Abroad advisor. “Our recipients are thrilled to be selected for $42,000 in Gilman scholarship funds this year. I am so proud of our Berea students!”
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of State recognized Berea College as one of the U.S. higher education institutions that sent the most students overseas through the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program in the 2017-18 academic year. Berea was noted for its success in making international study and internships more accessible and inclusive for American students of all backgrounds through the Gilman program. Berea College was cited for success in seven categories: as a top producer among colleges with less than 5,000 undergrads, top producer for first-generation college students, top producer for most unique destinations, top producer for students with disabilities, top producer for racial and ethnic minority students, greatest growth for first-generation college students and greatest growth for students with disabilities.
The Gilman Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is supported in its implementation by the Institute of International Education. View a complete list of students who have been selected to receive Gilman scholarships, including students’ home state, university and host country.