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Brad Baughman of New Buffalo, Mich., and Rebecca Dubord of Escanaba,
Mich., were among 1,000 students selected from a nationwide pool
of nearly 2,000 applicants to receive awards from the Benjamin
A. Gilman International Scholarship Program.
Since its inception in
2001, more than 13,000 students from across the nation have
received the prestigious Gilman Scholarship, which provides up
to $5,000 for American students to pursue overseas study for
college credit. To date, nine WMU students have received the
award.
The scholarship program
helps diversify the kinds of students who study abroad and the
countries and regions where they go. It is administered by the
Institute of International Education and sponsored by the U.S.
Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Baughman received a $4,000
Gilman Scholarship. A graduate of New Buffalo High School, he is
a senior majoring in global and international studies and
minoring in Arabic. He plans to study Arabic language at WMU's
newest study abroad partner, the American University of Sharjah
in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Baughman is the treasurer of
WMU's Arabic Language Club.
Dubord received a $4,500
Gilman Scholarship. A graduate of Escanaba Area Public High
School, she is a junior majoring in French and minoring in
global and international studies as well as Canadian studies.
She plans to study French language and culture at the Centre de
Linguistique Appliquée, Université de Franche-Comté in Besançon,
France. Dubord is former president of WMU's French Club and a
member of the Alpha Lamda Delta honor society and the National
Society of Collegiate Scholars.
Living and learning in a
vastly different environment of another nation is a special
experience for every student who participates, says retired U.S.
Rep. Benjamin A. Gilman of New York, who sponsored the
legislation creating the scholarship program that now bears his
name.
“(It)
not only exposes our students to alternate views, but also adds
an enriching social and cultural experience," Gilman says. "It
also provides our students with the opportunity to return home
with a deeper understanding of their place in the world,
encouraging them to be a contributor, rather than a spectator in
the international community.”
Allan Goodman, president of the Institute of International Education, adds that
the returning students are better prepared to assume leadership
roles within government and the private sector.
“It
is critical to the success of American diplomacy and business,"
Goodman says, "and the lasting ties that Americans make during
their international studies are important to our country in
times of conflict as well as times of peace."
Baughman and Dubord were
advised and supported in applying for the Gilman Scholarship by
Anastasia Kaml and Ann Ganz, their WMU study abroad specialists,
and Dr. Michelle Metro-Roland, WMU advisor for the Gilman
program and director of faculty and global program development
in the University's Haenicke Institute for Global Education.
Students receiving a
federal Pell Grant who are planning to study abroad are
encouraged to visit iie.org/gilman to learn more about the
scholarship. Eligible students interested in applying should
first contact the WMU Gilman advisor at michelle.metro-roland@wmich.edu
or (269) 387-5890.
Visit wmich.edu/studyabroad
to learn more about WMU's study abroad offerings and
scholarships or call the office at (269) 387-5890.
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