Fox Cities News

Seven students and recent graduates from Lawrence University have been named semifinalists for the U.S. Fulbright Student Award. The candidates will await final grantee announcements, expected between April and June.

This year, eleven individuals from Lawrence applied for the Fulbright, an increase from ten last year. Among them, seven have reached the semifinalist stage:

- Jonathan Bass, a senior double majoring in music performance (piano) and French from Greenville, Wisconsin, is vying for the Fulbright-Harriet Hale Woolley Award in the Arts.

- Gunner Bauer '23 pursued majors in government and Russian studies and seeks an English Teaching Assistant Award to Slovakia.

- Linnea Morris, a senior Spanish major from Green Bay, Wisconsin, aims for an English Teaching Assistant Award to Mexico.

- A.J. Ulwelling '23 was a double major in international relations and Russian studies; they are pursuing an English Teaching Assistant Award to Georgia.

- Miri Villerius '23 studied music and religious studies as a double major and is seeking an English Teaching Assistant Award to Italy.

- Ayla Walther '23 is working toward teacher certification with hopes of securing an English Teaching Assistant Award to Germany.

- Elena Yank, a senior with majors in English (literature) and Spanish from Franklin, Wisconsin, also seeks an English Teaching Assistant Award to Mexico.

Claire Kervin, assistant professor of English and director of fellowships advising at Lawrence University commented on the significance of being named a semifinalist: "I'm so inspired by all of our candidates who worked diligently to design proposals, write application essays, and revise their materials based on feedback from advisors and mentors,” she said. “Fulbright is an extremely competitive program... becoming a semifinalist is a significant accomplishment."

The Fulbright awards offer opportunities for U.S. citizens to study or teach abroad or conduct research internationally for nine to twelve months. The program promotes cultural exchange aiming at greater mutual understanding between nations.

Kervin leads Lawrence's Fulbright Committee that assists applicants through interviews and endorsement preparations.

The Fulbright Program receives funding through annual appropriations by the U.S. Congress directed to the Department of State. Additional support comes from participating governments worldwide along with host institutions, corporations, and foundations across more than 160 countries.