Tuesday, December 05, 2017

Six UNCW students have been selected to receive Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships, awarded by the U.S. Department of State to students with financial need who want to study abroad or participate in international internships. UNCW had the highest number of scholarship awards among the nine North Carolina institutions with Gilman recipients for study in spring 2018.

“Studying or working in another country contributes to personal and academic growth as well as a broader perspective, but cost can be an obstacle for some students,” said Michael Wilhelm, associate vice chancellor for international programs. “Need-based programs like the Gilman scholarship enable more students to participate in these enriching international opportunities.”

The Gilman recipients, their host countries and the award amounts are: Isabelle Chan ’21, Ecuador, $3,500; Stephanie McMillan ’19, China, $5,000; Mckenzie Cooper ’20, France, $2,500; Jasmine Pierre ’19, United Kingdom, Bermuda, $2,000; Hugo Lugo ’19, Spain, $3,500; Kathryn (Holly) Tucker '18, Japan, $2,000.

The Gilman scholarship is a program of the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. It is named after the late Rep. Benjamin A. Gilman of New York, whose support was critical to passage of the International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000, which established the scholarship program.

Grants enable students who demonstrate financial need to take advantage of opportunities to study or work as interns in other countries. The Institute of International Education administers the program.

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs awarded 2,922 Gilman scholarships in the 2016-17 academic year from a pool of more than 10,000 applicants.

-- Tricia Vance

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