Wheaton fourth nationally among Fulbright-winning colleges

[NORTON, Mass.] --The Institute for International Education (IIE) announced this week that Wheaton College tied for fourth place among American undergraduate institutions in Fulbright Awards won last year with six students and alumni earning the prestigious national scholarships.

"It was another great year for Wheaton in the Fulbright competition," Associate Dean of Studies Alex Trayford said. "Wheaton students had a 40 percent success rate in last year's competition."

Four members of the Class of 2005 and two alumnae won Fulbright scholarships last year: Henry Gerlits '05 of Franklin, Mass., is teaching English in South Korea; John Heywood '05 of Oakland, Calif., is studying emerging Internet technology in Estonia; Tamar Palandjian '05 of Warwick, R.I., is studying the role of youth in the democratization of Armenia; and Karin Seeber '05 of Groton, Mass., teaches English and American studies in Germany. Alumnae Megan Shea '04 and Joy Williams '03 are studying in the Czech Republic and Colombia, respectively.

"This honor is another major accomplishment for Wheaton students and the faculty and staff who support them," Wheaton Provost Susanne Woods said. "Wheaton's unique curriculum and our Center for Global Education have allowed us to emphasize a global perspective, and the Fulbright program has helped our students aspire to global knowledge beyond their undergraduate experience. We are proud of our students and grateful to Fulbright."

The Fulbright 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 or research abroad. The program awards approximately 1,100 grants annually and operates in over 140 countries, where fellows undertake self-designed programs in a wide range of disciplines.

Wheaton students and alumni won 20 prestigious national scholarships last academic year. In addition to the six Fulbright winners, Carolyn Wills of Salt Lake City, Utah, won Wheaton's second Rhodes in four years; Tyler Matteson of Epsom, N.H., and Liza Semler of Middlesex, Vt., won the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship; Alex Dewar of Portland, Ore., and Myles Matteson of Epsom, N.H., were named Truman Scholars; five seniors won French Government Teaching Assistantships: and two other alumni won Rotary scholarships.