Wheaton ranks among top ten in Fulbrights

Seven students from Wheaton won Fulbright Scholarships in 2008, placing the college among the top ten liberal arts colleges in the country. The success of the top Fulbright-producing institutions was highlighted in the October 24th edition of The Chronicle of Higher Education (registration required).

"A Fulbright Award can be a life-changing event. Giving young adults the opportunity to research, live and study abroad changes not only how they view the world, but builds the framework for international perspective and understanding," said Ronald A. Crutcher, president of Wheaton College who was himself a recipient of a Fulbright Award to Germany. "We are very proud of our students' exceptional leadership capabilities and their passion to make a difference."

The Fulbright U.S. Student 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, research or assistant teaching abroad.

Fellows undertake self-designed programs in disciplines ranging from the social sciences, business, communication and performing arts to physical sciences, engineering and education. Is the largest U.S. international exchange program offering opportunities for students, scholars, and professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced research, university teaching, and teaching in elementary and secondary schools worldwide. About 1,500 students and 1,300 scholars from the United States and abroad are studying and working on Fulbrights this academic year.

Started in 1946, the international academic-exchange program offers grants that are awarded by binational Fulbright commissions and financed by the U.S. government and the government of each country in which the awards are available. This year the United States contributed nearly $221-million to the fellowships.

The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Financial support is provided by an annual appropriation from Congress to the Department of State, with significant contributions from participating governments and host institutions in the United States and abroad. The Presidentially appointed J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board formulates policy guidelines and makes the final selection of all grantees.

In the United States, the Institute of International Education administers and coordinates the activities relevant to the U.S. Student Program, including conducting an annual competition for the scholarships.

Lists of Fulbright recipients and information about the award are available at www.fulbrightonline.org/us.