UO ranks fourth in Gilman Scholars with 18 recipients

Eighteen UO students have been selected as Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship recipients for summer 2014 — the highest number of recipients the UO has ever had in one application cycle.

The UO now ranks fourth nationally in the highly competitive scholarship that helps students cover the costs of their study abroad program, research or internship.

“Our record cohort of Gilman Scholars reflects how strongly we encourage students to be global citizens and gain new experiences,” said Dennis Galvan, vice provost for international affairs.  “When we mentor students interested in the Gilman scholarship, we encourage them to see it as an incredible opportunity to gain better understanding of cultures, countries, languages and economies.” 

The UO recipients are part of a total of 1,100 American undergraduate students from 358 colleges and universities across the United States selected to receive the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. There were six UO Gilman Scholars in 2013.

Gilman Scholars receive up to $5,000 to apply towards study abroad program costs.  The program aims to diversify the students who study abroad and the countries and regions where they go. Students receiving a federal Pell Grant from two- and four-year institutions are eligible to apply.

UO student and 2014 Gilman Scholar Kaylee Brown is planning to travel to Ghana this summer for a multimedia internship through the School of Journalism and Communication. Brown, from Bend, wants to produce a documentary to show other aspiring study-abroad students what it’s like to work and study in Africa.

“I’ve known since I started my education path at the UO that I wanted to participate in this program,” said Brown. “I hope by going to Africa it will change my Westernized perspective of the continent and country as a whole.”

During the 2014 summer term, UO Gilman recipients will participate in study abroad programs and internships in Austria, Bolivia, China, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Russia, Spain and Uruguay.

“We are very proud of the success our students in this highly competitive awards process. It is gratifying to see this payoff from their hard work and dedication to their studies," said Stephen Wooten, UO director of study abroad.

2014 UO Gilman Scholars, their destinations, hometowns and majors:
Jonathan Bach, Austria (Valencia, California, Russian and Eastern European Studies)
Marija Boise, Indonesia (Portland, Oregon, Family and Human Services)
Kaylee Brown, Ghana (Bend, Oregon, Journalism)
Ashley Collingwood, Malaysia (Petaluma, California, Computer Information)
Megan Connor, Ghana (Eugene, Oregon, Public Relations/School of Journalism and Communications
Karen De La Torre, Bolivia (Mesa, Arizona,  Biology)
Alexandria Deitz, Russia (Lake Oswego, Oregon, Political Science)
Eden Demise, China (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Lundquist College of Business)
Laughton Elliott-Deangelis, India (Juneau, Alaska, Psychology)
Gretchen Henderson, Ghana (Sunnyvale, California, Journalism)
Lizzete Hernandez-De La Torre, Spain (Palo Alto, California, Spanish and Educational Foundations)
Fayine Hussien, South Africa (San Diego, California, International Studies)
Pauline Huynh, Bolivia (Portland, Oregon, Human Physiology)
Kylie Juggert, India (Portland, Oregon, International Studies)
Jeffrey Mercado, Uruguay (Los Angeles, California, Communications Studies)
Clifton Rose, Russia (Bellevue, Washington, Journalism)
Yvonne Silva, Jordan & Spain (Fresno, California, International Studies)
Manikandan Woodward, China (India, Human Physiology)

Top 5 U.S. universities for Gilman recipients: 
1. University of Texas, Austin – 46
2. University of California, Berkeley – 39
3. University of Arizona – 25
4. University of Oregon – 18
    University of California, Los Angeles – 18
5. University of California, San Diego – 16
    University of Florida - 16