Connecticut College recognized as top Fulbright producer
For the third year in a row, Connecticut College has been recognized as a top producer of winners of the J. William Fulbright Fellowship among liberal arts colleges. The Chronicle of Higher Education published a list of top-producing institutions in its Oct. 19 print and online editions.
In the spring of this year, three graduating seniors were selected to receive the prestigious award, which allows scholars to live, teach and conduct research abroad for an academic year. Soren Gabrielson '07, who was awarded a 2008 Fulbright Fellowship, was awarded a second Fulbright in July of this year.
"The Fulbright program recognizes our students' academic intellect and civic engagement, and we are very proud of our Fulbright fellows," President Leo I. Higdon Jr. said. "That our students are regularly selected for Fulbright fellowships speaks volumes about our faculty's ability to nurture academic curiosity."
Connecticut College's 2009 Fulbright award winners are:
- Jessamyn Cox, a double major in German studies and art history from Rutland, Mass. Cox is teaching English in Germany and starting an afterschool art program that focuses on American art. A scholar in the College's Toor Cummings Center for International Studies and the Liberal Arts, Cox is considering pursuing a graduate degree when she returns to the United States.
- Soren Gabrielsen, who graduated from Connecticut College in 2007 with a double major in German studies and philosophy. Gabrielson taught English at a German school as a 2008 Fulbright fellow. With his 2009 Fulbright fellowship, he is teaching in a different German city.
- Lucy McAllister, a double major in German studies and environmental studies from Boulder, Colo. McAllister is teaching English and starting an English-language newspaper focusing on the environment at a German school. McAllister plans to eventually pursue a graduate degree in environmental law or environmental policy.
- Julia Norton, a double major in German studies and international relations from Rockport, Mass. Norton is teaching English and using theater to start conversations about difficult social issues, such as immigration, in Germany. Norton was a scholar in the College's Holleran Center for Community Action and Public Policy. She hopes to pursue theater and conduct further research on Germany's immigrant population after completing her Fulbright fellowship.
Each year, approximately 1,150 students are awarded Fulbright fellowships. Fulbright fellows receive round-trip transportation to the host country, a living stipend, research allowances and medical insurance. In addition to research, grantees are encouraged to get involved in cultural and community activities.
Connecticut College has a long history of producing Fulbright scholars. In fact, the college has even had three siblings receive Fulbright fellowships. Joshua Duclos '04 received a 2007 Fulbright fellowship to teach English and conduct research in Prague, Benjamin Duclos '08 received a 2008 Fulbright fellowship to teach English and conduct research in Germany and Elizabeth Duclos-Orsello '95, now an assistant professor of interdisciplinary studies and coordinator of American studies at Salem State College, has received a Fulbright to lecture at the University of Luxembourg this spring.
-Amy Martin
November 13, 2009
