University of Portland has been named the top producer of Fulbright scholars in the nation among “master’s universities” for the third consecutive year, according to a study released today by the Chronicle of Higher Education. The University had six alumni win the prestigious grants to work and study abroad for 2012-13.
Three of the Fulbrights won by UP alumni for 2012-13 are for English teaching positions in Germany, while the others are for graduate studies in the United Kingdom, research in India, and English teaching in Spain.
The University has been a leader among its peer institutions in producing Fulbright scholars for several years, also ranking first nationally in 2011-12, 2010-11 and 2007-08 and second nationally in 2006-07, 2008-09 and 2009-10. Since 2001, students from University of Portland have earned 40 Fulbright grants.
“For more than a century the University of Portland has been devoted to superb teaching as a primary way of helping young people find and hone their incredible creative talents,” said University President Rev. E. William Beauchamp, C.S.C., “and we are very pleased to see our own students now bringing their talents worldwide through the Fulbright program. We really do think of our graduates as agents of hope and creativity in the world, and this is a particularly refreshing and influential way to bring the University’s mission into play internationally.”
The recipient of the graduate studies position in the United Kingdom is Kurt Berning of Mt. Angel, Ore., a finance and operations technology management graduate from the Pamplin School of Business. Berning also took part in the University’s Entrepreneur Scholars program, studied abroad in several continents, and co-founded the innovative non-profit Global ADE, which has raised more than $30,000 for education in developing countries.
The recipient of the Indian research grant is Jennifer Brannan of Camas, Wash., a civil engineering graduate from the Shiley School of Engineering who will conduct research on water treatment methods.
The recipient of the Spanish teaching grant is Chris Lew of Eugene, Ore., a biochemistry and Spanish graduate from the College of Arts and Sciences.
The recipients of the German teaching grants are: Jason Hortsch of Tigard, Ore., a mathematics graduate; Jessica Marsh of Sunnyvale, Calif., a psychology and German studies graduate; and Bianca McCluskey of Seattle, Wash., a German studies and English graduate. All studied in the College of Arts and Sciences.
“Because of the strength of our German program, we continue to see students selected for grants to Germany,” said John Orr, Assistant to the Provost for Fellowships and Grants. “But it is gratifying to witness our students succeeding in obtaining Fulbright Grants all around the world. They will represent the University of Portland and the United States well.”
The United States Fulbright program began in 1946 after World War II to “assist in the development of friendly, sympathetic and peaceful relations between the United States and other countries of the world” through the exchange of students, scholars and professionals. The program operates in more than 140 countries worldwide.