UW-Madison is a leader in Fulbright fellows with top 10 ranking

UW-Madison ranked ninth among research universities in the number of student Fulbright fellows, according to data recently released by the Fulbright program.

The ranking is an improvement over last year, when the university ranked 11th.

Of the 20 UW–Madison students who received Fulbright Institute of International Education (IIE) fellowships for 2008-09, 18 accepted. In total, 1,450 U.S. citizens will travel abroad for the 2008-09 academic year through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.

“Fulbright fellowships help students acquire the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in an increasingly global environment,” says Gilles Bousquet, dean of the Division of International Studies and director of the International Institute. “We are proud that UW–Madison’s students stand at the forefront of global competence and engagement; it is testimony to the strength of our area and international programs.”

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides funding for one academic year of study, research or assistant teaching abroad. The program is sponsored by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, with significant contributions from participating governments and host institutions.

In addition to the Fulbright IIE fellowships, six doctoral students from UW–Madison received Fulbright-Hays awards for dissertation research abroad.

Five faculty members also received grants through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program for researching and teaching. Bernadette Baker (education), Naomi C. Chesler (engineering), Nancy Kendall (education), Thomas Lipo (engineering) and Gregory Nemet (public affairs) will spend some of the year in Finland, Belgium, Mozambique, Norway and Germany, respectively.

Additionally, two UW faculty received Fulbright-Hays Faculty Research Abroad awards: Jeremy Foltz (Agricultural and Applied Economics) and Steve Ridgely (East Asian Languages and Literature) who will work in Mali and Japan, respectively.

In 2008-09, UW–Madison will also host 11 Fulbright Visiting Scholars from around the world who will conduct research and teach in the fields of civil engineering, philosophy, food science and economic development, among others.

Since its establishment in 1946, under legislation introduced by the late Sen. J. William Fulbright of Arkansas, the program has provided 286,500 people with an opportunity to research and teach in different political, economic, educational and cultural institutions to exchange ideas and embark on joint ventures for the general welfare of the world’s inhabitants. 

Following is a list of UW–Madison students who received Fulbright awards for 2008-09, their destinations and their research areas.

Fulbright IIE Fellowships

Heather Akin, Indonesia, English Teaching Assistantship Abroad (ETA)

Jill Baumgartner, China, public health

Jocelyn Behm, China, biology

Jason Colburn, European Union, law

Claire Doughty, Germany, ETA

Laura Heideman, Croatia, sociology

Gregg Jamison, India, archaeology

Keri Klika, Germany, ETA

Ashok Kumar, Sri Lanka, economic development

Elijiah Lewien, Nepal, political science

Timothy Lore, Germany, ETA

Michael Olson, Netherlands, linguistics

Sarah Park, Senegal, history

Even Parks, Poland, engineering

Kimberly Van Ryzin, Mexico, biology

Amanda Volbert, Czech Republic, teaching English as a foreign language

Michelle Wing, France, history

Lynn Wolff, Germany, language and literature

Fulbright Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad:

Tamara Feinstein, Peru, history

Leela Haazah, Kenya, environmental studies-land resources

Joseph Harris, Thailand, sociology

Tricia Olsen, Brazil, Mexico, political science

Natalie Porter, Vietnam, anthropology

Susan Rottman, Turkey, cultural anthropology