Nine Ohio University alumni and professors will spend part of this academic year overseas teaching and conducting research as part of the Fulbright Scholar Program.
Recipients of the awards include Ohio alumni Roger Anderson, Andrea Chen, Jill Granberg, Ben Hargrove, Amelia Krales, Aaron Malone and Jordan Pleasant, along with OU Professor Emeritus of Art Joe Bova and David Mould, a retired professor of media arts and studies.
The Fulbright Scholar Program allows higher education faculty and independent scholars the chance to lecture and conduct research abroad. This year's projects cover a wide spectrum of topics ranging from the dangers of rising ocean levels to surrealist Bengali literature.
It'll be different for all of them
they are going to be doing such different and fascinating things. It really depends on the person said Elizabeth Clodfelter, the director of U.S. Fulbright Programs at Ohio University. It is such a complex program because there are so many different options for people.
Hargrove, who graduated in August with a master's in cultural studies in education, will be studying the effects of visual impairment on higher education in Indonesia. He said that despite the tedious nature of the application, winning the award makes the whole experience much more rewarding.
The application process was the worst part said Hargrove. It was a great deal of relief that I actually received the award ... It made it seem that the people that actually reviewed my application appreciated the research that I wanted to be doing.
Although there were only two faculty members and no student Fulbright winners during the 2001-02 school year, 73 OU students and 21 faculty members have received the award since then.
All of the participants had to go through a strenuous application process, which includes writing two essays, collecting letters of recommendation and transcripts, and planning what classes to take while in Athens to properly prepare them for the experience, Clodfelter said.
Research and arts have to establish contacts in the country they're going ... figure out a specific spot on the map
who they'll work with
what resources they'll need access to; there is a lot that goes into it
Clodfelter said. Students are very wise to think in advance about applying - like a year in advance.
Pleasant, who graduated in June with a degree in philosophy and art history, is currently in India working on his project, which involves translating contemporary surrealist poetry from Bengali into English.
This award and the work I'm doing in India will shape my life from here on out
said Pleasant. I will stay in India and teach at a private college after my Fulbright award ends.
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Culture
Pat Holmes
