Five Oglethorpe students have been awarded the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, to study abroad.
Congratulations to this year’s scholarship recipients:
Jada Thomas ’23, International Studies major — Cape Town, South Africa in Summer 2023
Brandynn Campbell ’23, Business Administration major — Lille, France in Summer 2023
Arleni Huerta ’25, Biology major — Costa Rica in Spring 2024
Morgan Deehan ’23, Psychology major — Rome, Italy in January 2023
Savannah Hoggatt ’24, International Studies major — Japan in Fall 2022
“My time abroad in Japan through Gilman was an experience that I will forever remember,” said Hoggatt. “I am grateful for the opportunity to experience and learn more about Japanese culture and history alongside making new friends.”
Dr. Marisa Atencio, assistant dean and director of Global Education, has worked closely with OU students each year to increase the number of Gilman Scholarship applicants. This past academic year had the highest number of Oglethorpe applicants and recipients.
“I wish more students would start a conversation with Global Education early on to fully explore their options. Students can study abroad for as little as a week up to a year, and with time and planning, there is an option for everyone to explore the world through immersive virtual and in-person experiences,” shared Dr. Atencio.
“Studying abroad isn’t just travel, it requires a bit more planning and preparation, but unlike a vacation abroad, it often results in a shift in mindset, expands our view of ourselves, and our understanding of how we fit into the world.”
The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is a grant program that enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, thereby gaining skills critical to national security and economic competitiveness. The program broadens the population that studies abroad by supporting undergraduates who might not otherwise participate due to financial constraints — a group historically underrepresented in education abroad.
