5 honors students receive prestigious study-abroad scholarships

Kaleigh Johnson, an Arizona State University chemical engineering major and student in Barrett, the Honors College, has never traveled abroad – until now.

Her first overseas trip has come courtesy of a prestigious scholarship from the US-UK Fulbright Commission.

Johnson is one of five ASU students who have been awarded scholarships to participate in the 2015 Fulbright Summer Institute in the United Kingdom. Like Johnson, the other four also are Barrett Honors College students.

The US-UK Fulbright Commission is the only bilateral, transatlantic scholarship program offering awards and summer opportunities for study or research in any field at any accredited U.S. or UK university. The commission is part of the Fulbright program established by U.S. Sen. J. William Fulbright in the aftermath of World War II to promote leadership, learning and empathy between nations through educational exchange.

Each year, the commission provides scholarships to about 60 undergraduate students in the U.S. and the United Kingdom for programs at leading institutes in those two nations. This year, the commission is hosting nine Summer Institute programs throughout the UK.

“There are only 60 scholarships available, so with these students winning, ASU students will represent 8.3 percent of all 2015 Fulbright UK Summer Institute scholars. That’s a significant achievement,” said Jacquelyn Scott Lynch, Deans Fellow and Honors Faculty Fellow at Barrett Honors College, who assists students with applying for national and international scholarships.

Johnson will spend four weeks, June 27-July 25, at the University of Exeter, where she will participate in Fulbright Week exploring climate-change issues and three weeks at the university’s International Summer School.

“I was thrilled to find out I was selected to attend the University of Exeter. As it will be my first experience with global travel, I am excited to gain a broadened perspective and see what life is like as a university student in the UK,” she said.

“I also hope to learn how universities in the UK are tackling important issues involving sustainability. I hope the knowledge I gain will make me a more well-founded engineer as I continue to research this important field through chemical engineering.”

Brandon Dorr, a biomedical engineering major, will spend June 10-26 at the University of Bristol, where he will study the transatlantic slave trade and its implications on current society.

“As a biomedical engineering major with an interest in economics and trade, the idea of being immersed in the living history of an economic hub such as Bristol will provide an outstanding opportunity to develop as a scholar with a global mind-set," Dorr said.

“I hope to bring my interest in ethical considerations of trade practices into discussion, while studying alongside accomplished students from all over the United States.”

Brittney McCormick, a biological sciences major, will also go to the University of Bristol, where she will learn about the history and culture of Bristol and the UK, including the relevance of 18^th-century slave trade and smuggling, and explore the specific role Bristol has played in U.S. history.

Patricia “Patty” Esch, an engineering major, will head to Scotland for a five-week program, July 5-Aug. 8, at the University of Dundee and the University of Strathclyde.

Esch is NASA Space Grant undergrad research intern and has been working on computational models to study the co-existence and competition of mirror life-forms in the emergence@asu group. At the Summer Institute she will study Scottish history and identity, health and society in modern Scotland, and science and technology.

Jane Cadwalader, who is majoring in art and museum studies, will go to Nottingham Trent University on July 6-31 to participate in an academic program that examines local culture, history, architecture, fine art and museum and heritage studies.