Two Roanoke students to attend Fulbright Summer Institute in UK
May 16, 2018
Two Roanoke College students have been selected by the US-UK Fulbright Commission to experience the UK through the Fulbright Summer Institute.
Rising sophomore Casey Wilson of Harrisonburg, Virginia, will be one of eight students attending the summer institute on identity and nationhood at Aberystwyth University in Wales in June and July. "I look forward to meeting other like-minded students and learning with them," says Wilson. "However, most of all, the Fulbright Program is about being a cultural ambassador, so I cannot wait to bring a piece of America with me to Wales and bring my experiences and new knowledge back home to share with others."
On campus, Wilson is a member of the Honors Program, a senator in the Student Government Association, a DJ at WRKE Radio Station, and an active member of Roanoke Catholic Campus Ministry.
Rising junior Jenna Novosel of Severna Park, Maryland, will be one of six students studying British film and media at the University of Birmingham in July and August. "I am obviously thrilled at this opportunity, but it doesn't feel real yet," says Novosel. "I am hoping to gain new perspectives and come back a more knowledgeable and seasoned individual."
Novosel is involved in RC Lutherans, the Roanoke Review and the theatre department on campus. She also works in Fintel Library and in the Writing Center.
The US-UK Fulbright Commission’s Summer Institutes, open to only US freshmen and sophomores, are more competitive than the US Fulbright Student competition. And for a school to have not one but two recipients in the same year is just extraordinary.
Jenny Rosti, director of major scholarships and fellowships
The Commission selects participants through a rigorous application and interview process. In making these awards, the Commission looks not only for academic excellence but a focused application, a range of extracurricular and community activities, demonstrated ambassadorial skills, a desire to further the Fulbright Program and a plan to give back to the recipient's home country upon returning.
Seven Roanoke College students have participated in the US-UK Fulbright Summer Institute in the last six years.
"The US-UK Fulbright Commission's Summer Institutes, open to only US freshmen and sophomores, are more competitive than the US Fulbright Student competition. And for a school to have not one but two recipients in the same year is just extraordinary," says Director of Major Scholarships and Fellowships Jenny Rosti.
"A political science major, Casey will be learning about global politics through Wales's lens while Jenna, a literary studies major who is a classic film aficionado, is in a program that includes visits to Warner Bros. Leavesden Studio where all eight Harry Potter movies were filmed and the BBC Center. These opportunities certainly will make the multiple drafts they wrote and the late nights editing worthwhile!"
The Summer Institutes form part of the US-UK Fulbright Commission's work to promote leadership, learning and empathy between nations through educational exchange.