North Central named among top colleges producing Fulbright scholars

Three North Central College students received Fulbright scholarships to study abroad during the 2014-15 academic year, putting the Naperville college among the U.S. institutions of higher learning that produced the highest number of Fulbright students last year.

This is the first time the Naperville college has earned this recognition. Top-producing institutions are highlighted by The Chronicle of Higher Education.

Last year, three North Central applicants received Fulbright English teaching assistantships: Ian Wright '14, Britney Kravish '14 and Mark Zajac '12. The award provides a fully funded one-year appointment abroad as a cultural ambassador and English teacher.

Wright and Zajac, who both studied German, are now in Germany, while Kravish, a Spanish major, was assigned to Mexico.

"This was the first time in college history that our students have earned three Fulbrights in a single year," said Perry Hamalis, Cecelia Schneller Mueller professor of religion, associate professor of religion and director of college honors programs.

"It is an accomplishment made possible by the quality of students we recruit, mentoring by our faculty and staff, and our strong study abroad, foreign language, and undergraduate research offerings - including summer research and Richter Grants. The provision of all these opportunities makes it possible for our students to compete for these awards."

Out of four North Central applicants last year, three received Fulbrights and a fourth applicant reached the final round. "This is testimonial to how strong our applicants were," Hamalis said.

"We are delighted at the news, especially since we consider Fulbright awards as a kind of confirmation of the ongoing internationalization of our campus," said Jack Shindler, professor of English and director of international programs.

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government's flagship international educational exchange program. More than 1,800 U.S. students, artists and young professionals in more than 100 different fields of study are offered Fulbright Program grants annually to study, teach English and conduct research. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program operates in more than 140 countries throughout the world.