Nine students from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, have been awarded a total of $32,000 in Gilman Scholarships to support their study abroad programs. The Gilman Scholarship, named after former Congressman Benjamin Gilman, aims to broaden access to international education for students of limited financial means.
Here are the recipients and their plans:
Sandy Sunshine Cooper – A senior majoring in linguistics and French and Francophone studies, Cooper will study at the University of Bordeaux in France, engaging in service-based learning and exploring historical sites. Cooper aims to improve French language skills and immerse in the local community.
Jerry Custalow – A senior double majoring in language and world business (with a focus on Japanese) and international business, Custalow will attend Kansai Gaidai University in Japan. Living with a host family, Custalow plans to deeply immerse in Japanese culture and language.
Ryan Herzog – A senior studying neuroscience and biochemistry and molecular biology, Herzog will travel to the UK through UT’s Neuroscience in the UK program. He will study multisensory perception integration and the neurobiological basis of stress, experiences that will enrich his future medical career.
Makayla Inmon – A sophomore studying animal science, Inmon will go to Belize to work with veterinarians caring for small animals. This experience aligns with her goal of becoming a veterinarian, offering exposure to different cultural practices in veterinary care.
Zaria Kendall – A recent graduate with a degree in psychology and a minor in data science, Kendall will pursue a psychology program in Vienna, Austria. The Gilman Scholarship enables her to fulfill her dream of studying abroad.
Layla Moore – A sophomore dual majoring in political science and studio art, Moore will attend a Political Science Summer program in London. The scholarship alleviates financial pressures, allowing her to explore government and art in a new cultural context.
McKenzie Owen – A senior studying geology and geographic information systems, Owen will research clean technology in Iceland. Her project involves creating a suitability model for climate technology using geographic information systems.
Daniel Peoples – A junior studying finance, Peoples will complete an international summer internship in Madrid, Spain. This opportunity is seen as an investment in his personal and professional development, enhancing his academic pursuits.
Pending Recipient – The final award is awaiting student acceptance.
The next application cycle for the Gilman Scholarship opens in mid-August, with a deadline of October 10. UT students interested in fellowship opportunities can visit the Undergraduate Research and Fellowships website or contact the Programs Abroad office for support.
Meredith Malburne-Wade, director of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships, congratulated the students for their dedication and wished them an extraordinary experience abroad, highlighting the transformative power of international education.
