Three McConnell Scholars win Fulbright awards

(April 20, 2010) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Graduating seniors to teach English in Sri Lanka, Thailand and Argentina
Three McConnell Scholars win Fulbright awards

Three McConnell Scholars have been awarded Fulbright Scholarships, which are administered by the U.S. Department of State.

Three McConnell Scholars have been awarded Fulbright English Teaching Scholarships around the world.

Senior Jamie Giles is one of 10 students headed to Thailand to teach conversational English in a middle or high school.

Senior Tejas Shastry is part of the inaugural Fulbright teaching class to Sri Lanka. Only two grants were awarded for the country. Following his time in Sri Lanka, Shastry plans to earn a M.A. in History and a Ph.D. in Philosophy.

Senior Boris Yelin will join 14 other students at Teaching Training Institutes in Argentina. Following his assistantship, Yelin plans to earn a dual degree in J.D./M.A. diplomacy studies.

"We are very proud of all our seniors, but to have three win Fulbright scholarships to study and teach overseas is truly an accomplishment," said Dr. Gary Gregg, director of the McConnell Center. "I would venture to say that no program our size in the country could boast such a success rate for winning these prestigious awards. Our thoughts go with Tejas, Boris and Jamie as they bring some of their light to other corners of the world."

Two other McConnell Scholars have received Fulbright Awards. Chris Kenner (Class of 2003) earned a Fulbright Fellowship for 2003-2004 to Germany. GlyptusAnn Grider (Class of 2007) earned a Fulbright Teaching Assistantship to South Korea.

The U.S. Student Fulbright Program operates in more than 140 countries, awarding grants in nearly all fields and disciplines to approximately 1,500 students a year.