Madison Aubury Pumphrey

Madison Pumphrey has earned a Boren Scholarship to study Portuguese. After spending part of the summer at the University of Florida studying the language, she will travel to Mozambique and attend Universidade Eduardo Mondlane and live with a host family.

Boren Scholarships are part of the National Security Education Program and provide funds for college students to study languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests. The students typically travel to Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America and the Middle East. In exchange for funding, Boren Scholars commit to working in the federal government for at least one year after graduation.

“I became an engineer to open as many doors for myself as possible. The door to live, learn, and work in a foreign country is one of the doors I have dreamed of walking through for as long as I can remember. I am overflowing with joy for the opportunity to grow as both an engineer and as a person throughout this adventure!”

Collegiate experience

• Areas of Study:

  • Graduated May, 2019, with a degree in industrial engineering from the J. B. Speed School of Engineering.

Inspired By

Heather Mann- Supporting my growth as a leader since the day she met me, and always believing in my capabilities, supported me throughout the application process.

Bethany Smith- Encouraging me to apply, supported me throughout the application process, and was always available anytime I needed anything!

Dr. Mark French- Encouraging me to apply, and writing one of my recommendation letters.

Hometown information

• Hometown:

  Shelbyville, Kentucky

• High school:

  Martha Layne Collins High School (2015)

• Parents:

  Cindy Thein of Shelbyville and William Pumphrey of Finchville