Largest cohort in UO history awarded Gilman scholarships

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Nineteen students, the largest number of recipients in University of Oregon history, have been awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study abroad in summer 2019.

The UO ranks sixth in the nation for Gilman recipients for the 2019 application process. The Institute of International Education usually receives 3,000 applications per submission cycle. This year, they received 5,000 — making this the most competitive application cycle yet.

“It is exciting to have so many students embrace this exceptional opportunity,” said Dennis Galvan, dean and vice provost of the Division of Global Engagement. “International experiences increase student career success, and scholarships like these allow every UO student the chance to embrace global education.”

Galvan believes that study abroad opportunities should be accessible to all students regardless of their ability to pay or because of social stigmas. It is “important for the UO to provide these transformative experiences to students,” he said.  

Gilman Scholars receive up to $5,000 to apply toward their study abroad or internship program costs, with additional funding available to students studying critical languages.

The summer 2019 UO recipients including their majors, intended graduation, and program of study, are:

  • Jazmin Cole, biology and human physiology 2020, Global Health, Development, and Service Learning in Accra, Ghana.
  • Kelly Dang, human physiology 2020, GlobalWorks Internship in Spain.
  • Margaret Faliano, business administration and international studies 2020, Advanced Spanish Immersion: Language and Literatures of Spain.
  • Zaida Hatfield, exploring 2021, Spanish Language and Society in Rosario, Spain.
  • Cosmina Ioanas, international studies 2019, Global Health, Development, and Service Learning in Accra.
  • Hawi Jaldo, international studies 2019, Global Health, Development, and Service Learning in Accra.
  • Oksana Leontyuk, international studies 2019, Human Rights and Peace Studies in the Balkans.
  • Mikayla Lindsey, sociology and communications disorders sciences 2021, Advanced Spanish Immersion: Language and Literatures of Spain.
  • Angel Lopez Sanchez, architecture 2020, Architecture and Art History in Rome.
  • Harrison Mal, Spanish 2019, Mexican Studies and Spanish Immersion in Querétaro, Mexico.
  • Donald Morrison, journalism 2020, Media in Ghana.
  • Francis O’Leary, journalism 2022, Media in Ghana.
  • Katie Owens, international studies 2020, Global Health, Development, and Service Learning in Accra.
  • Paige Parkes, international studies 2020, Spanish Language and Society in Rosario and Internship
  • Jade Stewart, journalism and Japanese 2021, Cross-Border Interviewing and Story Development in Spain.
  • Jake Tager, journalism 2021, Media in Ghana.
  • Emi Weiss, business administration 2020, Wine Marketing in Siena, Spain.
  • Amy Yin, cinema studies 2020, Cinema Studies in Dublin.
  • Elizabeth Yin, cinema studies 2020, Cinema Studies in Dublin.

The Gilman scholarships started in 2001 to provide financial opportunities to students with limited financial means who are historically underrepresented in study abroad programs. More than 28,000 students in the U.S. have had the opportunity to travel with the help of Gilman funds.

“To have a scholarship that really wants to make that available and to see these remarkable students embrace those opportunities is something that brightens our day completely,” said Luis Ruiz, Global Education Oregon’s assistant director for analytics and student success.

Visit the Division of Global Engagement's website for more information on the program.

– By Jess Brown, University Communications