Seven receive Fulbright grants

Trekking to a Vajrayana Buddhist temple in the Himalayas as part of Wake Forest’s study abroad program in India sparked Jessica Argenti’s love for forging new relationships and cultural understandings. After graduation, Argenti will teach English in Malaysia as one of seven Wake Forest students and graduates awarded Fulbright scholarships for the 2014-2015 academic year.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program — the most prestigious international exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government — offers opportunities for students and young professionals to conduct research or teach English in more than 155 countries worldwide.

“Malaysia’s diverse Chinese, Indian, and Malay blended cultures, coupled with recent rapid economic growth, nicely combine my International Business, Chinese, Middle East and South Asia studies,” Argenti said.

Courtney Flynn, another of the students awarded a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship, will teach English in Germany. Flynn, who spent a semester studying at Flow House – Wake Forest’s residential study center in Vienna, credits her German professors for their part in her success.

Students awarded Fulbright Teaching Assistantships/Scholarships

  • Jessica Argenti (’14) of Hellertown, Penn., will teach in Malaysia.
  • Dorronda Bordley (’14) of Felton, Del., will teach in Taiwan.
  • Courtney Flynn (’14) of Staten Island, N.Y., will teach in Germany.
  • Sammie Herrick (’14) of Mount Vernon, Maine, will teach in Taiwan.
  • Deanna Margius (’14) of Milford, Conn., will teach in Brazil.
  • Anmargaret Warner (’14) of Ocracoke, N.C., will teach in India.
  • Meenu Krishnan (’13) of Johnson City, Tenn., will conduct research on the social, political, and economic integration of the Roma people in Spain.

“From letters of recommendation to language evaluations, my professors have been very supportive and encouraging,” Flynn said.  “Their excitement when I received the grant is a testament to how much Wake Forest professors really do care about their students.”

Including the seven named here, 90 Wake Forest graduates or students have been named Fulbright scholars since 1992.

Two students who were recommended by the U.S. Fulbright committee to the host committees in other countries are currently listed as alternates for English Teaching Assistantships (ETA) abroad:

  • Kyle Campbell for Malaysia
  • Yasin Ismael for Kenya

One student, Joe DeRosa of Ft. Wayne, Ind., was chosen as an alternate to conduct political science research in Jordan.

 

Categories: 2014 Highlights, Faculty, Mentoring, Student, Top Stories, Top Stories 2013-2014