In a notable achievement, 22 Western Kentucky University (WKU) students have been named recipients of the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, a program designed to support undergraduate students facing financial constraints in pursuing educational opportunities abroad.
The Gilman Scholarship, which plays a pivotal role in enabling students to overcome financial barriers associated with studying abroad, has been instrumental in making international education more accessible. According to Nationally Competitive Opportunity Specialist Will Randolph, the financial support from the Gilman Scholarship often covers a significant portion of the total program cost, addressing a key concern for students.
WKU has demonstrated its commitment to facilitating global educational experiences by awarding over $77,000 in scholarships during the current cycle alone. Since 2001, the university has disbursed a commendable sum of 1.2 million dollars in support of students pursuing international study opportunities.
While last cycle saw the selection of 31 students, the announcement of 22 recipients this year is still a historic achievement for the university. Randolph emphasized the significance of this accomplishment, stating, “It is significant that WKU has so many recipients. We had 22 this semester, which is more than any other institution in the state of Kentucky combined and one of the higher numbers for institutions of our size across the country.”
This remarkable feat marks the third consecutive year that WKU has secured such a substantial number of Gilman Scholarship recipients. In the previous year, the university earned recognition as a Top Producer of Gilman Scholarship Recipients by the ECA (Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs). Despite these accolades, the university attributes the success to the hard work and dedication of its students.
“We’re really proud of that and the work that OSD (Office of Scholar Development) has invested in helping students make this possible,” Randolph emphasized. “The students are the ones that are doing the work, writing the essays, and applying for scholarships. We’re here to help that process.”
