Florida State University swimmer Sydney Cole has been awarded a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship, enabling her to study sociology in Belgium during the 2024-2025 academic year. Cole, who recently concluded her collegiate swimming career, will be pursuing a Master’s degree at the University of Ghent.
According to the Florida State English Department, Cole will focus on sustainable development, analyzing environmental policy and ethical engagement within a global context. Her goal is to translate this academic work into practical efforts addressing humanitarian issues.
The Fulbright Program, established in 1946 by former U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright, facilitates international exchange for teaching, research, and graduate study. Annually, around 800 Americans are selected for this honor, providing opportunities in approximately 130 countries.
Cole’s academic achievements are noteworthy. On April 29, she was named an Outstanding Senior Scholar by the Florida State University Honors Program, an accolade awarded to students with a GPA of 3.9 or higher who have completed a rigorous academic curriculum. She holds dual degrees in English (with a focus on Editing, Writing, and Media) and sociology.
Additionally, Cole was honored with the Waters Fund for Excellence in Literature award in April, recognizing her exemplary scholarship and writing.
In the swimming pool, Cole concluded her senior year with impressive performances at the ACC Championships, achieving personal bests in multiple events. She placed 20th in the 200 backstroke with a lifetime best of 1:56.45 and also set personal records in the 200 IM (1:59.60) and 400 IM (4:18.82).
Cole’s swimming journey saw significant improvement in her senior year, particularly in the 200 backstroke, where she consistently outperformed her previous best time of 1:58.84 set during her sophomore year.
This Fulbright Scholarship is a testament to Cole’s dedication both in academics and athletics, highlighting her as a standout student-athlete at Florida State University.
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