Washington and Lee University proudly announces that eight of its students have been awarded the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for study abroad during the 2024-2025 academic year. This marks the largest cohort in the university’s history, with 20 students receiving Gilman Scholarships this year, including 12 slated for the upcoming fall semester. The previous single-year record stood at 11 recipients.
The Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship program, administered by the Institute of International Education and sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, supports Pell Grant recipients in pursuing study and internships abroad by providing awards up to \$5,000. Over 17,000 students applied nationwide this year.
The awarded students from Washington and Lee demonstrate exceptional dedication and ambition in expanding their academic and professional horizons. Dallas Tatman, Scholarship Assistant Director and Visiting Lecturer in Anthropology, praised the recipients’ perseverance and emphasized how their international experiences will enrich the campus community.
This spring’s Gilman Scholars include:
Alexander Bousman ’28, a double major in Physics and Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics, will study Armenian language and culture at ASPIRANTUM in Yerevan, Armenia. Bousman views this scholarship as a critical step toward his career goals in quantum technology and security, enabling him to engage deeply with Armenian society and its academic and policy environments.
Audrey Foss ’28, from Pensacola, Florida, pursuing a double major in Political Science and History, will attend the Virginia Program at Oxford University’s St. Anne’s College. She will focus on Shakespeare and Renaissance history during a six-week summer immersion program with leading experts.
Mareme Kane ’27, majoring in Sociology with minors in Arabic and Poverty and Human Capability Studies, will study modern standard Arabic and Jordanian dialect through the CET program in Jordan. Raised in New York City and Senegal, Kane speaks multiple languages and values this opportunity to deepen her cross-cultural understanding essential for her future in international human rights work.
Gabriel Ketchum ’28, a Business Administration major from Norristown, Pennsylvania, will complete a marketing internship in Santiago, Chile, with Gin Double T. He aims to enhance his Spanish fluency and promote language learning’s value to local schools.
Abby Kim ’26, double majoring in Strategic Communications and Sociology with a Japanese minor, will undertake a communications internship in Tokyo with Beyond AI, developing skills aligned with her post-graduate career aspirations.
Gina Kuah ’27, a Politics and Japanese double major from Minnesota, will study Japanese language, culture, and international politics at International Christian University in Tokyo through the Middlebury Schools Abroad Program. Kuah also received the Gilman-IIE-McKeown Scholarship and a Critical Language Scholarship for summer study in Okayama, Japan. She credits the Gilman Scholarship for making these opportunities financially feasible and essential for her career goals in federal government service.
Saaraim Nunez ’27, majoring in Philosophy with minors in Poverty and Human Capability Studies and Data Science, will study at Oxford University through the Virginia Program. He appreciates the financial support that makes this global learning experience both possible and meaningful.
Chace Thompson ’27, majoring in Sociology and Anthropology with minors in Poverty and Human Capability Studies and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, will participate in a global citizenship education program in Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy. He will teach middle school students and lead discussions on social justice issues. Thompson highlights how the scholarship bridges his background as a low-income, first-generation college student from rural West Virginia with the global opportunities he has long dreamed of.
Since its inception in 2001, the Gilman Scholarship program has awarded over 44,000 scholarships worldwide, encouraging diverse student participation in international education.
Students interested in applying for the fall 2025 Gilman Scholarship should note the October 3 deadline and are encouraged to schedule an appointment with Washington and Lee’s Office of Fellowships via Handshake.
Washington and Lee University continues to celebrate its students’ achievements and encourages nominations for accolades recognizing outstanding student accomplishments.
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