CSB named a top Fulbright Grantee producer for second year in a row

For the second year in a row, the College of Saint Benedict is among the top bachelor's institutions for producing the most Fulbright Student Grantees, according to the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

CSB is ranked 34th among bachelor's institutions for having the most Fulbright grantees. In 2015-16, the college was awarded four English Teaching Assistant (ETA) awards.

Jenna Maus (currently an ETA in Malaysia) and Erin Speltz (Bulgaria) are 2015 graduates of CSB. Victoria Adofoli (Malaysia) and Stella Fredrickson (Greece) both earned their undergraduate degrees in December 2014 from CSB.

Pitzer College in Claremont, California, led the 2015-16 ranking of bachelor's institutions, with 21 Fulbright grantees. CSB was one of four colleges ranked in Minnesota this year (St. Olaf, Carleton and Macalester were also ranked).

"This accomplishment is a testament to the relevance and value of a College of Saint Benedict liberal arts education," said CSB President Mary Dana Hinton. "Thanks to the hard work of our faculty, our graduates achieve excellent academic outcomes, including awards like the Fulbright grant."

The Fulbright ETA program places U.S. students as English teaching assistants in schools and universities overseas. They improve foreign students' English abilities and knowledge of the U.S., while enhancing their own language skills and knowledge of the host country. ETAs may also pursue individual study/research plans in addition to their teaching responsibilities.

The Fulbright Program, established in 1946, is the flagship international educational program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between people of the U.S. and people of other countries.

Recipients of Fulbright grants are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership in their fields.

Over 360,000 students, scholars, teachers and faculty have conducted research and taught in the program, which operates in over 140 countries throughout the world.

CSB and SJU students interested in applying for a Fulbright Award for the 2017-18 academic year should contact Phil Kronebusch, professor of political science and coordinator of competitive fellowships at CSB and SJU.