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Two WKU students were awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship for study abroad programs in fall 2019. They were selected from over 3,000 applications submitted during the fall 2019 and academic year 2019-2020 cycle.

Edgar Gonzalez, a second year student in computer science from Bowling Green, will study abroad at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea in fall 2019. He aims to use his degree and international experience to build a career in computer science that connects a global population to technology and engineering. He is the son of Maria de Jesus Lopez and Rafael Gonzalez.

Jayden Thomas, a third year student in international affairs and political science from Glasgow, will study abroad at Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka, Japan in fall 2019. He was recently awarded a U.S. Department of State Critical Language Scholarship for intensive study of Japanese in summer 2019, as well as a Freeman-ASIA Award, which will support his semester at Kansai Gaidai. He is the son of Tammy Thomas.

Funded by the U.S. Department of State, the Gilman Scholarship program provides up to $8,000 to undergraduate Pell Grant recipients to fund internships or study abroad. Since 2001, the Gilman Scholarship has enabled more than 28,000 Americans to study in 149 countries, representing diverse backgrounds including ethnic minorities, students studying in STEM fields, and first-generation college students. 

Both students worked with Melinda Grimsley, coordinator of international scholarships in the Office of Scholar Development at WKU, in preparing their applications and with advisors in the Office of Study Abroad and Global Learning to find the best academic program to fit their goals.

Students interested in studying abroad in spring 2020, summer 2020, or academic year 2020-2021 are encouraged to work with the Office of Scholar Development at WKU and with the Office of Study Abroad and Global Learning before the upcoming Gilman Scholarship deadline in early October.

About the Office of Scholar Development: The Office of Scholar Development is committed to helping WKU students in all majors and degree programs develop the vision, experience and skills to be independent, engaged scholars. OSD welcomes the opportunity to work with students interested in nationally competitive scholarships.

About the Office of Study Abroad and Global Learning (SAGL): SAGL serves the WKU community by engaging students, faculty and staff in diverse, educational and cultural experiences through faculty-led, exchange, consortia and other study abroad opportunities.

Contact: Melinda Grimsley, (270) 745-5043.