WKU News

(From top left: Raquel Bonham, Ellie Burdette, Devin Pierce, Priscilla Riggs)

Two WKU students were awarded the Freeman Award for Study in Asia (Freeman-ASIA), and three additional students were awarded Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grants. All students worked with the Office of Scholar Development (OSD) to prepare competitive applications.

Freeman-ASIA awards up to $7,000 to U.S.-based undergraduates with demonstrated financial need who will study in east or southeast Asia, aiming to increase the number of U.S. citizens and permanent residents with first-hand exposure to Asia and its peoples and cultures.

The following students were recognized:

Devin Pierce of Madisonville is the son of Jessica and Jason Thompson, and the grandson of Linda and Larry Pierce. An exercise science major and first-generation college student, Devin earned the scholarship to study in Japan in Fall 2024. 

Priscilla Riggs of Elizabethtown is the daughter of Hannah Jenkins. A first-generation college student, she is an English professional writing and strategic marketing double major with a minor in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL). She earned the scholarship to study in South Korea in Spring 2025.

Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grants award $1,000 to students, both members and nonmembers from campuses with Phi Kappa Phi chapters, as they seek expanded knowledge and experience in their academic fields. Selection is based on the applicant’s academic achievement, campus and community service, and relation of travel to academic preparation.

The following students were recognized:

Raquel Bonham of Bowling Green is the daughter of Scott and Noemi Bonham. She is a biochemistry major with a minor in biophysics. She earned the scholarship to study in Italy.

Ellie Burdette is the daughter of Rob and Nicole Burdette. She is a management major with a concentration in business administration. She earned the scholarship to study in Spain.

Lindze Lunn studies Chinese and psychology. She was awarded the scholarship to study in Taiwan.

Students interested in studying abroad are encouraged to seek scholarship funding early, as students who plan one year in advance maximize their scholarship potential. To explore possibilities for study abroad, students are encouraged to work with WKU Global to find the best study abroad program to fit their academic and professional goals and the WKU Office of Scholar Development to seek nationally competitive scholarships.

About the Freeman Awards for Study in Asia (Freeman-ASIA): The Freeman-ASIA program supports U.S.-based undergraduates with demonstrated financial need studying abroad in East or Southeast Asia. The program’s goal is to increase the number of U.S. citizens and permanent residents with first-hand exposure to and understanding of Asia and its peoples and cultures. 

About Phi Kappa Phi: Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines, aiming to recognize and promote academic excellence and engage scholars in service to others. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors.

About WKU Global Learning and International Affairs (WKU Global): WKU Global 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.

About the Office of Scholar Development (OSD): OSD mentors students applying for national scholarships to fund “academic extras” such as study abroad, research, professional experience, and more. From first drafts to final submissions with multiple revisions in between, OSD helps students make more possible. By conceptualizing and revising the stories they tell in application essays and interviews, students better understand their strengths, interests, and purpose—and explore multiple possible pathways to that work. 

Contact: Will Randolph, will.randolph@wku.edu