WKU News

Andrew Henderson, a WKU student from Olive Hill, will spend six weeks this summer studying in the US-UK Fulbright Summer Institute in Wales.

Henderson, a first-year student, is the son of Greg and Vickey Henderson. He has a double major in communication studies and diversity and community studies and is a student in the Honors College at WKU. His areas of interest include communication in communities of diversity and “the organizational communication involved in grassroots social justice movements and large social justice organizations.”

In Wales, Henderson will explore historical and contemporary Welsh culture, identity and linkages with his own Appalachian culture and identity.

Henderson is a features reporter for the College Heights Herald, WKU’s student newspaper, and a member of WKU Amnesty International, Student United Way and Dynamic Leadership Institute. He has participated in the Campus Activities Board’s Alternative Fall Break.

Melinda Grimsley-Smith, coordinator of international scholarships with the Office of Scholar Development, said Henderson is the third WKU student selected for the intensely competitive program.

“All Fulbright programs are about encouraging mutual understanding between Americans and people of other countries,” she said. “The Fulbright UK Summer Institutes is special, though, for the opportunity it gives to freshmen and sophomores with little or no experience traveling abroad. A program that is designed around the idea of exploring connections between and distinguishing features of American and British identities is a great way to build an international perspective. I can’t wait to see what Andrew makes of his experience.”

Henderson said he is very grateful for the resources provided by OSD.

“They walked me through this difficult process from the beginning, to the edits, to the interview prepping and the very end,” he said.

Dr. Grimsley-Smith said working with students applying for this program is especially rewarding.

“Advising freshmen and sophomores for the Fulbright UK Summer Institutes invariably introduces me to exceptionally engaged and ambitious students who I then get to see ‘grow up’ during the rest of their time here at WKU,” she said.

The US-UK Fulbright Commission is the only bi-lateral, transatlantic scholarship program, offering awards and summer programs for study or research in any field, at any accredited U.S. or UK university. The Commission is part of the Fulbright program conceived by Sen. J. William Fulbright in the aftermath of World War II to promote leadership, learning and empathy between nations through educational exchange.

Fulbright Summer Programs cover all participant costs. In addition, Fulbright summer participants receive a distinctive support and cultural education program including: visa processing, a comprehensive pre-departure orientation, enrichment opportunities in country, a re-entry session and opportunity to join our alumni networks.

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 national or international scholarships.

About the US-UK Fulbright Commission: The US-UK Fulbright Commission was created by treaty on Sept. 22, 1948. The Fulbright Program aims to foster mutual cultural understanding through educational exchange between the US and the UK. This it achieves through its Awards program for U.S and UK citizens and through its Advisory Service. The Fulbright Commission offers grants at postgraduate and postdoctoral level for study in any discipline and at any accredited institution in the U.S. and UK, as well as a number of special exchanges programs for shorter projects or for younger scholars. It is funded by a range of partners including leading U.S. and UK universities, charities and both governments. For information, visit www.fulbright.org.uk.

About the Summer Institutes: Each year, the Commission supports around 60 UK and U.S. undergraduate students to undertake a demanding academic and cultural summer programs at leading institutions in the U.S. and UK respectively. This year we are hosting the following nine Summer Institute programs at host institutions across the UK: AIFS Summer Institute at Shakespeare’s Globe, Durham University Summer Institute, King’s College London Summer Institute, Nottingham Trent University Summer Institute, Queen’s University Belfast Summer Institute, Scotland Summer Institute (at the University of Dundee and the University of Strathclyde), University of Bristol Summer Institute, University of Exeter Summer Institute, Wales Summer Institute (at Cardiff University, Bangor University and Aberystwyth University). For information, visit http://www.fulbright.org.uk/fulbright-awards/exchanges-to-the-uk/undergraduates.

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