WKU News

Photo caption: Top row, left to right: Gibson Brueher, Joseph Johnson, Andrew Lambdin, Margo McGehee. Middle row, left to right: Jacob Raymond, Brooke Riley, Stephen Scott, Jayden Thomas. Bottom row, left to right: Olivia James, Evan Kessler, Kassidy Orrender, MacLaren Williams.

Nine WKU students were awarded Critical Language Scholarships that fully fund summer study in intensive language programs abroad. Six others were named alternates and may be upgraded as additional funding becomes available.

• Gibson Brueher, a third-year student in the Chinese Flagship program and business and Chinese major from Franklin, Tennessee, will study Chinese in Tainan, Taiwan.
• Joseph Johnson, a second-year student in the Chinese Flagship program and military leadership and Chinese major from Owensboro, will study Chinese in Changchun, China.
• Andrew Lambdin, a third-year student in the Chinese Flagship program and international business and Chinese major from London, will study Chinese in Changchun, China.
• Margo McGehee, a graduating senior in economics and Arabic from Erlanger, declined her award to participate in a research internship at the Immigrant and Refugee Law Center in Cincinnati before beginning law school at the University of Cincinnati in the fall.
• Jacob Raymond, a third-year student in the Chinese Flagship program and computer science and Chinese major from Mount Juliet, will study Chinese in Changchun, China.
• Stephen Scott, a second-year student in the Chinese Flagship program and biology and Chinese major from Owensboro, will study Chinese in Dalian, China.
• Jayden Thomas, a second-year international affairs and political science major from Edmonton, will study Japanese in Okayama, Japan.
• Brooke Riley, a second-year international business and Arabic major from Owensboro, will study Arabic in Meknes, Morocco.
• Another student declined their award to study in a different intensive language program.

 WKU’s Critical Language Scholarship alternates are:

• Olivia James, a fourth-year student in the Chinese Flagship program and an international affairs, Chinese, and Asian religions and cultures major from Birmingham, Alabama.
• Evan Kessler, a graduate of the Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science and second-year Arabic and mathematical economics major from Bowling Green.
• Kassidy Orrender, a graduating senior in Arabic from Crestwood.
• Ryan Richardson (not pictured), a third-year student in the Chinese Flagship program and an international affairs, Asian religions and cultures, Chinese, and political science major from Williamsburg.
• Tristan Shaw (not pictured), a graduating senior in the Chinese Flagship program and an international affairs, Chinese, and Asian religions and cultures major from Glasgow.
• MacLaren Williams, a third-year English major from Rineyville.

Students sought guidance from Dr. Grimsley in the Office of Scholar Development in preparing their applications.

The Critical Language Scholarship Program, a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is an intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program for American undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities. Students spend eight to ten weeks abroad studying one of 15 critical languages. The program includes intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences designed to promote rapid language gains and cultural fluency.

The CLS Program is a part of a U.S. government initiative to expand the number of Americans studying and mastering foreign languages that are critical to national security and economic prosperity. CLS plays an important role in preparing American students for the 21^st century’s globalized workforce and increasing national competitiveness.

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.

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