(From left: Kerby Gilstrap, Olivia Blackmon, Heather Keen)

Three WKU students have been awarded Critical Language Scholarships for summer 2022. An additional seven have been designated alternates and will be promoted if additional funding becomes available. The Critical Language Scholarship Program (CLS), 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. Recipients spend eight to ten weeks abroad in intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment designed to promote rapid language gains and cultural proficiency. 

Kerby Gilstrap will attend the CLS Arabic program hosted by the Arab-American Language Institute in Meknes, Morocco. She is the daughter of Kim and Rodney Gilstrap of Bowling Green and a graduating senior in International Affairs, Arabic, and Sustainable Development (Honors Self-Designed).  

Olivia Blackmon will attend a virtual CLS Chinese program hosted by Changchun Humanities and Science College in Changchun, China. She is a member of the Chinese Flagship Program with majors in International Affairs, Asian Religions and Cultures, and Chinese.

Heather Keen will attend the CLS Arabic program hosted by the Arab-American Language Institute in Meknes, Morocco. She is the daughter of Nancy and Glenn Mattingly and the mother of fellow Hilltopper Steven Keen, with majors in Arabic and Organizational Leadership (JUMP). 

Alternates for Critical Language Scholarships are:

• Megan Cole (Agriculture), Korean
• Molly Katherine Cornett (Anthropology), Persian
• Autumn Eichhorn (Asian Religions and Cultures, Chinese), Chinese 
• Allison Francis (Environmental, Sustainability, and Geographic Studies, Geographic Information Systems, and Chinese), Chinese
• Kierigan McEvoy (Chinese, International Affairs), Chinese
• Lindy Sipes (Arabic and Linguistics (Honors Self-Designed)), Arabic
• Daniel Vuleta (Criminology), Russian

Additional details about all of WKU's Semi-Finalists can be found in a press release published last month.

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 21st 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.