Three recent University of Portland graduates earn prestigious post-graduate research and teaching awards for Europe

Jeanie Toscano received a research Fulbright grant to investigate educational opportunities for Turkish immigrants in Germany. David Gregg received an Austrian government teaching assistantship in English, an award offered through the Fulbright program. Alice-Louise Rossignol received an English teaching award from the French government.

All three graduates were part of the University’s commencement ceremony on May 4. Toscano graduated with bachelor’s degrees in social work and German studies. Gregg graduated with bachelor’s degrees in history and German studies. Rossignol graduated with bachelor’s degrees in English and French studies.

Twenty students from the University of Portland have won Fulbrights, including five 2007 graduates and four 2006 graduates. Last year, the University of Portland ranked first nationally among “master’s institutions” in a listing of top producers of Fulbright Awards for U.S. students in 2007-08, according to a Chronicle of Higher Education report. The previous year, the University ranked second nationally.

The United States Fulbright program began in 1946 after World War II to “assist in the development of friendly, sympathetic and peaceful relations between the United States and other countries of the world” through the exchange of students, scholars and professionals. The program operates in more than 140 countries worldwide.