Five students from the University won Fulbright awards for the current year, placing the institution in a tie for first with Fairfield University. The rankings listed 21 master’s institutions, all of which had at least two Fulbright awards.

The five represent the largest class of Fulbrights in the University of Portland’s history.

The students are Trevor Brandt, Anna Lattin, Lena Teplitsky, Jordie Sehestedt, and Emily Christiansen. Brandt, a double major in psychology and German studies; Lattin, a double major in theology and German studies; Teplitsky, a double major in English and German studies; and Sehestedt, a double major in history and German studies, will all be English language teaching assistants. Christiansen, a double major in political science and German studies, will conduct research on Turkish immigration in Germany.

Eighteen German language students from the University of Portland have won Fulbrights, including three 2005 graduates and four 2006 graduates.

Under the Fulbright Program, almost 1,500 American students in more than 100 different fields of study have been offered grants to study, teach English, and conduct research in over 125 countries throughout the world beginning this fall.    

Of the 1,500 Fulbright winners, 19 percent are at the doctorate degree level, 17 percent at the master’s level, and 65 percent at the bachelor’s level.  Students receiving awards for this academic year applied through 570 colleges or universities.  Lists of Fulbright recipients are available at: www.fulbrightonline.org/us.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program equips future American leaders with the skills they need to thrive in an increasingly global environment by providing funding for one academic year of study, research or assistant teaching abroad. 

Fellows undertake self-designed programs in disciplines ranging from the social sciences, business, communication and performing arts to physical sciences, engineering and education.

Since its inception in 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided approximately 290,000 participants worldwide with the opportunity to observe each other’s political, economic and cultural institutions, exchange ideas and embark on joint ventures of importance to the general welfare of the world’s inhabitants. In the past 61 years, almost 42,000 students from the United States have benefited from the Fulbright experience.

The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Financial support is provided by an annual appropriation from Congress to the Department of State, with significant contributions from participating governments and host institutions in the United States and abroad.  

In the United States, the Institute of International Education administers and coordinates the activities relevant to the U.S. Student Program, including conducting an annual competition for the scholarships.

The Fulbright Program also awards grants to American teachers and faculty to do research, lecture and teach overseas. This year’s list included four University of Portland professors -- English professor John McDonald, education professor Blaine Ackley, and business professors Richard Gritta and Mark Meckler.