Article Detail

UE Student Earns Prestigious Gilman Scholarship

Posted: Saturday, June 21, 2014

The University of Evansville is proud to recognize Alex Schmitt as its most recent winner of the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. This scholarship is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE).

Schmitt, a junior Spanish and Physics major from Jasper, Indiana, received the $3,000 Gilman Scholarship to study in Peru next fall through SIT: The School for International Training in the Indigenous Peoples and Globalization Program. The SIT program also awarded him a $2,000 scholarship. In addition to coursework covering indigenous Peruvian populations and their transition to urban life, Schmitt will study Spanish and Quechua, the Inca language.  The program concludes with a four-week independent field research project.

Schmitt has previously studied for a semester at Harlaxton College, UE’s British campus. This summer, he is serving an internship working in the UE community garden. Schmitt has been named to the UE Dean’s List in all terms and is in the Honors Program. He helped found the Honors Ace Mentors, students who volunteer to tutor at local schools. He has served as a resident assistant through the Office of Residence Life; President/Advisor of the Powell Hall Council; VP of Outreach and Community for the Honors Activities Board; and Vice President of the Spanish Club.

The Gilman Scholarship Program seeks to diversify US students who study abroad and the countries and regions where they go. Specifically, the Gilman program offers scholarships to highly-qualified student populations that have been traditionally underrepresented in education abroad.

Schmitt is the tenth University of Evansville student to receive the competitive Gilman International Scholarship since 2008. At UE, international education is at the heart of the institutional core purpose: to provide life-transforming experiences that prepare students to engage the world as informed, ethical, and productive citizens.

Share this article:

Facebook Icon Twitter Icon Email Icon Google Icon