9 Pitt students and alumni named Fulbright scholars

Two Pitt doctoral students, one undergraduate student and six recent graduates were named Fulbright scholars this year. The study abroad program, open to graduating college seniors, graduate students and young professionals, partners with 140 countries to expand participants’ educational horizons and engender positive international relations.

Fellows are awarded one-year grants for individually designed study and research projects or English teaching assistant programs. Since the program’s founding in 1946, 308 Pitt students and alumni have participated.

“The Fulbright Fellowship is one of the most prestigious and competitive awards available to American citizens and is awarded to the most talented scholars in the nation,” said Nicola Foote, dean of the David C. Frederick Honors College.

“Pitt’s Fulbright results this year are outstanding. To have nine awardees is a significant accomplishment in itself, and our yield rate — the ratio of award recipients to applicants — was higher than ever at around 36%,” she added. “We are so proud of all of our Fulbright recipients and can’t wait to see what they do next.”

Scholarship recipients are supported by the David C. Frederick Honors College, which provides coaching and advice to all Pitt students. Scholar-mentors offer guidance and feedback on essays, practice interviews and other help.

“While winning is wonderful, there is a lot to gain just by applying. It’s a huge risk to put yourself out there and compete against students from across the U.S. for a limited number of spots. With a few months left in this competition cycle, any interested Pitt student or recent alum should consider reaching out to us and applying,” said Lesha Greene, director of national scholarships and post-graduation success in the David C. Frederick Honors College.

The deadline to apply for a 2023-24 scholarship is Oct. 11.

The 2022-23 recipients have studied in several Pitt schools, including the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, the Swanson School of Engineering and the School of Education. They begin their fellowships this fall.

Meet Pitt’s 2022-23 recipients

Emma Adams of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, received a Master of Arts in teaching world and heritage language education with a focus in Spanish in 2022, and in 2021 earned a bachelor’s in Spanish and anthropology with a minor in linguistics and a certificate in Latin American Studies. This fall, she is serving as an English teaching assistant in Honduras.

Robert Blankemeyer of Richboro, Pennsylvania, graduated in 2022 with degrees in German and communication/rhetoric with a minor in education. He will serve as an English teaching assistant in Germany.

Diana Flatto of Brooklyn, New York, is pursuing a doctorate in the history of art and architecture. Her current work explores how realisms were used by antifascist artist networks between Argentina, Uruguay and Europe during the 1930s and 1940s, including the organization of exhibitions and the circulation of images in culture magazines. She is studying in Argentina this fall.

Benjamin Hudock of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and a certificate in Latin American Studies. His community involvement as president of Pitt’s Spanish Club, as coordinator of the Luso-Brazilian Student Association and his experience as a Literacy Pittsburgh ESL tutor inspired him to teach English in Brazil.

Karenna Oner of Fairfax, Virginia, who graduated in 2021 with degrees in political science and English, a minor in Turkish, and certificates in Global Studies and Eurasian Studies, is studying in Turkey this fall. “As a first-generation American raised in a Colombian and Turkish household, I am passionate about international affairs and human security,” she said.

Meghan Orman of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is pursuing a doctorate in applied developmental psychology. Her current research interests are nature connection in early childhood and its implications for basic and applied research in psychology and education. She will study in Iceland this fall.

Emma Ruppert of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, graduated in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in nonfiction writing. She is teaching English and researching modern music and its cultural context in Kazakhstan.

Sophie Sfeir of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and in Spanish. She is looking forward to combining her disciplines as an English teaching assistant within the computer science department at the Universidad Camilo José Cela in Madrid, Spain.

Lauren Towner of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, graduated in 2021 with degrees in German and ecology and a minor in chemistry. As a Fulbright English teaching assistant in Germany, Tower is looking forward to sharing her passion for second language acquisition.

— Nichole Faina

Correction: This story has been updated to correct the years of the scholarship and upcoming deadline. These are the 2022-23 recipients.