Assumption College Senior Receives a Fulbright Scholarship

 

Worcester, MA–Victoria Scanlan, a senior at Assumption College and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Scanlan of Westford, Massachusetts, has been awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study in Belgium for the 2001-2002 academic year. She is the first of two Assumption College women that have received this prestigious award this year. It is also the first time in the history of Assumption College that a student has ever received a Fulbright.

Ms. Scanlan, a double major in French and Biology, submitted her scholarship proposal for research at the L'Institut Pasteur in Bruxelles, Belgium, where she wants to study Toxoplasmosis, a disease which is a prominent cause of birth defects, particularly in France and Belgium. The scholarship will also enable Ms. Scanlan to further develop her French skills, especially in learning the technical vocabulary of French by reading and studying research on this disease by French-speaking scientists. Ms. Scanlan was also recently awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award in French at the College's annual Honor's Convocation, and is a Presidential Scholar and an Augustine Scholar. She graduated Summa Cum Laude at the recent Commencement ceremonies held at Assumption College

The Post-Baccalaureate Fellowship that Ms. Scanlan received is part of an annual competition, based on submitted proposals, for awards given to graduating seniors, young professionals, artists, and graduate students from over 100 countries. On the average, only one out of ten applicants receives Fulbright funding. Ms. Scanlan's Fulbright Scholarship, which will run from September 2001 to June 2002, will cover room, board, and airfare, as well as a stipend for living expenses.

The United States Department of State is the principal administrator of the Fulbright Program worldwide. The Institute of International Education assists the Department of State in conducting the program at both the predoctoral and postdoctoral levels.