UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The U.S. Department of State recently announced the complete list of colleges and universities that produced the most 2013-14 Fulbright U.S. Students. The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program. The success of the top-producing institutions is highlighted in the Oct. 28 edition of The Chronicle of Higher Education.

Eleven students from the Penn State University Park campus won Fulbright awards for 2013-14. Penn State is credited with submitting 54 applications and receiving 11 U.S. Fulbright student awards. Penn State is also one of the leading producers of U.S. Fulbright Scholars, in the large research university division, with five faculty receiving the Fulbright. The 11 Penn Staters receiving the U.S. Fulbright student awards are Stephen Mooney, Zachary Jones, Dana James, Michael Henry, Eric Dyrdahl, Cassandra Romanowski, Jessica Skocik, Dana Ray, William Langford, Mary Katerman and Peter van Lidth de Jeude.

Ruth Mendum, director of Penn State's University Fellowships Office, is honored that the University is a leading recipient for a scholarship as prestigious as the Fulbright. Mendum is the Fulbright Program adviser for the U.S. Student program which serves undergraduates, graduate students and Penn State alumni. According to Mendum, "These Fulbright winners are a testimony to the academic and extracurricular achievements of Penn State students. I hope this success encourages more of our students to pursue this opportunity in the future."

The Fulbright competition is administered at Penn State through the University Fellowships Office. The University Fellowships Office, an area within the Office of Undergraduate Education, is Penn State's resource for undergraduates seeking information and guidance regarding scholarships and fellowships funded by sources other than Penn State. The office helps students identify scholarships or fellowships that best align with their academic achievements and long-term goals; assist students throughout the application process; and expands their expectations of themselves. More information about the services of the University Fellowships Office at Penn State can be gained by contacting the Fellowships Office at 814-863-8199 or visiting the office in 212 Boucke Building. Email inquiries should be sent to Univ-fellowships@psu.edu.

More than 1,800 U.S. students, artists and young professionals in more than 100 different fields of study have been offered Fulbright Program grants to study, teach English and conduct research in more than 140 countries throughout the world beginning this fall. Lists of Fulbright recipients are available at www.fulbrightonline.org/us.

Since its inception in 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided more than 325,000 participants — chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential — with the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns. In the past 67 years, more than 44,000 students from the United States have benefited from the Fulbright experience.     

The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The primary source of funding for the Fulbright Program is an annual appropriation made by the U.S. Congress to the Department of State. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations and foundations in foreign countries and in the United States also provide direct and indirect support. The J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, composed of 12 educational and public leaders appointed by the President of the United States, formulates policies for the administration of the Fulbright Program, establishes criteria for the selection of candidates and approves candidates nominated for awards.  

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

The Fulbright Program also awards grants to U.S. teachers and faculty to conduct research and teach overseas. In addition, some 4,000 new foreign Fulbright students and scholars come to the United States annually to study for graduate degrees, conduct research and teach at U.S. universities, colleges and secondary schools.

For more information about the Fulbright Program, visit http://eca.state.gov/fulbright.