Alma College Student Named Fulbright Finalist
The Fulbright Scholarship National Screening Committee has named
Melissa Hanson, an Alma College senior from Manistee, as a finalist for
the prestigious international scholarship.
Hanson, a double French and economics major, proposed an examination of
the evaluative tools used by Belgium cultural exchange organizations to
assess effectiveness of their intercommunity exchange programs.
Hanson’s proposal also included a teaching assistantship of English
conversation classes at Belgium University.
Hanson began studying the French language when she was a freshman at
Manistee High School. In the winter of 2006, she studied abroad
in Paris where she further cultivated her knowledge and appreciation of
French culture and tutored students in English language and
linguistics. She plans to eventually attend graduate school and become
a French professor.
Hanson is the daughter of Alan and Diane Hanson of Manistee. She graduated from Manistee High School in 2003.
Recommendations from the National Screening Committee of the Institute
of International Education, the coordinating body for the Fulbright
U.S. Student Program, are made on the strength of applicants'
self-designed programs to be conducted in specific countries. The
applications are forwarded to the Fulbright commissions in the
projects' countries, which select recipients from all candidates
applying in those countries. The J. William Fulbright Foreign
Scholarship Board will make the final selections.
Funded by the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Student Program is
designed to give recent baccalaureate graduates, master's degree and
doctoral candidates, and young professionals and artists opportunities
for personal development and international experience. A scholar
receives expenses for one year of study.
Alma's Nationally Competitive Scholarship Committee helps finalists
search for appropriate postgraduate scholarships and review the
proposals and applications. Alma's committee identifies and nurtures
exceptional candidates for nationally competitive scholarships, grants
and awards.
Posted: Wed, February 14th, 2007 at 9:13AM
