News Releases

Gooch, Peacock Awarded Fulbright Scholarships

Alma College seniors Alyssa Gooch of Vermontville and Rebecca Peacock of Grandville have been awarded prestigious Fulbright scholarships to teach and work in Malaysia.

Gooch, an education major, will teach conversational English to middle school children while also conducting a research project based on discovering different impacts on student learning.

“When I received the letter informing me of my acceptance, I was unbelievably surprised and honored,” said Gooch. “It is an amazing opportunity, and I feel very grateful to have even been considered.”

A graduate of Charlotte High School, she is the daughter of Joe and Teresa Gooch.

Peacock, who has a double major in English and theatre, also will teach English language skills to Malaysian students and intern with the Women’s Aid Organization of Malaysia to help expand abuse prevention programming for students and community members. She will leave for Malaysia in December 2008 and stay for one year.

“I will be teaching English to high school and college students at a school for about 20 hours a week and spend the rest of my time interning with the Women’s Aid Organization,” says Peacock. “I’ve never been to Malaysia. I’m nervous but so excited.”

A graduate of Grandville High School, she is the daughter of Jim and Diane Peacock.

Gooch and Peacock become Alma College’s 11th and 12th Fulbright Scholars in the last six years.

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 makes 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.

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For five consecutive years, the Corporation for National and Community Service has named Alma College to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for engaging students, faculty and staff in meaningful service. More than 85 percent of Alma's 2011 graduating class participated in academic service learning during their time at Alma College.

 

Student Profile

Claire Swift

Claire Swift
Graduation: 2014
Major: Chemistry

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The Grand Rapids junior, who is pursuing a career in medicine, recently completed hospital rotations at Mid Michigan Health Center—Gratiot. She says observing a patient with Parkinson’s disease was something she’ll never forget.