A total of four graduating seniors or recent graduates from Hope College have received recognition through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.
Graduating senior Claire Benedict has received an award to conduct research in chemistry in Switzerland during the forthcoming 2023-24 academic year. Recent graduate Justine Watson received recognition as an alternate for graduate study, recent graduate Molly Douma received recognition as a semi-finalist for a research grant and graduating senior Gabrielle Kosiba received recognition as a semi-finalist for an English teaching assistantship.
Benedict, who is from Ada, is double-majoring in chemistry, pursing the college’s American Chemical Society-certified Bachelor of Science degree, and Spanish. Through her Fulbright, she will conduct research with Dr. Martin Albrecht, who is a professor of inorganic chemistry at the University of Bern, optimizing and developing iridium-based dehydrogenation catalysts.
Kosiba, a graduating senior from Farmington Hills who is triple-majoring in computer science, German and global studies and minoring in Spanish, was recognized as a semi-finalist for an English teaching assistantship to South Korea.
Watson, who graduated in 2022 with a business major, was named an alternate for a master’s degree program in business in Italy.
Douma, who graduated in 2022 with a global studies major, was recognized as a semi-finalist for a research grant in interdisciplinary studies in Peru.
Since 2004, 42 Hope students or recent graduates have received awards, and several others have been named alternates or semi-finalists. Hope’s students are mentored through the application process by Dr. Janis Gibbs, associate professor of history; Dr. Stephen Maiullo, who is interim dean of arts and humanities and a member of the Classics faculty; and Dr. Elizabeth Sanford, professor of chemistry and department chair.
Established in 1946, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides opportunities for students and young professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced research, university teaching, and primary and secondary school teaching worldwide. The program awards grants annually in all fields of study, and operates in more than 140 countries worldwide.