Scranton Ranks Among the Top Producers of Fulbright Students in Nation

The University of Scranton was recognized as one of the nation’s “Top Producers of U.S. Fulbright Students” by The Chronicle of Higher Education, which included the University among just 21 “Master’s Institutions” on its list published Oct. 28. This is the ninth consecutive year that the University was nationally recognized for its successful record in producing Fulbright student scholars.

The Chronicle’s listing, which includes some of the nation’s most prestigious universities – such as Harvard, Princeton and Yale – separates the schools recognized into four categories based on their designation by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The 115 universities recognized in total are listed separately as “Research Institutions,” “Master’s Institutions,” “Bachelor’s Institutions,” and “Specialized Institutions.” Scranton is one of just seven Jesuit universities to be included in the four lists. Other Jesuit universities recognized are Boston College, Georgetown University, Fordham University, Seattle University, Santa Clara University and The College of the Holy Cross. Only eight colleges in Pennsylvania were recognized.

Five University of Scranton graduates received Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards for the 2013-2014 academic year. The graduates and their Fulbright awards are: Elena M. Habersky ’13, Dallas, Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to Jordan; Shannon M. Haberzettl G’13, Dingmans Ferry, Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to Malaysia; Rebecca Schmaeling ’13, Smithtown, N.Y., Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to Spain; Joseph R. Seemiller ’13, Lehighton, Fulbright Research Scholarship to the University of Cologne, Germany; and Jan Alexander Wessel ’13, Drums, Fulbright Research Scholarship to Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary.

The Fulbright program is the U.S. government’s premier scholarship program for overseas graduate study, research and teaching according to Susan Trussler, Ph.D., the University’s Fulbright adviser and associate professor of economics/finance. Since 1972, a total of 144 University of Scranton students have been awarded grants in the competitions administered by the Institute of International Education.

Five University of Scranton graduates have earned Fulbright awards for the 2013-2014 academic year. Seated, from left, are: Susan Trussler, Ph.D., Fulbright Program Adviser; Elena M. Habersky ’13, Dallas, Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to Jordan; and Rebecca Schmaeling ’13, Smithtown, N.Y., Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to Spain. Standing, from left, are: University of Scranton President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J.; Shannon M. Haberzettl G’13, Dingmans Ferry, Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to Malaysia; Jan Alexander Wessel ’13, Drums, Fulbright Research Scholarship to Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary; Joseph R. Seemiller ’13, Lehighton, Fulbright Research Scholarship to the University of Cologne, Germany; and Harold Baillie, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.