KNOXVILLE — Two University of Tennessee, Knoxville, students have received Fulbright grants for the 2010-2011 academic year. Jordan Kuck, a doctoral student in history, will be conducting research in Latvia, while Alex Tullock, a graduating senior in Russian, will go to the country for an English teaching assistantship.
Kuck, of Bertrand, Neb., is researching the 20th century Latvian dictator Karlis Ulmanis for his dissertation. His Fulbright grant will enable him to spend nine months in Latvia where he will have access to historical archives. Kuck plans to return to UT Knoxville after his experience to teach and complete his Ph.D.
Tullock, of Riceville, Tenn., will graduate next month with a Bachelor of Arts in Russian. During his Fulbright year, he will teach English language classes and serve as an advisor to Russian teachers of English, experiences Tullock anticipates will help him with his future plans of teaching at the university level.
“Both Jordan and Alex had that ‘something extra’ that is takes to win nationally competitive awards like the Fulbright, “said Rebekah Page, assistant director of UT’s Office of National Scholarships and Fellowships. “Jordan’s research proposal was focused and well-planned, and he had made contacts in Latvia prior to applying. Alex’s essays highlighted his previous study abroad experience in Russia and spoke of the importance of cultural exchange. Both of them have strong language skills to back up their other impressive qualifications.”
Kuck advises future applicants to request feedback from different people on the application, a service Page said the Office of National Scholarships and Fellowships provides to applicants as well.
“Getting comments and suggestions from as many readers as possible is the key to producing a good proposal,” Kuck said.
Each year, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides full grants for graduate study or research and English teaching assistantships to approximately 1,500 U.S. students to over 140 countries worldwide.
Sponsored by the Department of State and named for the late Senator J. William Fulbright, the Fulbright Program was established by Congress in 1946 to “enable the government of the United States to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.” In addition to the U.S Student Program, Fulbright also sponsors teaching and research awards for faculty and awards for international students to conduct graduate study at U.S. universities.
Applications for next year’s Fulbright U.S. Student Program competition become available on May 1, 2010. UT students must have their completed applications submitted by September 15, 2010.
Because the Fulbright program recommends beginning the application at least two months in advance of the deadline, UT students interested in applying for Fulbrights for the 2011-2012 year are encouraged to meet with someone in the Office of National Scholarships and Fellowships before the start of summer term.
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C O N T A C T :
Rebekah Page (865-974-7875, rjpage@utk.edu)