K-State students offered prestigious Gilman scholarships for international studies
MANHATTAN — Seven Kansas State University students have been selected for the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to further their education abroad.
The recipients include Carmen Del Real, master's student in veterinary biomedical science, Dodge City; Christa Griffin, junior in aeronautical technology, Lawrence; Emmanuel "Manny" Ugwuegbu, junior in biology and pre-medicine, Lenexa; Shyanne Jones, senior in agricultural education, Mound Valley; Cory Gamblin, master's student in architecture, Salem, Missouri; and Chase Mason, master's student in architecture, Newcastle, Oklahoma.
The Gilman scholarship helps U.S. undergraduate students at two-year or four-year colleges or universities participate in study abroad programs worldwide. Gilman scholarships are congressionally funded and established by the International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000.
"The number of K-State students who earned Gilman scholarships for education abroad experiences speaks highly of the quality students who attend the university," said Sara Boro, education abroad advisor. "Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, several of these students have had their trips canceled or postponed."
Del Real received the Gilman for a faculty-led trip to Spain set for this summer but the trip was canceled because of the pandemic. Del Real has been involved in several organizations at K-State. She is a representative for the Multicultural Student Organizations' Intercultural Leadership Council; was a member of the advisory board for K-State's Developing Scholars Program; was a 2020-2021 Snyder Leadership Legacy Fellow; was a member of the League of United Latin American Citizens, serving as community service chair; and a member of Kappa Delta Chi sorority, serving as service chair and standards officer. She also volunteers as a Spanish interpreter at the Flint Hills Community Clinic. Her many honors include the Outstanding Graduating Senior Award from the dean of student life; Above and Beyond Award from the Developing Scholars Program; Gailand Bartlett Cancer Research Award from the K-State Johnson Cancer Research Center; and the Bridges to the Future Scholarship. She is a graduate of Dodge City High School, Dodge City Community College and Seward County Community College.
Griffin received a Gilman scholarship to study at the University of New South Wales in Australia in spring 2022 but will be unable to go. A K-State Flight Team member, Griffin also is a member of Alpha Eta Rho collegiate aviation fraternity, serving as cadet master in the 2020-2021 school year. A K-State honors list student, she has received the Jan Jones Memorial Scholarship, Blue Key Scholarship, Vanier Family Scholarship, Hardman Tuition Scholarship and Middlekauff Scholarship. She is the daughter of David and Janice Griffin, Lawrence, and a Lawrence High School graduate.
Ugwuegbu will use his scholarship to study biology, focusing on medical ethics and medical practices, at the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom in fall 2022. At K-State, Ugwuegbu is active in the Student Governing Association, serving as multicultural student affairs director in the student body president's cabinet. A biology mentor and member of Kappa Sigma fraternity, he is the recipient of the Null Family Scholarship and June D. Hull Sherrid Scholarship. Ugwuegbu is a Shawnee Mission West High School graduate.
Jones received the Gilman to study sustainable agriculture and freshwater ecology in Costa Rica this summer. The program was canceled because of the pandemic, but Jones is seeking a replacement program. At K-State, Jones is active in the Ag Ed Club, serving as service committee chair, and in Collegiate Farm Bureau. She is a 2019 American FFA degree recipient. The daughter of Kevin and Teresa Jones, Mound Valley, she is a Labette County High School and Colby Community College graduate.
Gamblin was planning to use his scholarship to study in Orvieto, Italy, this summer, but the program was canceled because of the pandemic. At K-State, he serves in the APDesign Ambassadors and is a peer mentor for the Office of First-generation Students. Gamblin has received the Hagan Scholarship and earned K-State semester honors in spring 2021. The son of Jeff and Angie Gamblin, Salem, Missouri, he is a Salem Senior High School graduate.
Mason will use his scholarship to study in Orvieto, Italy, in spring 2022. The son of David and Cindy Mason, Newcastle, Oklahoma, he is Norman High School graduate.
The seventh recipient chose not to be identified
The next Gilman Scholarship application deadline is Oct. 5 for students planning to go abroad during the spring 2022 semester. Students also may apply for the scholarship and receive an early decision if they are planning to go abroad during summer 2022, fall 2022 or the 2022-2023 academic year. Education Abroad will also host a Gilman Information Session from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14, in Room 204 at the Multicultural Student Center. Contact Boro, at seboro@k-state.edu with any additional questions.
