Kansas State University

MANHATTAN -- A Kansas State University student will study in West Africa with the help of a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship.

Micah D. Wilcher, senior in history, Salina, is one of more than 700 students selected to study abroad in the spring 2014 semester through the Gilman Scholarship Program, which provides awards of up to $5,000. Congressionally funded and established by the International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000, the scholarship lets U.S. undergraduate students at a two-year or four-year college or university participate in study abroad programs worldwide.

As part of the University Studies Abroad Consortium, Wilcher will study at the University of Ghana in West Africa. She is interested in precolonial African history for her graduate studies. In preparation for the trip, Wilcher was working two jobs in addition to attending school to save enough money to pay for the trip. The scholarship has eased her financial responsibility.

"Being awarded the scholarship is one of the best feelings ever," Wilcher said. "A huge weight has been lifted off of my shoulders."

Wilcher will complete follow-up projects for promoting the Gilman Scholarship and studying abroad upon her return. She is a member of the African Studies Association. She graduated from Salina Central High School and is the daughter of Ernest Wilcher, Orlando, Fla., and Vickie Guillot, Salina.

The Gilman Scholarship Program is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. Since 2001 the scholarship program has been offering grants to U.S. citizen undergraduate students to pursue academic studies abroad in hopes of preparing students to assume significant roles in a global economy. Award recipients are chosen through a competitive selection process.

To learn more about competing for future Gilman Scholarships or other scholarships while a student at Kansas State University, contact Jim Hohenbary at jimlth@k-state.edu.