Kansas State University students receive Gilman Scholarships to study abroad
Friday, Jan. 29, 2016
MANHATTAN — Four Kansas State University students have received Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarships to study abroad for spring 2016.
Recipients are Julia G. Chestnut, junior in anthropology, Overland Park; Jason Nowak Jr., junior in engineering technology, Salina; Sabrina Gragg, sophomore in fisheries and wildlife conservation biology, Shawnee; and Joshua Edgar, junior in history and political science, Wichita.
The Gilman Scholarship gives U.S. undergraduate students up to $5,000 to participate in study abroad programs worldwide. It is awarded to students with a high financial need and the potential to assume significant roles in a global economy. The International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000 established the congressionally funded scholarship program.
Chestnut is studying environmental anthropology at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. She is a member of Kansas State University's women's choir and anthropology club, and a previous member of the university's collegiate rowing team. In addition to the Gilman Scholarship, she received a Goss Discovery Scholarship from the Office of International Programs. She is a graduate of Blue Valley High School in Stilwell and daughter of Shawn and Marcella Chestnut, Overland Park.
Nowak, a student at Kansas State University Polytechnic Campus, is studying Japanese business and culture at Nagoya University of Foreign Studies in Nagoya, Japan. In addition to the Gilman Scholarship, he received an Office of International Programs Scholarship. He is a graduate of Payson High School in Payson, Arizona.
Gragg is studying wildlife biology at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. She is a volunteer at CHIMP EDEN, a chimpanzee rehabilitation center with the Jane Goodall Institute. She is a member of Kansas State University's women's rugby team, The Wildlife Society and Pre-Vet Club. In addition to the Gilman Scholarship, she received the Goss Discovery Scholarship and two University Studies Abroad Consortium scholarships. She is a graduate of Shawnee Mission Northwest High School and is the daughter of Melissa Gragg, Shawnee.
Edgar is studying China-Japan relations at Kansai Gaidai University in Hirakata City, Japan. He is a member of Pi Kappa Phi academic honorary, Student Governing Association, History Club and Model United Nations. In addition to the Gilman Scholarship, he received a College of Arts & Science Undergraduate research grant to study the quantitative voting trends among state legislators. He is a graduate of Kapaun Mount Carmel Catholic High School in Wichita and the son of David Edgar, Wichita.
