Two LHU Students Win Gilman International Scholarship

12/10/12

After a competitive selection process, two Lock Haven University students were awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for their study abroad programs in spring 2013.

Nytashia Ennis, a junior communications major from Philadelphia, and Rachel Marra, a sophomore early childhood major with a minor in theater from Reading, are the Gilman award recipients.

“The Gilman Scholarship is a very prestigious award. Students are selected based on their proposals, academic progress, and overall essay purpose,” said Rosana Campbell, director of the Institute for International Studies at LHU. “Nytashia and Rachel have clearly distinguished themselves among aspiring young scholars across the country. I’m very proud of them.”

The daughter of Yvette Ennis, Nytashia Ennis will use her award to study at Chungnam National University in Daejon, South Korea. Her award is for $1,500. “I’m really excited to receive this scholarship and to study abroad for the first time and experience another culture,” she said.

Marra, the daughter of Susan and Patrick Marra, won a $4,500 award to study at the University of Fortaleza in Brazil. “I’m just grateful to be receiving this scholarship; it will really ease the burden of my travel expenses,” she said.

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program aims to support undergraduates who might otherwise not participate due to financial constraints. The program strongly encourages students to choose non-traditional study abroad destinations, especially those outside of Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The Gilman Scholarship Program is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State. Each year, thousands apply and LHU has had at least one recipient almost every semester since 2006.