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(New Orleans – January 19, 2021) Four �������� undergraduate students have received life-changing Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships to expand their horizons through academic study abroad in 2022. The Gilman Scholarship is a prestigious and competitive award of the U.S. Department of State that has a national success rate of approximately 25 percent. Despite these long odds, Loyola has yielded 90 Gilman Scholars in the last eight years.

With great joy, Loyola congratulates Olufemi Adegoke, who will study in South Korea, Gabriella Bennett, who will study in Ireland, Ella Martin, who will study in the Netherlands and Leo Williams, who will study in Italy. These students rank among the eight Louisiana students and 900 students nationwide to win this prestigious and competitive scholarship. Together, they share exciting dreams: Olufemi wants to study diplomacy, Ella hopes to expand her knowledge of international relations, Gabriella will explore diverse communities and perspectives to inform her career aspirations of becoming a therapist and Leo will pursue interests in design and business.

“We could not be prouder of our Gilman Scholars,” said Loyola President Tania Tetlow. ��“They are shining examples of the talent at Loyola -- and the success that one can achieve by leaning into your God-given abilities, seeking and finding opportunity.”

“Nearly 30 percent of Loyola New Orleans students study abroad at some point during their undergraduate careers and one-third of Loyola students are the first in their families to attend college. Gilman is wonderful because it facilitates access to opportunities that are truly transformative,” said Parjest Thevenard, study abroad advisor. “We are exceedingly proud of our students who continue to defy the odds and pursue their dreams.”

The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program funds internships or study abroad programs for undergraduate Pell Grant recipients. Since 2001, the Gilman Scholarship has enabled more than 34,000 Americans from 1,350 institutions, representing diverse backgrounds including ethnic minority students, students with disabilities, and first-generation college students, to study in 155 countries. Many Gilman Scholars point to their experience with the Gilman Scholarship as a pivotal point in their lives, significantly impacting their academic and career goals.

Applicants must not only describe how a specific program and destination will help them to achieve their academic and career goals, but how it will help them to create community impact both abroad and upon their return home. Each participant must design and complete a follow-on service project that draws on their experience abroad and connects to diverse groups of Americans.��

The program closely considers academic performance and aims for diversity of backgrounds and experience among recipients, placing special emphasis on students who may not be able to study abroad otherwise.��
The next deadline to apply for a Gilman scholarship for study abroad programs opens in mid-January and students are encouraged to apply. If you are interested in the Gilman scholarship for Study Abroad, learn more at gilmanscholarship.org, visit studyabroad.loyno.edu, and get in touch with the Center for International Education (cie@loyno.edu).
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