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Smith Number One in Fulbrights

With 14 Fulbright Fellowships awarded to Smith students in 2005, the college was the top producer among the nation’s bachelor’s institutions of recipients of the prestigious grant.

With a nearly 50 percent yield of winners from among its 31 applicants for the Fulbright Fellowship, Smith also ranked among the top colleges in terms of percentage.

The Fulbright program is the largest international exchange program offered in the United States, operating in more than 140 countries.

The November 4 issue of The Chronicle of Higher Education lists the top institutions that have produced Fulbright winners in a special section on the Fulbright Program. Wellesley College ranked third with nine Fulbright winners from 30 applicants in 2005; Mount Holyoke College is ranked ninth with six awards among 16 applicants. Vassar College also had six Fulbright scholars and Bryn Mawr, three.

In the category of research institutions, the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor was ranked number one with 26 award winners among 100 applicants.

The Fulbright award is a highly coveted scholarship given annually by the U.S. Department of State to support student projects and academic endeavors abroad. The Fulbright student scholarship, which was named after Senator J. William Fulbright, is intended for recent bachelor’s degree recipients, and master’s and doctoral candidates, as well as young professionals and artists.

Smith’s 14 Fulbrights shattered last year’s college record of nine. The Fulbright Fellows, who are engaged in their positions this fall in 11 different countries in Asia, Africa and Europe, include 11 2005 graduates, and alumnae from 2004, 2003 and 2001.