Lafayette again named top producer of U.S. Fulbright students

Lafayette College has once again been ranked among the colleges and universities producing the most U.S. Fulbright students for the 2024-25 academic year, according to an announcement this week by the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. 

Fulbright is the government’s flagship international educational exchange program. Top-producing institutions, a designation begun in 2009-10, are highlighted annually in The Chronicle of Higher Education. 

Since 1946, the Fulbright program has provided more than 400,000 talented and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals of all backgrounds with the opportunity to study, teach, and conduct research abroad. 

Lafayette previously received the honor for 2011-12, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2017-18, 2020-21, and 2022-23.

Six students from Lafayette’s applicant pool of 15 received Fulbright awards for 2024-25, and another three were named as alternates. 

The awardees are:

• Johnathan Cresson ’24 (English teaching assistantship [ETA], Germany)
• Evaline Bearce ’24 (ETA, Germany)
• Skye Loures ’24 (ETA, North Macedonia)
• Stefano Mancini ’20 (ETA, Mexico)
• Mariama Bah ’24 (independent research in Brazil)
• Elias Podber ’24 (to conduct research and teach English in Austria)

The following were finalists:

• Lidya Abebe ’22 (graduate study in the United Kingdom)
• Serafina Rivera ’24 (study + independent research in Iceland)
• Azalea Danes ’24 (independent research in Chile and Bolivia)

This year’s semifinalists, whose applications are now in the hands of their respective host country, are awaiting the award status. They are: 

• Rylee Bordwick ’25 (ETA, Romania)
• Alexa Jindal ’25 (ETA, Taiwan)
• Ani Khachadourian ’25 (ETA, Czech Republic)
• Olivia Puzio ’25 (ETA, Poland)
• Shreya Suresh ’25 (Fulbright Nehru Open Study/Research Award, to conduct independent research in India)
• Eva Mei Vogt ’25 (to conduct independent research in Jordan)

These six semifinalists were selected from Lafayette’s applicant pool for this year of 15. 

Fulbright student grantees spend 9-12 months teaching English and U.S. culture, earning graduate degrees at many of the world’s leading universities, or participating in independent research under the mentorship of their host country’s scholars. Throughout their Fulbright year, they hone their knowledge and appreciation of other regions of the world while gaining a deeper understanding of their own country and its role in the international landscape. 

“Every year I am honored to work with aspiring students and alumni in their pursuit of Fulbright and other prestigious scholarships and fellowships,” says Julia Goldberg, associate dean of advising and co-curricular programs, noting that Lafayette’s commitment to intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, multicultural awareness, and the exchange of ideas lays the foundation for their pursuit. 

“I look forward to engaging future applicants, regardless of class year, to embark on this journey,” she says. “As our current, former, and future Fulbright Grantees will attest, the application process alone promotes personal and professional development alongside the refinement of their goals and aspirations.”

The Fulbright Student Program is open to graduating seniors and alumni with no age restriction. Interested applicants should contact Julia Goldberg, associate dean of advising and co-curricular programs. For information on campus application procedures, visit the Scholarships and Fellowships Office website.