Eight undergraduate students from West Virginia University have been awarded Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships, allowing them to study abroad without the burden of financial constraints. This opportunity is part of a competitive national program funded by the U.S. State Department, which aims to enhance students’ global education experiences.
In addition to six recipients announced earlier this year, these students will embark on enriching journeys across various countries. Cate Johnson, assistant director of the ASPIRE Office, emphasized the value of international travel in education, stating, “International travel is one of the most impactful learning experiences that an undergraduate student can engage in. It’s exciting to see so many WVU students taking advantage of Gilman Scholarship funding year after year.”
The latest recipients of the Gilman Scholarships are:
- Chelsea Elliott, a senior landscape architecture major from Morgantown, traveling to Western Europe.
- Shawna Hart, a Bridgeport native in the Regents Bachelor of Arts program, traveling to the United Kingdom.
- Kevin Harter, a freshman geography major from Ballwin, Missouri, traveling to New Zealand.
- Chyanne Reid, a senior biochemistry student from Martinsburg, traveling to Ireland.
- Christopher Smith, a junior biomedical engineering major from Point Pleasant, traveling to Panama in 2025 as part of the WVU Global Medical and Dental Brigades.
- Mary Margaret “Maggie” Stakem, a junior sports and adventure media major from Wheeling, traveling to Spain.
- Sabrina Thorn, a sophomore health services management and leadership major from McMechen, traveling on a future WVU-sponsored trip.
- Braeden Thornton, a freshman pre-nursing major from North East, Pennsylvania, traveling to Cyprus.
The ASPIRE Office at WVU provides support for students interested in applying for this and other national competitive awards. Students seeking guidance can contact the office via email at aspire@mail.wvu.edu to arrange an appointment.
