By Ryan Gilroy ’19, Staff writer

Earlier this semester, Lebanon Valley College announced a record of seven Fulbright semi-finalists, the most in the College’s history. As the year comes to a close, the recipients of the Fulbright scholarship will be announced soon, potentially changing student’s lives forever.

The Fulbright Program was established in 1946 by J. William Fulbright, a former senator who represented Arkansas from 1945 to 1974. He proposed the idea as legislation in 1945 and was signed by President Harry Truman one year later.

Many students at LVC apply for the scholarship because of its notoriety around the world and from the experiences others have shared. LVC Fulbright winners include: Hannah Pell ’16 (Austria), Megan Lough ’17 (Bulgaria), Jasmine Olvany ’17 (Hungary), Audrey Reiley ’18 (Malaysia), Kristy Sonberg ’18 (South Korea) and Katie Hockenbury ’18 (Wales).

Calyn Lutz, a senior Spanish major, was one of the seven semi-finalists named at LVC. Her journey toward becoming a semi-finalist started before her senior year.

“I first heard about the scholarship when my previous roommate Audrey Reiley was applying,” Lutz said. “She is currently serving as an English Teaching Assistant in Malaysia. I was so inspired by her application and when she found out she won the award!”

Reiley ’18, an art and art history major, won the award last April. She applied to be an English Teaching Assistant in Malaysia after her experience studying abroad in Italy and curating an art gallery exhibit at the Suzanne H. Arnold Art Gallery. Her award proved to Lutz that she can do the same, while simultaneously paying homage to her friend and former roommate.

“I decided to apply for a Fulbright scholarship because I knew I wanted the opportunity to immerse myself in a different culture, improve my Spanish language skills and make a change as a global citizen,” Lutz said. “I had such an amazing and rewarding experience during my time studying abroad in the Dominican Republic, which motivated me to want to continue living abroad.”

Lutz’s application process took time to complete, as she recalls it being lengthy in time and in writing.

“I began my application in July and submitted it in September,” Lutz said. “The application was difficult, but it was an amazing learning experience. It really helped me when applying for other jobs and scholarships.”

The Fulbright scholarship offers three different types of awards: Study/research, an English Teaching Assistant and Special Programs for Digital Storytelling Fellowships. Lutz applied for an English teaching award in Mexico, as her experience studying abroad and work she’s done as an educator proved to be the determining factors in applying.

“I am currently a Spanish major with a concentration in K-12 education, so I really wanted to opportunity to learn more about education in Latin America, specifically in Mexico,” Lutz said. “Many students who I have taught in the past are from Mexico, so the opportunity to be a teaching assistant in the country would help me better understand the language and culture of potential future students.”

According to their website, the mission of the Fulbright Program is the “promotion of international good will through the exchange of students in the fields of education, culture, and science.” The program awards approximately 8,000 scholarships annually, with 1,600 going to students across the U.S.

After Lutz finished her application in September, she continued to prove herself again, justifying her desire to study abroad once more.

“I had to complete an interview all in Spanish via Skype with Comexus, the binational program in charge of Fulbright Scholarships between Mexico and U.S.,” Lutz said. “It was difficult and the first interview I’ve ever done completely in Spanish. However, it was a great learning experience and will help me prepare for future interviews.”

Since its inception in 1946, the program has given over 360,000 “Fulbrighters” the opportunity to participate in international graduate study, advanced research, university teaching and primary and secondary school teaching in over 160 countries worldwide.

When asked about her reaction after being named a semi-finalist, she recalled it as a humbling experience.

“I was so excited and felt so honored!” Lutz said. “Even though I was only a semi-finalist, I was still shocked I even made it that far. I immediately notified and thanked Dr. Walker, Dr. Guzman-Zavala, Dr. Tacelosky, Jill Russell, Dr. Silva, and Dr. Benesch for all they have done to help with my application. Without their recommendations or reviews, it never would have happened. I am so grateful for all of my professors at LVC, because without them I never would have made it this far.”

When asked if she would win the scholarship, she said that it would change her life forever.

“I would feel so grateful and humbled to win the scholarship,” Lutz said. “There are so many amazing and talented candidates across the country, and I feel so honored just to be a part of them as a semi-finalist.”

Finalists for the Fulbright scholarship will be announced by the end of April.