Two awarded prestigious Gilman International Scholarship
Wade Anthony ’24 and Crystal Hernandez ’23 have been awarded the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship from the U.S. Department of State to support a semester of study abroad this fall.
Named in honor of the late New York congressman Benjamin A. Gilman, the scholarship supports undergraduates who might not otherwise participate in study abroad programs due to financial constraints, providing them with the opportunity to study languages and develop skills critical to national security and economic prosperity.
Anthony, an international relations major, economics minor and scholar in the Peace and Conflict Pathway from Chestertown, Maryland, will study at the Institute of Economics and Political Studies in London, England.
“As an international relations major, studying abroad was a major goal of mine in order to develop a new perspective beyond that of the United States on global issues. I hope to use this new perspective to deepen and diversify my work in the classroom at Conn,” Anthony said.
“I am also hoping to pursue a career in the Foreign Service after college, so gaining international experience will be essential to effectively representing the United States abroad in the future.”
Anthony, who grew up in a small, rural community, says he is looking forward to experiencing life in “one of the world’s most important cities.” The experience will also mark the first time the rising junior has traveled outside of the U.S.
On campus, Anthony is a member of the varsity sailing team.
Hernandez, a sociology, Hispanic studies, and gender, sexuality and intersectionality studies triple major from Houston, Texas, will study in Ciudad Real, Spain.
After her original plans to study in South America were interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Hernandez says she was drawn to the program in Spain by faculty connections and the experiences of her fellow classmates. She says she is particularly excited to work on her Spanish language skills.
On campus, Hernandez is a member of M.E.Ch.A., a student organization that promotes higher education, culture and history; Las Voces Unidas; and the Women of Color Collective. She has also served in a variety of roles within the Division of Institutional Equity and Inclusion (DIEI), including as a program coordinator for Genesis, a pre-orientation program for underrepresented students; a Gund Dialogue Facilitator; and an intern with the Center for the Critical Study of Race and Ethnicity. When she returns from study abroad, Hernandez will resume her role as a Gund Dialogue Facilitator and will serve as a DIEI Signature Programs Fellow and a Hale Career Center Fellow.
Connecticut College offers a wide range of fellowship opportunities for students and recent graduates. For more information, visit The Walter Commons or email fellowships@conncoll.edu.
