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Ramapo Senior Selected for Fulbright U.S. Student Award to Spain

(PDF) (DOC) (JPG)April 24, 2012

(MAHWAH, NJ) – Senior Nora Dougherty ’12, an International Studies student with a minor in Political Science, Spanish, and Human Rights and Genocide, received an English Teaching Assistant grant from the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.  Dougherty will spend nine months in Spain teaching English and “improving knowledge of the United States” beginning in September 2012.  The Fulbright scholarship is the first awarded to a Ramapo College student.

Established in 1946 and sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, the Fulbright Program is the largest U.S. international exchange program that offers opportunities to students, scholars, and professionals for graduate study, advanced research, and elementary, secondary, and university teaching across the globe.

“We could not be more proud of Nora and her tremendous accomplishment,” said Ramapo College President Peter P. Mercer. “Her hard work, discipline and commitment to lifelong learning will serve her well throughout her career.”

Dougherty, of Middletown, NJ, studied abroad in Sevilla, Spain in spring 2010, knew she wanted to return “to the country that changed [her] life.”

“The encouragement by Dr. Aaron Lorenz, the Roukema Center, all my professors, the people I work with, as well as my family [and] friends was tremendous,” said Dougherty. “I could never have done it without them. As for what it means to me, I think it just confirmed the choices that I made throughout my four years [at Ramapo].”

“One cannot overstate the level of competition that Nora was up against from students across the country,” said Director of the Office of Fellowships and Scholarships and Faculty Program Advisor for the Fulbright Program for U.S. Students Professor Aaron Lorenz. “The Fulbright remains one of the most prestigious fellowships in the world and we are delighted that the committee recognized the work Nora has done to place her in such a competitive position.”

Lorenz noted that Dougherty, in addition to teaching English to students, will conduct research that she will ultimately use for graduate school admission, most likely in fall 2013.

Professor of International Politics Cliff Peterson, Dougherty’s International Studies academic advisor, said he was impressed by Dougherty when she arrived on campus and delighted she chose International Studies as her major. “Those early impressions have more than been fulfilled,” said the professor. “A Fulbright award is one of the most prestigious and selective awards for a graduate.  It brings honor to Nora for her hard work and passion and reflects well on our undergraduate program and the college as a whole.”

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program competition for grants for late summer and fall 2013 will be available on May 1, 2012.

For more information about the Fulbright Program for U.S. Students or to apply to the Fulbright U.S. Student competition, please visit http://us.fulbrightonline.org/.

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About Ramapo College

Ramapo College of New Jersey is the state’s premier public liberal arts college and is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. The comprehensive college is situated among the beautiful Ramapo Mountains, is within commuting distance to New York City, was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America by CondeNast Traveler, and boasts the best on-campus housing in New Jersey per Niche.com. Established in 1969, Ramapo College offers bachelor’s degrees in the arts, business, data science, humanities, social sciences and the sciences, as well as in professional studies, which include business, education, nursing and social work. In addition, the College offers courses leading to teacher certification at the elementary and secondary levels, and offers graduate programs leading to master’s degrees in Accounting, Applied Mathematics, Business Administration, Contemporary Instructional Design, Computer Science, Creative Music Technology, Data Science, Educational Leadership, Nursing, Social Work and Special Education, as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

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