Mississippi Chapter of the Fulbright Association celebrates formation at MSU
Mississippi State University Provost and Executive Vice President Judy Bonner (right) presents a cowbell to Allan Goodman, president of the Institute of International Education. Goodman was the keynote speaker during the March 31 kick-off event for the Mississippi Chapter of the Fulbright Association. Sarah Tewolde | Public Affairs
Fulbright alumni and friends in Mississippi now have a statewide organization to help promote and advance the flagship international exchange program.
The Mississippi Chapter of the Fulbright Association hosted a kick-off event March 31 to celebrate its formation at The Mill at MSU Conference Center. Richard Nader, MSU associate vice president for international programs and executive director of the International Institute, helped organize the Mississippi chapter.
“I’m just thrilled that we could organize a statewide chapter of the Fulbright Association,” Nader said. “The Fulbright Association promotes international exchange, cultural exchange and transforms lives. The program is open to all students and faculty.”
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Fulbright program is designed to increase mutual understanding between Americans and the international community. The Fulbright Association extends the international exchange experience by connecting alumni of student and faculty Fulbright programs. The Mississippi Chapter of the Fulbright Association is one of approximately 50 chapters across the U.S.
During Friday’s event, Institute for International Education President Allan Goodman delivered a keynote speech on the importance of international exchange. He commended MSU for its efforts to increase study abroad opportunities and for having a student and recent alumnus named Fulbright award finalists earlier this month.
“Behind every Fulbrighter is someone that will come back to Mississippi, or wherever they are from, and transform that environment,” Goodman said. “The Fulbright program allows people in 150 different countries to get to know an American, not a Hollywood portrayal.”
The chapter kick-off included representatives from Jackson State University, the University of Mississippi and the University of Southern Mississippi, in addition to MSU. Peter Vanderwater, director of outreach for the Fulbright Scholar Program, led a workshop on suggestions for applying for Fulbright awards and the benefits of promoting Fulbright programs on campuses. He encouraged attendees to look at existing international partnerships at their universities for potential Fulbright opportunities.
“Universities are often linked globally, which is a good way to get your foot in the door,” Vanderwater said.
Fulbright Association Board President Nancy Neill, a Calhoun City native, helped officially dedicate the Mississippi Chapter of the Fulbright Association and encouraged Fulbright alumni to join the organization.
For more on the Fulbright Association, visit www.fulbright.org.
More information on the MSU International Institute can be found at www.international.msstate.edu.
MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.
James Carskadon | Public Affairs
