The Spire

Kate Santini ‘27

News Editor

     Founded in 1946 and funded by the U.S. Department of State, the Fulbright Program offers scholarships to a select few students distinguished for their academic merit and accomplishments. Regarded as among the most prestigious scholarships in the world, Fulbright alumni include Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, heads of state, and leaders in business and academia. Since 1965, Holy Cross has been recognized as a top producer of Fulbright Scholars, generating over 160 recipients.

     This year, Ackiara Chhim ’24, Anhthi Phan ’24, Angela Rusha ’23, Ashley Rodriguez Lantigua ’23, Chris Gjino ’23, Emma Grayeb ’24, Gigi Galanthay ’24, Liam Martin ’24, and Owen Whaley ’24 became Holy Cross’ newest Fulbright Scholars.

     Whaley says Dr. Anthony Cashman, coordinator of Distinguished Fellowships and Graduate Studies at Holy Cross, served as a tremendous source of support and guidance throughout the application process. He is also grateful to History professors Cynthia Hooper, Stephanie Yuhl, and Sahar Bazzaz, all of whom he says “offered vital feedback as I considered different programs and countries and fleshed out my application.”

     On the application process, Whaley says that he initially decided to pursue Fulbright upon returning from studying abroad in Scotland. “Going abroad was a life-changing experience, and I wanted to continue traveling and exploring new parts of the world after graduation,” he says. By May, he began continuously meeting with Dr. Cashman as he meticulously “edited, edited, edited” his application materials. Once he returned to campus for his senior year, he received further assistance from Dr. Hooper, herself a Fulbright alum. Her support, he says, was invaluable.

     Galanthay urges all students interested in Fulbright to take the leap. “My first piece of advice would be to definitely apply!” she says. She also recommends that students begin “the application process early, ideally over the summer, when you have more time than in the fall. The first draft you write will not be the last, so make sure to find people you trust and ask for feedback in order to create the best essays possible. At the end of the day, this is your application, so don’t shy away from personal anecdotes that highlight successes or challenges that you’ve experienced.”

     Likewise, Phan advises that aspiring Fulbright Scholars begin sooner rather than later. “Ideally, it would be helpful to get some drafts of your essays written before the fall semester starts,” he says. He adds,  “once the fall semester started, it was a little difficult to work on the essay along with all of my classwork and so I wish I had gotten a little further along with my essays.”

     During his Fulbright year, Whaley will be teaching English in Taiwan. While he has not yet received his specific placement, he says he is “thrilled to teach students of any age group, in any part of the country.”

     “I’ve been speaking with Holy Cross alumni who also completed the Taiwan program,” he adds, “and they’ve shared so much helpful information and tips with me. I already have so many ideas in mind for lessons and class activities!”

     Galanthay will be conducting mathematics research in Leipzig, Germany. “While I am in Leipzig, I’ll be working on a project related to the effects of social media on democracy,” she says. “In particular, I will use network theory to model the spread of information sharing on social media platforms.”

     Galanthay adds, “Fulbright is a chance for me to combine two of my passions – Mathematics and German language and culture. I hope that this opportunity will help me discern my research interests, as well as provide me with crucial skills that I will need in my future as a researcher.” 

     Phan will be teaching English to college students in Nha Trang, Vietnam. There, “I’ll also be engaging in non-teaching activities and have the chance to join and lead student clubs at the university, and to facilitate community projects,” he says.

     He is excited to “learn about Vietnamese culture and its people through community and cultural activities while also showing them American culture.”

     The Fulbright Scholars are all thrilled about the journey ahead. “As I enter this next chapter of my life,” Galanthay shares, “I am incredibly excited for the experience and challenge of living in Germany for a year. I think that my study abroad experiences have prepared me for this next chapter, although I am nervous about the unknowns that await me in Leipzig.”

     “I’m really excited about the opportunity to go to my parent’s home country and get the chance to experience it on a deeper level,” Phan says. “I’ve been there a couple of times with my family and it was great but I’m looking forward to forming my own experiences and connection with the culture and the people! With the excitement, I definitely feel nervous too because I’ll be away from all my friends and family for a year.”

     Still, Phan is confident that “home will always be there and this opportunity would be really difficult to pass up. I knew I would regret not accepting the award and so I did and I’m really looking forward to it!” 

     The Fulbright Scholarship will surely impact these scholars’ future careers and lives. Students interested in the program are encouraged to contact Dr. Cashman at the Office of Distinguished Fellowships & Graduate Studies.