Academic Excellence

Tessa Sydnor earned a second opportunity to live in Korea and pursue her passion for the culture and art of the region. In 2013, she studied there as a Gilman Scholar. Sydnor received a Fulbright grant to teach in South Korea and represent the United States as a cultural ambassador.

Brandon Mayer was awarded a Fulbright-Nehru grant to study in India. A business major, Mayer spent nine months at Delhi University analyzing how foreign direct investment impacts local entrepreneurs. His goal was to identify the ideal level of investment that will help business development without creating dependency on aid.

Brieanah Gouveia, an art history major, studied at Nottingham Trent University in England as part of the Fulbright summer exchange program. Gouveia studied Nottingham's art, architecture and museums, volunteered in the community and prepared a final exhibition. She's drawn to art history, because it helps people better understand the world.

Daniel Osborne, a history major, studied at the universities of Dundee and Strathclyde in Scotland as part of the Fulbright summer exchange program. A musician, Osborne explored Scottish influence on the culture of the Appalachian Mountains, particularly with regard to Scottish folk music and folklore.

Computer Science major Thomas Lux

Learn how Roanoke gives achievers like Thomas Lux a chance to "jump ahead." Watch video.

Biology major Kayla Klingensmith

See why lobster research and service work with Habitat for Humanity prepared her for dental school. Watch video. 

Psychology majors Urecki, Tripp and Gladfelter 

Hear how undergraduate research gives these students an edge in jobs and grad school. Watch video.

Chemistry and Biochemistry majors Wojtera, Perkins and Wright

See how research builds their passion for careers in science. Watch video.

Martha Kuchar in Moldova. Dr. Martha Kuchar, chair of the Roanoke College English department, received a Fulbright Scholarship to teach in Eastern Europe, marking her second time as a recipient of this prestigious award. While there, Kuchar will consult on pedagogy with faculty at Ion Creanga Pedagogical State University, an English teaching resource center, and conduct research on East European literature.

Paul Handstedt, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education have named Dr. Paul Handstedt, professor of English at Roanoke College, as the 2014 Virginia Professor of the Year. Handstedt was selected from nearly 400 top professors. Dr. Handstedt received a Fulbright grant to with work with the Hong Kong Institution of Education in 2009-10.

Dr. Stella Xu, recipient of the prestigious Freeman Fellowship traveled to China with four Roanoke students to conduct research for a project, "Reinvented Tradition in the Age of Globalization: The Silk Road and its Legacy in Contemporary China." The students presented their research during the ASIA Network's annual conference in March 2013 in Nashville, TN.

Dr. James Peterson, Schumann Professor of Christian Ethics, was invited to be a member of the International Society for Science & Religion. The purpose of this exclusive society, with only 200 members worldwide, is to promote education through facilitating communication between the ideas of science and religion.